Join us for Sketchfest, a celebration of creativity and character design for all ages! Experience hands-on drawing workshops, colorful competitions, animation-inspired art stations, and a live mural creation with artist Ian Bode. Whether you're sketching your favorite cartoon character, molding clay, or racing through color theory, there's something to inspire every budding artist.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Mural-Making with Ian Bode
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Art Studio
Watch artist Ian Bode create a large-scale mural live—and help bring it to life! Guests are invited to grab a brush and contribute to this collaborative work of art. No experience necessary, just bring your creativity.

Draw Your Favorite Character
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Classrooms A/B
Learn to draw a childhood favorite with guidance from our educators. In this hour-long workshop, you’ll follow step-by-step instructions to sketch beloved cartoon or comic characters using lines, shapes, and shading techniques.

Rainbow Race: A Color Theory Challenge
12:00 PM and 2:00 PM | Grand Lobby
Test your knowledge of color mixing in this fast-paced, interactive game. Stand on the correct color combinations before time runs out—mix red and blue? Find purple! Last one standing wins a big prize, and all participants receive a colorful keychain.

Zoetrope Animation Station
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Ticketing Lobby
Bring your drawings to life! Create your own zoetrope strip, then test it inside a real spinning zoetrope to see your animated loop in motion.

Animated Character Clay Figures
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Ticketing Lobby
From sketch to sculpture—design a clay figure of a favorite animated character and bring your creation home! This hands-on activity lets kids and families shape their own version of a beloved screen character. All materials included.

Animationland is presented with support by Baird Charleston, Bernard H. & Blanche E. Jacobson Foundation, Encova Insurance, Friends of Clay Center, and Daywood Foundation in collaboration with OMSI.

This event is free with museum admission.