Homeschooled children and their parents can add a new adventure to their curriculum—museums! Key West Art & Historical Society launches their latest education program— Museums for Homeschoolers— offering a unique, two-hour workshop on the first Tuesday of every month for homeschooling families this Fall.

Society Director of Education Adele Williams will guide participants in a day of museum antics and hands-on, inquiry-based learning and provide families with opportunities to explore the various museums and their artifacts, dioramas, and immersive exhibits.

“Studies show that students who attend an art and history museum experience an increase in critical thinking skills, historical empathy, and tolerance,” says Williams. “The Society is fortunate to have the facilities and means to provide engaging programs that address these attributes, and we are glad to be able to offer new and exciting approaches to education to the homeschool community.”

The first workshop on October 4 will take place at the Custom House Museum and will focus on the current “Pencil Me In” exhibit of America’s premier Cuban-American folk artist, Mario Sanchez, depicting the elaborate brown paper bag sketches that Sanchez drew before beginning his intaglio’s. After the tour, the students will have the opportunity to paint and draw their own Key West memories on brown paper bags, emulating the style of Mario Sanchez. The November 1 workshop will take place in the Garrison (the designated workshop space within the Fort) at Fort East Martello, where students will learn the story behind the Mexican tradition Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and decorate their own Calavera de azúcar (sugar skull) while learning about their role in celebrating and memorializing loved ones that have passed on. The final fall workshop on December 6 will take place in the Garrison and will feature “Cool Wool Felting”— an age-old tradition of wet felting to create objects such as soaps, bowls, and balls.

Museums for Homeschoolers runs from 2:00PM to 4:00PM on October 4, November 1, and December 6 and is $10 per session for members and $15 for non-members which includes all supplies. Detailed descriptions of the various sessions and registration information can be found at KWAHS.ORG/LEARN or by calling Adele Williams, Director of Education at 305.295.6616 extension 115. Register now for your spot in these limited space classes. Your museums. Your community. It takes an island.