The Houston Museum’s education program fosters an understanding and appreciation of the decorative arts with a variety of outreach classes. Interactive classes highlight the objects of the Victorian era in the museum’s collection, explain how these pieces were crafted and consider their influence on the lifestyles and social customs of their time.
Museum representatives go to respective locations and provide all of the materials needed for students to create their own works of art. All of the programs include study guides and are designed to meet national art standards.
Each presentation lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. Over 75 decorative arts lessons are available that correlate to the following classroom presentations. If your class has already experienced a particular project, call about ideas for one of the new ones. The museum can also “customize” a presentation depending on your students’ needs and abilities.
The museum is now offering new activities along with past favorites.
Students and other participants will enjoy and benefit from these enrichment opportunities!
For more information and bookings call:
Stephanie Owensby, Education Coordinator, (423) 267-7176
Or e-mail houston@chattanooga.net
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“The World of Glass”
Students of all ages will love learning about the science, history and technique of glassmaking as they
study the Houston's vast collection and make a decorative glass craft in this exciting class.
Projects can include: glass mosaic, mobile, glass jewelry, recycled glass expressions, Victorian
ornaments, "stained glass" votives and many others.
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“Hand Building with Clay”
Introduce your students to the origins of pottery making. This exciting program highlights some of the
museum's fascinating ceramic pieces as students use the coil, pinch or slab methods to create their own
masterpieces. Projects can include: pinch pots, tile design, face mugs or garden sundials.
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“Animal Symbols”
Discover why animal images have been incorporated into the decorative arts throughout history. Students
consider the importance of animals in art, view a variety of artistic mediums and create a craft
highlighting their own animal symbol in this nature-inspired class. Projects may include: endangered
species recognition, animal wall hangings, scrap wood sculpture, pet portraits, printmaking and
many more.
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“Victorian Tea Party*”
Always a favorite! Everyone will love this lively "time travel" back to a formal tea party. Students learn
about inventions of the 1800s and are introduced to proper Victorian manners, customs and lifestyle as
they are served tea by a Victorian attired hostess. Projects may include: handmade stationery or cards,
silhouettes or cameo jewelry, Victorian fans, paper dolls, potpourri sachets and many, many more.
Note: Victorian Holiday Celebrations will include an appropriate holiday craft and may be scheduled with
or without tea service.
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“Heirlooms, Memories & Collectibles”
Why do we keep certain things? What importance or connections do things hold? Why are things passed down
from generation to generation? These are just a few of the questions discussed as we explore our ties to
past, present and future. Students will learn about unusual items in the Houston Museum's collection,
discuss their own collections and keepsakes and create a personal memento in this workshop. Projects
include: Victorian keepsake boxes, family tree or personal coat of arms, handmade book or journal,
keepsake ornament, portraiture, silhouette frames, time capsules and many more.
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“Occupational Shaving Mugs”
Students explore early advertising and trades as they compare and contrast jobs and gender roles of the
Victorian era with those of today. Participants will create their own occupational mugs in this fun
and informative program.
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“Victorian Music and Music Boxes”
Learn about the history and operation of antique music boxes in this melodious class. Students will
compare songs and lyrics of the Victorian era with today's music and explore how music reflects
social and cultural life. Students will build their own music boxes (for a higher supply fee).
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“American Textiles”
This program introduces the Houston's collection of antique woven coverlets, samplers and quilts,
and the fascinating history and stories behind this traditional art form. Students will learn about
natural materials and methods used in weaving, dyeing and sewing textiles, then get to try their hand
at weaving on a small loom, learn a quilting stitch or dye materials to use in their own textile
craft. Projects include: woven rag or printed wall hangings, natural weavings, rustic samplers,
bandanna design and crazy quilt fabric collages, among many others.
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“Collaborative Quilt Making Residency”
Learn all about quilts and design one for your class, school or community. Students plan and design
their special quilt as a group based on any desired subject while learning quilting history, techniques
and tradition along with basic sewing terms and stitches. Each person will contribute one block to the
final piece made by drawing, painting or printing on fabric. Note: This project has special pricing.
Please call for details.
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- The museum offers seasonally themed programming. New classes are always being added, so please call
for seasonal class list.
- Note to teachers, education coordinators or leaders: Have a project idea or special area of
study? Let us know and we can build a program around it!
- Houston Museum educational classes meet all national arts education standards and can be suited
to any subject of study and all age groups.
- The Houston Museum is pleased to now accommodate student outings and field trips (up to 40
participants at a time, please, grades 4 and up). Call for group pricing.
Student Program Fees:
Programs are $50.00 per presentation for up to 25 students with a small art supply fee of $2.00
per student. *The Victorian Tea Party is $55.00 per class with $2.00 per student for food and paper
products. The museum requires a miniumum of 10 paid participants per program.
Adult Program Fees:
Programs are $55.00 per presentation for up to 25 students with a small art supply fee of $2.00 per
participant. The museum requires a minimum of 10 paid participants per program.
Museum staff brings all lessons and project materials to your school or location. Mileage is
charged for travel beyond 20 miles. With questions or to schedule programming please contact
Stephanie Owensby, Education Coordinator, at (423) 267-7176.
