Albany Museum of Art hosts Christmas holidays art workshop for children

ALBANY — The fourth Libby Womack Holiday Workshop starts today at the Albany Museum of Art, and there’s still time for late sign-ups for the three-day art camp for students who are out of school for the Christmas break, AMA officials say.

Intended for grades K4-5 with smaller work groups set up by age and grade level, the camp offers hands-on art experiences, crafts and games. Participants can sign up for half-day or full-day sessions and can attend one or all three days. There is free early drop-off and late pickup.

The workshop, sponsored by Jim Womack, offers gallery explorations, art instruction and fun art-making projects. Different instruction and activities are planned each day to help keep kids interested if they attend multiple days.

The workshop is named in memory of the late Libby Womack, a longtime friend, educator and trustee at the Albany Museum of Art whose husband, Jim, of 39 years is a trustee for the museum.

“Libby was very passionate about education and art and believed art was critical to development and in opening up the children’s minds, particularly early grade-level children,” Womack said. “She was totally committed to the museum and public education, always seeking ways to bring kids into the museum, including working with the county school system on field trips to the museum.”

Libby Womack graduated with honors from the University of Georgia before earning her master’s degree from Emory University. She received her lifetime teaching certificate in mathematics and science, and taught middle school and high school in Dougherty County. She also taught at Mercer University’s Atlanta campus.

“Libby Womack strongly believed in academic coaching and tutoring and began organizing programs for underprivileged students in Dougherty County, one of the reasons she was once named Dougherty County’s Woman of the Year,” AMA officials said.

“She was unbelievable; I never understood where she got all of her energy from,” Jim Womack said. “The work she did at the museum for the kids paid dividends in their lives. After she became ill, several former students, parents and teachers let her know how impactful and enriching her work was in their lives.”

The cost for the workshop for museum members is $35 for a full day and $20 for a half-day. The cost for non-members is $40, full day, or $25, half-day.

For details and registration information, visit www.albanymuseum.com or call (229) 439-8400. Space is limited. The Albany Museum of Art is located at 311 Meadowlark Drive. Museum hours through Feb. 24 are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. The AMA will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1.