This fall, the LSU Museum of Art will launch Art Break, a new series of wellness-focused programs designed to give teens and adults an opportunity to slow down, get creative, and spend meaningful time with art. Made possible through a Learning & Engagement Grant from Art Bridges Foundation, the series will offer a variety of hands-on experiences that encourage creativity, connection, and well-being.
We sat down with Callie Smith, Curator of Education & Public Programs, to learn more about Art Break and what participants can expect.
What inspired the museum to create Art Break, and why was it important to create a program for both teens and adults?
CS: This program grew out of an initial Art Break series developed in collaboration with Kayla Baudoin, a licensed social worker at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, starting in January 2025. The premise was simple: making art feels good and is a great way to take a break, especially for students, faculty, and staff in high-stress degree programs like veterinary medicine.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with participants sharing just how much they needed that playful pick-me-up. I was deeply moved to see the joy and sense of pride everyone took in their creations. Most participants returned monthly, and many mentioned that they display artwork from previous sessions in their homes or offices.
When the opportunity arose for Learning and Engagement support from Art Bridges Foundation, expanding the Art Break series felt like a natural next step. When looking at community art programming, much of what is offered is geared toward young children and families. Options for teens and adults tend to be structured classes, multi-week workshops, or paid experiences. While those programs are wonderful, we wanted to offer something low-stress, accessible, and completely free. By offering programs both at the museum and through community outreach, we hope to meet people where they are and give them a restorative, creative outlet.
Callie Smith, Curator of Education and Public Programs, leading an art tour to a group of visitors in the Folk Art Gallery at the LSU Museum of Art.
When someone comes to their first Art Break, what can they expect? Walk us through what the experience will look like, from where they will meet to what they will do during the program.
CS: When you arrive at the Shaw Center for the Arts, you can dive right in. No pre-registration or tickets are needed. It is entirely free and drop-in style, so you can join us anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.
Your visit can start on either the third or fifth floor.
On the third floor, we will have art activities and live music. Whether you want to slow down and create, or just try out a medium for fifteen minutes, the space is set up to be low pressure and welcoming.
On the fifth floor, visitors will have a chance to see the exhibitions and learn about the Folk Art Gallery. In the Folk Art Gallery, trained gallery educators will be on hand to share stories behind the artwork, chat about the collection, or answer any questions you have.
You are welcome to move freely between both spaces throughout the event. Because this is a brand-new series, we are keeping things flexible and will continue to adapt based on community feedback. Whether you come with friends or show up solo to decompress, you can expect a warm, laid-back atmosphere centered on creativity and connection.
Each Art Break has a different focus. What are the programs centered around, and what kinds of activities will participants do to explore that theme?
CS: Our primary inspiration comes from artwork on view in our Folk Art Gallery. These works are the foundation for the program because each of the featured artists created art because it felt essential and meaningful to living a life true to who they are. The art in the Folk Art Gallery offers an inspiring reminder that art can support every dimension of who we are, whether that is expressing our sense of freedom, identity, spirituality, or care for one another.
Each session features a unique hands-on experience, including watercolor painting, sculpting, collage, felting, and more.
The watercolor activity inspired by the artwork of Purvis Young, a featured artist in the Folk Art Gallery, for the Art Break program on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the LSU Museum of Art.
What do you hope participants take away from Art Break?
CS: I hope participants leave feeling refreshed, grounded, and more confident in their ability to embrace creativity in their daily lives. The ultimate win for us is if someone continues to paint, sketch, or craft at home after the event because Art Break sparked a new passion for them.
When I talk to adults, so many express a desire to make more time for creative expression and already have ideas of what they would love to do. My hope is that Art Break serves as a low stress, supportive experience, whether that means helping someone kickstart a brand-new creative journey or providing a dedicated space to help sustain an ongoing artistic habit.
I also hope that visitors experience the museum as a welcoming space and feel even more comfortable returning in the future.
ART BREAK AT THE MUSEUM 2026–2027 SCHEDULE
Check out the full schedule of Art Break at the Museum programs. This program is free for teens and adults. We hope to see you at the museum!
Art as an act of SPIRIT on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 1–4 PM
Create a watercolor artwork inspired by the work of Purvis Young, a self-taught artist who painted with spiritual urgency from whatever materials he could find.
Art as an act of FREEDOM on Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 1–4 PM
Make a sculpture inspired by the work of David Butler, a self-taught artist whose cutouts and dynamic forms remind us that freedom is something we can shape with our own hands.Art as an expression of IDENTITY on Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 1–4 PM
Create a collage inspired by the work of Mose Tolliver, a self taught artist who developed a bold visual language.Art as an act of CARE on Saturday, December 12, 2026 from 1–4 PM
Make a textile artwork inspired by the work of Mary T. Smith, a self-taught artist whose practice was an act of independence and tender witness.Art as an act of HARMONY on Saturday, January 23, 2027 from 1–4 PM
Create a mixed-media drawing inspired by self-taught artist Jimmy Lee Sudduth, who used materials like mud, sugar, and found scraps of wood to create paintings of his world.Art as an act of HEALING on Saturday, February 20, 2027 from 1–4 PM
Make a friendship bracelet inspired by self-taught artist Sam Doyle’s paintings of friends, family members, and leaders of his community.Art as an act of RESILIENCE on Sunday, March 7, 2027 from 1–4 PM
Experiment with printmaking to create multiple images through repetition, inspired by the resilience of the artists in the Folk Art Gallery.Art as an expression of VOICE on Saturday, April 17, 2027 from 1–4 PM
Create a zine to tell your own story through visuals and creative writing, inspired by the artists of the Folk Art Gallery.
About these programs: Drop-in and create art during these programs. No experience necessary. This is a wellness-focused program for teens and adults. A docent will be stationed in the Folk Art Gallery so you can learn more about the works and artists on view. These programs are centered around artworks in the Folk Art Gallery that were generously lent by the American Folk Art Museum, New York, as part of Art Bridges Foundation’s Partner Loan Network. Support for this program is provided by Art Bridges.
The LSU Museum of Art is located at 100 Lafayette Street, Shaw Center for the Arts, Downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801. If you have any questions about these programs, call 225-578-3000 or email artmuseum@lsu.edu.