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Family Program | Pencils & Paws: Drawing with Zentangle and REading with Therapy Dogs

Drop in to the museum on the second Saturday of each month for hands-on family activities!  

In April, join us for a fun and relaxing day of drawing patterns and reading with therapy dogs! Instructors will teach you how to make creative patterns through the Zentangle method that allows people of all ages to express their creativity and enjoy the art-making process—no art experience necessary. Pair your drawing with a sensory-friendly opportunity to read aloud with certified therapy dogs from New York Therapy Animals.

Exhibition Exploration

Visit Made in America: The Industrial Photography of Christopher Payne to see how things are made, from pencils to pianos to airplanes, with a self-guided scavenger hunt.

Design Activity (11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.)

  • Join a Zentangle drawing session at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. to experience a fun and calming method of making structured patterns. Each session will be approximately 45 minutes.
  • Take home a mini set of pencils from General Pencil – the Jersey City factory spotlighted in Made in America.
  • No experience necessary; space is limited for each session. First come, first seated.

Goldendoodle dog wears a red neckerchief with the words New York Therapy AnimalsSensory-Friendly Reading Sessions (12:30-1:30 p.m.)

  • Sign up in person on the day of for a 10-minute reading session with certified therapy dogs from New York Therapy Animals. Slots are limited.
  • Build confidence in your reading abilities as you read aloud to your new furry friend. Recommended for kids with reading levels consistent with ages 5-12.

Access Hour (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon)

  • The first hour of family drop-ins is generally quieter and less crowded.
  • Additional staff experienced in conducting accessible workshops will be present during this hour. Families will have access to sensory supports and adaptive materials. We’d love for you to join us for some structured fun!

Family drop-in activities are designed for youth ages 5–12 and their adult guardian/caregivers. Family programs are included in the price of museum admission, and youth 18 and under are always free.

ABOUT ZENTANGLE

The Zentangle method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns called tangles. You create tangles with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. The session will be led by artists Molly Hollibaugh and Martha Huggins.

ABOUT New York Therapy Animals

New York Therapy Animals, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3, New York City based affiliate organization of Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA). New York Therapy Animals is the official NYC affiliate of the R.E.A.D.® Reading Education Assistance Dogs® children’s literacy program exclusively serving Manhattan and the boroughs. The mission of the R.E.A.D. program is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered and insured therapy dog teams as literacy mentors.

ACCESSIBILITY & WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Format: This is a drop-in style workshop for youth ages 5-12 and their adult guardian/family. You will be guided by staff from Bushwick Print Lab and museum educators who will help you to make a design. To join a Zentangle drawing session, we recommend arriving a few minutes before the start time (either 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.). All materials will be provided. Adults must stay with their youth during the activity and are encouraged to participate. Registration is not required, but first come, first seated.
  • About the space: This program will take place in Cooper Hewitt’s Lecture Room on the ground floor of the museum. It is fully wheelchair accessible. There will be group seating at tables. There is an accessible restroom on the ground floor. Reading with therapy dogs will take place in the first floor galleries. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt.
  • Accommodations: We welcome questions and accommodation requests that support your participation. Email us at CHEducation@si.edu or call 212 849-8353. Please make your request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least ten days before the program date.

Special Thanks

Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Generous support is also provided by the Smithsonian Institution’s Together We Thrive Initiatives, the Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.

Made in America: The Industrial Photography of Christopher Payne received support from Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250, a Smithsonian-wide initiative commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Signature support for Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 has been provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Additional generous contributions have been made by Target and New Balance.