Avant Garden at An Occasion for the Arts

The Muscarelle Museum and An Occasion for the Arts present the Avant Garden, a youth centered space celebrating creativity during the 2026 festival taking place October 3-4. Located in the historic Wren Garden on William & Mary Campus, the Avant Garden offers an exhibition of local K-12 student art; Art Labs drop in art making workshops with local art educators; a chalk art competition with cash prizes led by Director of Engagement Steve Prince; performances by local dance, theatre and music students; and an interactive community mural with professional artist Adjoa Burrowes.

Art Lab Schedule
10 AM – 1 PM
Reduce, Reuse, ReCREATE with Beth Williamson
Intro to Pine Needle Coiling with Becky Butler
Make and Take Art Cards with Genevieve D. Franco

2 PM – 5 PM
Sculpted Seascapes: A Textured Art Tasting with Oksana Cheng
Paper Sculptures Inspired by Alebrijes with Megan Countiss
Printmaking Playground with Angela Walters

Youth Stage Schedule
11am Virginia Regional Ballet- Local student ballet studio
12pm Follow the River- string instrument quartet
1pm En Pointe Dance- Local student mixed dance studio
2pm Rainbow Puppets- Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday
3pm Williamsburg Youth Chamber Music 1 string chamber group and 1 clarinet quartet