ArtPropel offers in person art lessons for kids ages 6 to 11.
We believe that art is more than just an outlet for creative expression. It teaches us to engage with the world around us, refresh the mind and spirit, focus on the task at hand, and reach the depths of our imagination. When kids develop these skills early, they build a creative toolkit to rely on for life.
With that in mind, our programs are designed to expand access to the arts, helping kids fall in love with drawing and painting whether they “feel” creative or not. With theme-based lessons and a wide variety of media, we empower your children to develop new art skills and flex their creative muscles. Together, we’ll unleash their one-of-a-kind inner artist!
Miria Varghese, Founder and Artistic Director
Miria is an entreprenuer, arts educator, and founder of ArtPropel. In 2016, Miria started ArtPropel to give working adults the opportunity to tap into their creative side through arts-based team building workshops. With interactive and innovative workshops in improv, percussion, painting, and the culinary arts, Miria and the ArtPropel team has served corporate teams in the D.C metro region including Marriott International, Hollywood Casino, DC.gov and AstraZeneca to name a few, supporting their teams, unleashing their creative potential and helping them become effortlessly productive.
In 2020, when schools moved online for kids around the world, Miria launched ArtPropel Youth, a virtual drawing program that teaches elementary students about the world through art. Today, she teaches art classes through in-person workshops at the Workhouse Arts Center and the ArtPropel Studio, live drawing workshops through zoom, and online lessons through the Kids Art Club. Whether teaching live or online, Miria’s goal is to make drawing a go-to activity for families across the world helping them spend time with each other while unleashing their one-of-a-kind inner artist!
Program Overview
AfTER-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
February - MaY
Spread across six weeks these workshops focus on creating poster-size collages using painting, printing, and stamping techniques. In addition to exploring different mediums, students learn about different ecosystems while growing as artists.
Paint and Dine at Mulligans
Join us for an unforgettable evening of creativity and culinary delights at our first Paint & Dine event! Release your inner artist while indulging in delicious food and drinks in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere.
SUMMER CAMP
JunE/JuLY
Join us for full day camps, as we explore different themes and techniques Monday to Thursday. Workshops run from 9 am - 3 pm with artist showcase each week on Thursday at 3 pm.
STUDENT HOLIDAY DAY CAMPS (4-hr)
These workshops take place on FCPS student holidays. Through drawing, painting, and collage techniques, young artists get to learn about perspective, mixing tints and creating a sense of space and movement in their work of art.
birthday PARTY
Make your next birthday celebration, one to remember! Choose from one of seven themes to paint with friends. We bring the supplies. You provide the venue. Kids walk away with hand-painted canvases ready to be hung!
“My daughter took weekly art classes with ArtPropel for years and had a wonderful experience. As a result, she now has an amazing portfolio of fun and colorful artwork. Miria is very engaging with the kids, as well as a great listener.
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“We had the pleasure of meeting Miria of ArtPropel as she instructed our daughter in various art classes. My daughter enjoyed her classes immensely and always came home proud of her works of art. She enjoyed drawing birds, prehistoric creatures and animals in the water. Miria makes it fun, she is patient with them and helps develop their art skills and allows their creativity to flow.”
“Art propel has both encouraged and tremendously enhanced my childrens’ artistic skills. They have explored various themes such as Halloween, marine life, habitats etc and made beautiful pieces of art that the kids are so proud of themselves. Miria is the most patient teacher who encourages an interactive class. She also adds a light but interesting educational component to her art classes by sharing/exchanging information about the topic they are drawing.
Art propel is definitely the best kids art class in Northern VA. ”
“Miria is an amazing person. Not only does she do an amazing job as an art teacher, but she engages them in conversations and talks about the story and context behind the drawing too.
Miria is truly a talented and loving teacher and engages with the kids throughout the class! I’d recommend her class in a heartbeat!”
