At Aga Khan Museum this holiday season, you can unlock your inner artist by joining a creative workshop, all while attending the free Light up the Dark event!
As you celebrate the winter school break, your family can also become immersed in art, culture, and creativity at the Aga Khan Museum. In this series of workshops, participants are invited to tap into their creativity and then take their masterpiece home afterwards. For instance, you can create and decorate a lovely clay tile, design your own tote bag or paper jewellery, and emboss your own metal tile to tap into your creative expression!
Aga Khan Museum’s Light Up the Dark Workshops Let you Delve into your Creativity!
At the Museum’s Light Up the Dark workshops, guests can create dazzling artwork while experimenting with three various materials, including clay, paper, metal and fabric. You can choose your favourite, or better yet, make them all! What’s more, you don’t have to bring anything with you other than your artistic flair and enthusiasm, because the Museum provides all the required materials.
Fasayfisa’: Introduction to Mosaic Workshop
- December 27, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
- December 29, 5:00 PMÂ Â
Fasayfisa’ is an Arabic term for small, colourful pieces of stone or marble, arranged to form a unified design. At this new hands-on workshop, you can discover the beauty and meaning behind this fascinating art form inspired by the intricate patterns found in Islamic art and architecture! The budding artists will create a small ornament using vibrant glass tiles, drawing from examples in the Aga Khan Museum Collections. Furthermore, participants are encouraged to explore this tradition that has flourished for centuries, including repeating designs that embody harmony, balance, and creativity.
- December 27, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
- December 28, 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM
- December 29, 5:00 PM
Guided by the friendly Museum Educators, kids and parents get to experiment with clay together! Designed for both beginners and art enthusiasts, this interactive workshop helps participants explore the various techniques used to shape and design with clay. Then, you can create a unique tile and decorate your one-of-a-kind piece to take home as a keepsake. Feel free to draw from the beautiful ceramic pieces in the Museum Collections to blend traditional inspiration with your own creativity. Plus, you can experiment with the different tools, textures and patterns to fully bring your unique design to life.
From Paper to Jewellery Workshop
- December 27, 5:00 PM
- December 28, 1:00 PM
- December 29, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Through this hands-on workshop, families can explore the history of paper! Used throughout history as both a practical and artistic material, feel free to draw inspiration from works in the Aga Khan Museum Collections. As you reflect on the many sustainable and creative uses, you will transform recycled paper into handmade and colourful beads. With the assistance of the Museum Educators, you will design and assemble your own paper beads and then turn them into jewellery.
With deep cultural roots in East Africa, such as Kenya and Uganda, and through the African diaspora, you can follow in the footsteps of artisans who have long crafted paper beads. This form of jewellery-making creates beauty, generates income, and promotes environmental awareness. Through contemporary creativity, this workshop helps give new life to a timeless material, while connecting participants to global craft traditions.
Reflective Tiles: Metal Embossing Workshop
- December 27, 5:00 PM
- December 28, 1:00 PM
December 29, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
This popular hands-on workshop returns, where you can explore the exciting art of metal embossing! Suitable for all skill levels, guests will discover basic techniques and draw inspiration from unique patterns in the artworks found throughout the Museum Collections. Again, participants are welcome to experiment with their creative designs to create a beautifully embossed metal tile. Then, you can take home as a souvenir and a cherished memory!
Wearable Art: Tote Bag Decorating Workshop
- December 28, 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM
In this new and fun workshop, artists will unleash their inner artist and turn an ordinary tote bag into a totally unique and wearable masterpiece! Patterns and decorations from the Aga Khan Museum Collections will be on hand for inspiration, so let your creativity shine through in your design. This tote bag would be an excellent personalized gift for someone special or for yourself!
Aga Khan Museum: Light Up the Dark Workshops — Details
Ages: The Aga Khan Museum: Light Up the Dark Workshops are suitable for visitors aged 6 and older. However, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, children aged 6 to 12 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Also, please note that both children and caregivers require tickets for each workshop.
Price: $15 each, including all required materials
Step into a Dazzling Array of Artistic Light Displays at Light Up the Dark!
Meanwhile, don’t miss Light Up the Dark, an astonishing celebration where the Museum comes alive with captivating projected animations. The stunning exterior of the Aga Khan Museum comes to life at this free outdoor event, featuring mesmerizing light projections created by a group of students and graduates from OCAD University’s Experimental Animation program.
In addition, families can find ongoing exhibits and activities, gift shopping ideas, and gifting experiences throughout the year.
Get more information about everything happening at the Aga Khan Museum here!
Aga Khan Museum: Holiday Workshops
Date: December 27-29, 2025
Time: Friday-Sunday, times vary by workshop
Venue: Aga Khan Museum
Address: 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto
Facebook: @agakhanmuseumtoronto
Instgram: @agakhanmuseum
YouTube: @AgaKhanMuseumToronto
Website: www.agakhanmuseum.org
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