Contemporary Kids: Colourful Wings and Fresh Beginnings
January 18
1-2:30 PM or 3-4:30 PM
Workshop
Join us for the first CC Kids workshop of the year — a playful paper-collage session in collaboration with local children’s illustrator Vanja Kragulj. Kids will create vibrant moths and butterflies using cut-paper techniques, exploring shapes, patterns, and symmetry. Together, we’ll think about the new year as a time of beginnings, growth, and renewal — just like the gentle transformation of moths and butterflies.
To ensure a smooth workshop experience, we kindly ask participants to arrive on time; those arriving more than 15 minutes late will not be able to join the session.
Our free onsite Contemporary Kids programs invite children to learn about modern and contemporary art through unique and engaging art activities.
For children ages 5–12. Maximum group of 25 children, with one guardian per child.
Due to limited spots and material preparation, if you are unable to attend, please let us know at least 48 hours in advance so we can offer the spot to another child
Questions? Please visit our FAQ page.
Contemporary Calgary Educational Programs are often photographed. This photography includes the participants, parents or guardians and their creations. If you wish not to be photographed, please let Contemporary Calgary education staff know upon arrival, and they will assist you.
The same workshop is offered in two sessions for your convenience on January 18, 2026. Choose one session that suits your schedule best.
Sunday, January 18
1:00-2:30 PM
Sunday, January 18
3:00-4:30 PM
About the Illustrator
Vanja Kragulj is a Canadian illustrator, surface designer, and art educator. Her work includes children’s books, toys, and public art. She’s collaborated with renowned publishers like Hallmark, Scholastic, Workman Publishing, and Highlights For Children. When she’s not illustrating, Vanja leads workshops for children and adults often drawing inspiration from children’s books, illustration, and graphic design.
Website: www.vanjakragulj.com
Kids Illustration Workshop @kids.illo.workshop
About our Education Facilitators
Riddhi Patel
(she/her)
TD Education Facilitator
Riddhi Patel has training in both visual and performing arts, holding a Master of Fine Arts (Painting) from the University of Alberta, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, and a diploma in Kathak Dance. She also works with the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, where she manages creative projects, and has taught undergraduate drawing at the University of Alberta. Her artistic research explores movement through drawing and investigates ways to bring together her dance and drawing practices. Currently, she is committed to promoting art-making in community settings with people of all ages. In her leisure time, Riddhi enjoys baking pies and capturing fleeting moments around the city.
Vicky Xingyu Gu
(she/her)
TD Education Facilitator
Vicky Xingyu Gu is a Chinese animator who holds a BFA in Animation from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and an MFA in Digital Arts & Animation from the University of Southern California. During her studies, she explored narrative, documentary, and experimental forms of animation. Her works draw inspiration from cultural conflicts, emotional struggles, and societal issues, while experimenting with both digital and traditional media to create layered, hybrid, and provocative forms of storytelling. Since relocating to Calgary, she has become an active participant in the local arts community. She has been teaching various forms of animation with Quickdraw Animation Society and enjoys guiding participants of all ages through creative practices such as drawing, collage, mixed media, and visual storytelling. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking, watching animated movies, and playing horror games.
Shaghayegh (Poppy) Ghasemi
(she/her)
Education Facilitator
Shaghayegh (Poppy) Ghasemi is a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, with research focusing on children. She holds a bachelor's degree in Museum Studies and a master's in Anthropology. Awards from both the University of Manitoba and the University of Calgary have supported her research on child neglect. Poppy has over six years of hands-on experience working with children and youth in museums and schools across Iran, Turkey, and Canada. Before joining Contemporary Calgary, she was a program educator at the Manitoba Children's Museum. She is passionate about activating children's critical and creative thinking through programs delivered in English, French, Farsi, and Turkish. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking and playing chess.
Dandan Gu
(she/her)
Education Facilitator
Dandan Gu graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication Design. Prior to that, she obtained her first bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. Dandan has worked as a graphic designer for various companies and creative projects. Currently, she passionately serves as an educational assistant for art-making programs within the community, sharing her creative expertise with young learners. In her free time, Dandan enjoys practicing ink art, Chinese calligraphy, and illustrating cats and people around her.
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