California American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), has awarded a $25,000 Disa… Read more.

In light of recent ICE raids in our region, the Armory Center for the Arts reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the dignity, safety, and humanity of all community members, especially those most vuln… Read more.

What's in store for fall? Fall studio art classes for kids, teens, adults, and families. General enrollment begins Tuesday, July 15 at 12:00 PM. Armory members can register one week earlier on Tuesday… Read more.

We're now offering free, grab-and-go art supplies for artists displaced or impacted by the fires. Our grab-and-go will be open at the same time as our Creativity & Community Care Room. No appointment … Read more.

Mark your calendars. Summer art classes for kids, teens, adults, and families enrolling soon. General enrollment begins April 7 at 12:00 PM. Armory members can register one week earlier on March 31. N… Read more.

We are pleased to announce the opening of our Creativity & Community Care Room at the Armory at The Gale Kohl Center for Creativity in Old Pasadena. Co-hosted by our friends at Gale’s Restaurant, we i… Read more.

Dust off that Armory masterpiece made by you, your child, or family member and help celebrate our 35th anniversary with a truly historic student exhibition.

We invite you to submit any artwork made… Read more.

Join us in welcoming our 2024 Getty Marrow Undergraduate Interns Han Kim and Tania Ordoñez. Since 1993, the Getty Foundation has dedicated upwards of $14 million to support over 3,500 paid summer inte… Read more.

Mark your calendars! Summer Studio dates are now available, including the return of week-long summer kids classes with supervised lunch breaks!

Summer Studio 2024Registration Open March 20 at Noon
M… Read more.

 

Save the Dates!

2024 Winter Studio
Art Classes for Children, Teens, and Adults
Winter Session Dates:
Tuesday, January 16 through Sunday, March 24
(Monday classes start January 22 due to the MLK… Read more.

From left: Grant Derderian, Luis Grane, Nic Cha Kim, Haven Lin-Kirk, and Timothy Thomas.

Armory Center for the Arts has announced the addition of five new board members who will help support the Pa… Read more.

Please join us in welcoming our 2023 Getty Marrow Undergraduate Interns, Julia Aguila and Miranda Bazua.

Julia Aguila recently graduated from California Institute of the Arts' School of Art. Previo… Read more.

Armory Center for the Arts announced the departure of longtime Director of Exhibition Programs and Chief Curator Irene Georgia Tsatsos. Tsatsos’ decision comes from a desire "for another mode of worki… Read more.

The Armory is here to support everyone's artistic journey. Classes include Ceramics: Wheel Throwing & Handbuilding, Figure Drawing with Live Models, Oil Painting, Photography, Still Life Drawing & Pai… Read more.

Off the Wall, the Armory's renowned biennial art auction and gala will return in person for the first time since the pandemic began at the Armory's Old Pasadena campus on April 8. The gala will featur… Read more.

Image: Myisha Arellano and Michelle Glass, Interwoven Stories (details), 2022-2023. Created at public workshops, in collaboration with community members and in partnership with the Armory, NAACP Pasad… Read more.

Now with more options of classes meeting twice a week or once a week for Kids and Teens! Classes everyday of the week for kids, teens, and adults! The Armory is here to support everyone's artistic jou… Read more.

Let your creativity flourish this spring by enrolling in an art class at the Armory! The Armory is here to support everyone's artistic journey. Classes include Ceramics: Wheel Throwing & Handbuilding,… Read more.

Know someone hoping to build their skills or simply make time for creativity? The Armory is here to support everyone's artistic journey. Classes include Ceramics: Wheel Throwing & Handbuilding, Figure… Read more.

Save the date!Family & Toddler classes are back!

Classes for children aged 2 to 7 are back, including Art for Two morning sessions for toddlers, and afternoon classes for ages 5 and 6. We're also bri… Read more.

The Armory has welcomed five new board members, whose diverse range of expertise and networks will help to advance our newly adopted mission to nurture our community and its young people by creating, … Read more.

For nearly 20 years, the Armory's mission was rooted in the idea of transformation — "to transform lives and communities through creating, teaching, and presenting the arts." When the Armory adopted C… Read more.

ArtNight Pasadena at the Armory on April 29 will be a homecoming for our musical guest DJ Wyldeflower, one of the rising stars at KCRW—arguably one of the most influential FM music stations in the nat… Read more.

The Armory is one of 18 LA County arts organizations selected for the 2022 Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts' organizational support grants. This is the Foundation's second year awarding unrestricte… Read more.

Popular onsite classes for all ages or try our select online classes on Zoom. It's your choice! Classes include animation, book arts, ceramics: handbuilding  & wheel throwing, collage & assemblage, co… Read more.

Updated Winter Session Dates
(January 4, 2022) – Due to rising COVID cases in LA County, we are postponing the start of winter classes by one week in order to put increased prevention systems in pla… Read more.

In collaboration with our partner organizations from the Arts for Healing and Justice Network (AHJN), the Armory helped provide a series of 20 healing-informed art workshops (and 60 of these art kits)… Read more.

Meet our youngest supporters! When twins Cameron and Lindy celebrated their birthday recently, their mom Kelley had a concern and an idea.

"With twins in the same grade, but different classes, our b… Read more.

Pasadena Community Job Center, NAACP Pasadena, and the Armory are excited to take part in the Artists At Work (AAW), a workforce resilience program designed to support the rebuilding of healthy commun… Read more.

The Armory is excited to present Alison Saar's Catfish Dreamin’, an outdoor temporary sculpture and related online program, on view now in our front garden.

One of Saar's earliest public projects, C… Read more.

Save the date!We’re excited to welcome you back to the Armory this fall with onsite classes for all ages. Or, try our popular online classes on Zoom. It's your choice! Classes include ceramics, life d… Read more.

Thank you to all who joined the Armory in taking a look at emerging art technologies with artists Devon Baur and Peter Wu+. Produced and moderated by the Armory's Getty interns Shardé Alexander and Ja… Read more.

BOOM is an online showcase of the energetic, thoughtful and unapologetic work from the Armory’s Art High program. This exhibition highlights the talents of teens who share a common interest in art and… Read more.

Take your students (or yourself) on a virtual Armory field trip and make art with lessons designed by Armory Teaching Artists that meet National Arts Common Core Standards.

These virtual field trips… Read more.

Thank you to all who joined artists and abolitionists Mims and Cecilia Sweet-Coll for "Art and Abolition in Los Angeles," the fourth installment of the Armory's Active Voice conversation series. Watch… Read more.

Thank to all who joined the Armory for a lively, virtual discussion with Alison Saar and co-curators Irene Georgia Tsatsos and Rebecca McGrew (of the Armory and the Benton respectively) about the arti… Read more.

What does justice mean in the age of COVID? Armory Teaching Artists posed this question to young adults from across the Southland participating in our COVID Chronicles 'Zine class. This summer, the Ar… Read more.

Enjoy a reading of three works included in the Alison Saar: Of Aether and Earthe exhibition catalogue, recorded during the virtual catalogue release event last autumn. First up is Pomona College Presi… Read more.

Join Armory teaching artist Heather Hilliard for Pasadena’s Parks After Dark programs. A line-up of summer activities by Pasadena Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department free for all ages… Read more.

Thank you to all who joined us for the Armory's new literary reading series on racial justice, presented in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition Alison Saar: Of Aether and Earthe. This inaugural re… Read more.

Watch Christina Sharpe's powerful reading of an excerpt from her essay Alison Saar, Alchemist: 'the hand is in the making of textures'. You can find Sharpe's entire essay in Alison Saar: Of Aether and… Read more.

Recently, artist Michael McMillen visited the Armory to spruce up Motel (Under the World), his permanent floor installation depicting a robot, resting under glass, watching TV, and polishing off a cas… Read more.

John Ziqiang Wu’s exhibition Art Making opened at the Armory on February 9, 2020, just a few weeks before LA County’s stay at home order went into effect, triggering the closure of all indoor cultural… Read more.

The emergence and rapid proliferation of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 resulted in a global pandemic at a scale not seen since the Spanish flu of 1918. In the U.S. the virus came as a shock … Read more.

The deadly shootings in Atlanta and the countless attacks on Asian American elders in communities across the nation have saddened me and triggered memories. As a child, I remember walking through a st… Read more.

On March 19, 2020, following the emergence and rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, California became the first U.S. state to issue a state-wide safer-at-home order. Subsequently, the County of Los Ang… Read more.

On March 11, 2021, the Armory celebrated the live book launch of Sara Kathryn Arledge: Serene for the Moment, the first extended monograph on the artist produced in conjunction with the 2019 Armory ex… Read more.

Active Voice: Conversations at the Intersection of Art, Community, and Social Justice is a monthly conversation series hosted by Armory Center for the Arts inspired by the conversations and reflection… Read more.

Take your students on a virtual Armory exhibition tour and make art with lessons designed by Armory Teaching Artists that meet National Arts Common Core Standards.

This first round of virtual field … Read more.

This conversation between artists Dina Abdulkarim and Hugo Hopping, moderated by artist Harry Gamboa Jr. and introduced by the Armory's Chief Curator Irene Georgia Tsatsos, was recorded on February 5,… Read more.

Tanya Aguiñiga's exhibition opened in early 2020, but regrettably closed to the public only five weeks later due to the pandemic. This opportunity to experience Aguiñiga's exhibition virtually culmina… Read more.

We are pleased to announce that the Armory has received a $100,000 research grant from the Getty Foundation for From the Ground Up: Nurturing Diversity in Hostile Environments, a forward-looking ethno… Read more.

Alison Saar: Of Aether and Earthe has been named one of the 15 best Black art books of 2020 by Culture Type—an essential resource focused on visual art from a Black perspective that explores the inter… Read more.

Artist Tanya Aguiñiga was joined by her friend and colleague Jackie Amézquita last week for an hour-long conversation about their practices, both as individual artists and collaborators. At the center… Read more.

When Pasadena Unified School District sent students home in March, the Armory followed the District's lead. It became quickly evident to the Armory's leadership team that this pandemic wasn't ending a… Read more.

The Armory and the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College virtual release of the exhibition catalogue Alison Saar: Of Aether and Earthe featured conversations with special guests, poetry readings, and… Read more.

We all have a choice and a voice! Twice a week throughout the month of August, young adults from Greater LA and across the country met via Zoom as part of a "Get Out the Vote" zine class—a collaborati… Read more.

Imagine taking your first art class... over the telephone. This is the improbable quarantine success story of "technology challenged" Phil Sanchez, a 70 year old resident of Pasadena's Heritage Square… Read more.

Join us on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 5:00 PM PT (7 PM CDMX) for a virtual  release of the bilingual publication Below the Underground: Renegade Art and Action in 1990s Mexico / Más abajo que el und… Read more.

Dance for Love, Dance for Peace 

The weekend of June 22, 2020, we saw the virtual return of the Pasadena Chalk Festival, the largest event of its kind according to the Guinness Book of Records. In th… Read more.

Art for Everyone

In the 130+ days since lockdown, Armory Teaching Artists have remained resourceful, resilient, and devoted to the Armory's mission of transforming lives through the power of art. Usi… Read more.

Community Collaboration

Armory Teaching Artist Sergio Hernandez shared this pic from his online lettering class, presented in collaboration with Pasadena's Public Library and Day One. Using watercolo… Read more.

Virtual exhibition for the Armory's Artful Connections with Math program 

During the Fall 2019 semester, Armory Center for the Arts provided a new comprehensive visual art/math integrated curriculum … Read more.

Come Celebrate Juneteenth!

This Friday, June 19, with a car caravan for black lives organized by our partners at the NAACP Pasadena and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. Vehicles will asse… Read more.

All you need is scissors, markers, paper! In 12 easy steps, you'll be able to make your own parliament of owls (BTW - a group of owls is called a "parliament").

The Armory grieves the loss of George Floyd and so many others who have lost their lives to police brutality and the systemic racism that continues to plague our country. We stand in solidarity with c… Read more.

Armory Teaching Artist Austyn de Lugo (he/him/él) is especially interested in queer and feminist theory, horror films, pattern and decoration, and political imagery.  In honor of Pride Month, we asked Austyn for 5 queer collage artists that inspire him.

Come support this evening's "Mr. George Floyd Caravan Vigil & Peace," organized by our partners at the NAACP Pasadena Branch and the National Association of Day Laborers Organizing Network. Vehicles w… Read more.

Join us for a performance by Tanya Aguiñiga, live on the Armory’s Instagram on Wednesday, June 3 at 4:00 PM PDT.

On May 26, 2020, we asked Armory Teaching Artist Andrew K. Currey to take over our Instagram account for the day. Here's what she shared. Be sure to follow us @ArmoryArts for future #TakeOverTuesdays … Read more.

This coloring book for all ages is a collaborative effort of the Armory's Teaching Artists. We invited our faculty to each create an illustration representing their personal interpretation of “Home,” a relatable theme especially in light of the safer at home orders the entire planet is experiencing during this pandemic.

Armory Teaching Artist Jocelyn Casas makes paintings, sculptures, installations, murals, and wearables. We asked Jocelyn to share her 5 favorite sculptors with us. Here's her list, with 3 notable "honorable mentions."

Make your own artwork using coffee! Adapted from Nick Neddo’s book The Organic Artist, this Coffee Ink Art activity comes to you from Armory Teaching Artist Michelle Ohm.

"Miss Grace" has taught children's drama classes at the Armory for more than 20 years. We asked her to share her favorite live theater experiences with us. Ranging from apartheid-era ensembles to Butoh masters from Japan, we hope Grace's list will take your breath away, too.

Armory Teaching Artist Denise El-Hoss has directed our letterpress studio for more than a decade. A master of the letterpress medium, Denise is also quite handy with a needle and thread. In this short video, Denise will guide you step by step to create your own, hand-sew, cotton fabric face mask.

We asked Armory ceramics instructor Elonda Norris to share some of her favorite ceramic artists with us.

Perfect for ages 3 to 5! Created by Armory Teaching Artist Ed Leonardi, we have some fun and simple directions on how to make yourself an animal companion including a 3D kitten or 2D puppy.

From late '60s innovators to contemporary artists who walk the line between graffiti and fine art, this is a super informative survey of how an underground movement found its way into the museums.

Invent a character based on this single word: HOPE. Your character will personify HOPE. Your character is HOPE. Once you create your character, take several selfies until you capture an image that truly personifies your character's spirit.

This handy how-to guide from the Armory's exhibitions team shows you the essential steps and simple math used by professionals to hang art. You can also use this information to securely hang other things, like mirrors, family photos, diplomas, and more.

On April 20, 2020, we asked Armory Teaching Artist Gabriella Carboni to take over our Instagram account for the day. Here's what she shared. Be sure to follow us @ArmoryArts for future #TakeOverTuesda… Read more.

Armory Teaching Artist Sandra Gallegos asked us to share one of her favorite collages with you that she made in 2017. "I thought it would be nice for children to hunt for things," like a scavenger hunt. We thought that was a great idea.

Armory Teaching Artist Matt MacFarland loves drawing and comics. "I went to school for art, but still made cartoons. Then I went to grad school for art. I still made cartoons...then my son was born and I just made comics."

In 10 minutes, draw as many popular cartoon characters as possible...from memory! Forget about details. Be quick & loose.

For 2nd & 3rd Graders: How do artists purchase materials for creating a project? This lesson a goal is for students to work within a given budget, create proposals, purchase materials from a classroom “store,” and create a sculpture on a base.

Armory Teaching Artist Kate Lain's Cabin Fever Playlist is a crowd-sourced list of experimental films that are currently free online. Kate started the list on March 13 for her video art students at the Armory once classes were canceled due to shelter in place recommendations.

For 3rd Graders: How do we use math and art to represent our living spaces? This lesson’s goal is for students to create a floor plan collage, using graph paper to calculate area and sewing with embroidery floss to calculate perimeter.

With generous support from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Armory partnered with Proyecto Pastoral, Public Works, and the Art for Incarcerated Youth Network to present art … Read more.

If she lived during the age of smart phones, what would Sara Kathryn Arledge think of Twitter? It's an intriguing question, because decades before the advent of the tweet, Arledge wrote and archived h… Read more.

Fellows of Contemporary Art Bestows 2020 Curators Award and $80,000 Grant to the Curators at Armory Center for the Arts and Pomona College Museum of Art The Fellows of Contemporary Art (FOCA) has awar… Read more.

Armory Center for the Arts is pleased to announce three new additions to our board of directors. Please join us in welcoming architect Alice Fung, USC's Vice President of Admissions and Planning Katha… Read more.

Following a 6-month national search conducted by the executive search firm of Morris & Berger, Armory Center for the Arts' Board of Directors have announced that Leslie A. Ito of South Pasadena will b… Read more.

Armory Teaching Artist Kristofferson San Pablo will be exhibiting as part of a group show at Beyond the Streets in Los Angeles. Along with teaching an array of classes from Crazy Caricature, Anime, Co… Read more.

Throughout the month of February, and in honor of Black History Month, artist and designer Andre’ Barnwell’s African USA Flag project encourages Americans to genetically map their African heritage and… Read more.

Coachella music festival organizers Goldenvoice will debut the Arroyo Seco Weekend— with three stages of live music along with curated menus from LA’s celebrated restaurants and chefs at the Rose Bowl… Read more.

Connie Samaras
The Past is Another Planet:
Huntington Tropical Garden; OEB 7185, Octavia E. Butler and Large Tree,
Amazon River Region, July 1985.
2016
Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Fine … Read more.

Bright pink and blue chairs, a television screen, and vibrant paintings fill the “Hope Center” of Camp Joseph Scott Juvenile Hall — and for a moment it feels “normal.” The Hope Center recently welcome… Read more.

Congratulations and Celebrations, the interactive project by artist Ellen Lesperance gives you an opportunity to wear the sweater designed and knit by the artist that is currently on exhibit at the Ar… Read more.

Teen photographer Dalon Poole of Pasadena and Executive Director Scott Ward represented the Armory at the White House on November 17 to accept a major award from First Lady Michelle Obama.

Since 200… Read more.

"...Wilding achieves a weird combination of conservative sweetness and fierceness that made me tear up when I saw the show, full of work that's been waiting to be seen for decades." — LA Weekly

"a go… Read more.

Armory Teaching Artist Carlos Callejo recently completed a stunning collaborative mural with 15 teenage girls currently serving time inside Santa Clarita's Scudder Detention Camp.

    • See Mural Pi… Read more.

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts has awarded the Armory $120,000 to support exhibitions and related programming over the next 2 years. The Armory is the only Pasadena institution to rece… Read more.

These poignant self portraits are from a 2015 Armory exhibition of masks created by adult students from New Opportunities Charter School — a school for LA County inmates who do not have a high school … Read more.

With the support of friends, volunteers, and donors, artist Kim Abeles and her team have spent the last several weeks giving a much-needed makeover to one of Pasadena's most unusual and informative pu… Read more.

On view through September 6, After Victor Papanek: The Future Is Not What It Used To Be is a group exhibition that focuses on Papanek’s pioneering influence on sustainable, socially responsible, human… Read more.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded $150,000 to Armory Center for the Arts to develop, deliver, and evaluate Artful Connections with Science — a new visual arts/science integra… Read more.