What could be more fun for a child than a few hours spent making a lamp, or creating a flipbook?

Espace Projet, an art and design gallery located in the Villeray district, has launched a new program designed for children ages 8 to 12. The courses, which last 90 minutes, will aim to teach children something they would not necessarily learn about in school: art and design.

Children will get to try their hand at creating their own pieces. They will learn to work with minimal help, and will have to understand the different concepts they were taught about art history in order to apply them. Working as a group will be an important component. Classes will be taught in French, but if a child only speaks English, the instructor will be able to clarify instructions and answer questions in English.

According to Éric Aubertin, director and co-founder of Espace Projet, the original plan was to create a day camp to teach children about design and art. In the end, it was decided that the gallery would start by offering a few courses, which so far have garnered enough attention that it plans to offer similar classes in the spring.

Aubertin will be teaching most of the classes this fall. He hopes that, in the spring, he will be able to invite other designers and artists to come share their expertise.

As for the ideas behind the lessons, Aubertin explained that the activities are things the staff would also enjoy doing.

“We are knowledgeable in history and art, so the ideas came from things we like to do,” Aubertin said. “We are eternal teenagers. We wanted to be original and to do activities that would interest children.”

Parents can sign their child up for one ($25), four ($90), or eight ($160) lessons. Every lesson is different and revolves around one theme. On Oct. 20, children will learn all about Halloween costumes – and create their own – inspired by Cabaret Voltaire, the art movement originating in Switzerland in the early 20th century.

The Nov. 10 course will teach children to print an image on a piece of clothing using screen-printing. Children will create their own flipbooks on Dec. 1 and will be able to make a short animated film.

All materials are included in the cost so children have to simply show up and be ready to learn.

“We are very excited to see the results of these classes,” Aubertin said. “We are going to have a lot of fun.”

Espace Projet is located at 353 Villeray St., just a five-minute walk from Jarry métro. For more information on Espace Projet, visit espaceprojet.net.