Make Your Own Paintings Inspired by “Three Centuries of American Art” July 15, 2021


Let’s make art! When you explore the MFAH galleries, think about the artists’ inspirations and let the works of art inspire you to create your own masterpieces.

In the exhibition Three Centuries of American Art – Antiquities, European and American Masterpieces from The Fayez S. Sarofim Collection you’ll see an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures, pottery, and more. Two special paintings inspired these art activities.

Use the step-by-step activity guides and how-to videos below to make art at home. Let’s get started! 

Art-Making Activity | Let’s Layer with Paint
Download the Activity Guide “Exploring Positive and Negative Space” 

Art-Making Activity | Let’s Make a Watercolor
Download the Activity Guide “Exploring Paint Resists and Application”

► Plan Your Visit
See Three Centuries of American Art – Antiquities, European and American Masterpieces from The Fayez S. Sarofim Collection at the MFAH through Labor Day, September 6. Included with general admission. Advance timed tickets recommended.


This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Lead Corporate Sponsor:
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Generous funding provided by:
Gail and Louis Adler
Nancy and Rich Kinder
Ellen and Charles Sheedy
Vivian L. Smith Foundation

Family Programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, receive generous support from the Junior League of Houston, Inc.

Learning and Interpretation programs receive generous funding from the Jerold B. Katz Foundation; Institute of Museum and Library Services; H-E-B; MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston Junior Woman’s Club; The Brown Foundation, Inc.; Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; Sharon G. Dies; Susan Vaughan Foundation; and additional generous donors.

All Learning and Interpretation programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, receive endowment funds provided by Louise Jarrett Moran Bequest; Caroline Wiess Law; the William Randolph Hearst Foundation; Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Fondren Foundation; BMC Software, Inc.; the Wallace Foundation; the Neal Myers and Ken Black Children’s Art Fund; Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ballard; Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Tate; the Eleanor and Frank Freed Foundation; Virginia and Ira Jackson; the Favrot Fund; Neiman Marcus Youth Arts Education; gifts in memory of John Wynne; and gifts in honor of Beth Schneider.