Families looking to spark creativity and curiosity in equal measure will find both on canvas this Sunday, June 29, at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. From 1 to 3 p.m., local art educator Raquel Torrent brings her engaging, child-friendly workshop Family Painting Class: Boxelder Bugs to the garden grounds—offering an afternoon that’s part science lesson, part art studio and all fun.

The two-hour class invites children and their caregivers to explore the bright, graphic world of the Boxelder Bug—a harmless red-and-black insect native to Florida that makes a surprisingly striking muse. The bugs’ bold outlines and natural symmetry lend themselves beautifully to playful interpretation, and with all materials provided, families can focus on the joy of observing, painting, and creating something worth framing.

The event is led by Torrent, founder of the creative studio “Art and Juice,” whose programs blend art instruction with emotional intelligence and storytelling. Known for her intuitive teaching style and vibrant curriculum, Torrent encourages young artists to trust their eyes, loosen their grip on perfectionism, and approach drawing with curiosity rather than fear.

Children will learn the basics of artistic observation: contour, form, color, and value. But the tone is light and confidence-building, not academic. “These bugs may look wild,” the workshop materials note, “but don’t worry—they’re totally harmless and super interesting to draw.” With guidance and encouragement, children add their own creative flourishes to their paintings, producing unique works on canvas they’ll take home.

The final product isn’t a worksheet or coloring page—it’s a real, frameable canvas painting, completed with professional-quality materials and personalized flair. For kids who are often told to “stay inside the lines,” this workshop is a rare invitation to make those lines their own.

Seeing like an artist

The workshop encourages children not only to paint but to observe—to look closely at the details of an insect’s wings, the curve of a leg, the symmetry of pattern and shape. In doing so, young participants engage with nature from an artist’s perspective: not through facts alone, but through form.

For many children, the Boxelder Bug is just another backyard creature. Here, it becomes subject and symbol—one that can teach both artistic technique and a sense of wonder for the natural world. It’s an ideal crossover for Fairchild Gardens, where science, beauty, and environmental education already converge.

Art as process

Torrent’s method emphasizes process over product. Children are not expected to match a model painting but to observe, interpret, and express. Mistakes are welcome. The emphasis on contour and value teaches students to look beyond surface appearance, while the final steps—adding color and personal detail—allow self-expression to take root.

Parents or caregivers must accompany children throughout the session, making it a shared experience rather than a drop-off event. For many families, this structure turns the class into a creative collaboration—one where grownups and kids alike may rediscover the meditative pleasure of making something by hand.

Practical details

Supplies are included with registration. Attendees are asked to check their email for confirmation and bring their e-tickets to the event. If tickets aren’t received, organizers recommend checking spam folders before arrival.

The class takes place indoors and is capped to allow for individual instruction and space to spread out. It’s recommended for children old enough to focus on basic instruction and enjoy hands-on activity for a full two hours—generally ages 5 and up, though no strict age limit is enforced.

Gentle afternoon, lasting memory

In a season full of screen time and structured camps, Family Painting Class: Boxelder Bugs offers a slower, more thoughtful kind of summer afternoon. It’s not about crafting for crafting’s sake—it’s about seeing, interpreting, and connecting. And it leaves every child with something lasting: not just a painting, but a sense of pride in having made something original.