Program Type: Art Workshop

Join us for an evening of gaming and crafts inspired by our Spring exhibitions. Discover how modern day chess pieces evolved with The Staunton Standard: The Evolution of the Modern Chess Set, play on an artist-designed chess set from Painted Pieces: Art Chess from Purling London, and gather images and ideas from The Sinquefield Effect: The Resurgence of American Chess. Then, transport yourself to places like the Pantheon or Gomorrah and play an immersive game of chess—in a fully-rendered virtual reality environment. Finally, reflect on your experience while creating your own 3-D chess piece using natural air-dry clay, images, and a variety of fun embellishments.

$10 admission, $5 for WCHOF members, seniors, and military. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments are provided.

For more information or to reserve a spot please email: [email protected].

SOLD OUT

Wednesday, May 9 – 6:30 pm

Join us for an evening of drawing inspired by the exhibition PINNED! A Designer Chess Challenge and Saint Louis fashion history. Artist Juan William Chávez is back by popular demand, this time with a focus on contour drawings. We’ll start with some quick drawing exercises in the gallery, and then explore shape, color, and pattern as we draw from a shoe still life in the studio. Juan William Chávez is an artist and cultural activist. He is the founder and director of Northside Workshop, a non-profit art space dedicated to addressing cultural and community issues in North Saint Louis. Chávez also teaches Conceptual Drawing, Digital Drawing, and Artists Working in the Public Realm courses at Webster University.

*Free for World Chess Hall of Fame members.

Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments are provided.

For more information or to reserve a spot please email:
[email protected].

Metered on-street parking is available, as well as paid lots adjacent to
Kingside Diner and at the Schlafly branch of the St. Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, Nov 8 – 6:30 pm

Bring the little ones to the WCHOF for a hands-on art workshop, exploring creativity and discovering their inner champion! Inspired by our current exhibition, Clash for the Crown: Celebrating Chess Champions exhibition, Art Educator Colleen Fitzsimmons-Wiviott will teach the class how to use a variety of kid-friendly painting and sculpture techniques to create a sizeable collaborative trophy and make individual wearable crowns using collage and printing techniques. This workshop is recommended for children ages 3-6 and their caregivers; supplies are included.

Colleen Fitzsimmons-Wiviott is an art and museum educator and the founder of Start With Art, which provides early childhood art education programming and consulting in Saint Louis. She has taught at the Museum of Modern Art, El Museo del Barrio, and the Saint Louis Art Museum. Her virtual art program, “Wee Wednesday,” airs on Nine PBS as part of Teaching in Room 9. For more information, visit startwithartstl.com.

Purchase Tickets

20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel

Saturday, Apr 13 – 10:30 am

Join us for a complimentary lecture as part of Clash for the Crown: Celebrating Chess Champions by renowned chess historian IM John Donaldson. Listen as he tells little-known stories behind artifacts related to legendary world chess champions and women’s world chess champions.

 IM John Donaldson joined the Tacoma Chess Club in the fall of 1972, inspired by the Fischer-Spassky match. An international master, with two grandmaster norms, Donaldson has captained the U.S. Chess Olympiad team on 14 occasions. He is the author of over 40 books on chess, including Bobby Fischer and His World.

Sunday, Jul 21 – 1:00 pm

Bring the kids for a summer fun event on our chess patio and meet Saint Louis-area author and mom-influencer Tara L. Smith! Smith will be here to autograph copies of her new book, Best Mom St. Louis, a compilation of the best activities for families to enjoy in the city. Cool off with complimentary make-your-own snow cones from Kona Ice, play “duck” chess with our giant pieces, make some crafts, and save 20% on children’s gifts at Q Boutique!

Tara L. Smith has lived much of her life in the Saint Louis area. As a mom blogger for over 15 years, she is the voice behind SeeingDandy.com. Her blog has been featured on News 4 Great Day, Show Me St. Louis and Farmhouse Style magazine. When not behind the keyboard, you’ll find her hiking or traveling with her husband and four children, crafting with friends, and eating out at one of her favorite local restaurants that she likes to frequent on rotation. She can also be found doing her main job, which is “mom taxi service,” taking her kids to all their activities.

Register Here

Friday, Jul 26 – 10:00 am

Celebrate artful, sculptural objects in a hands-on art workshop for young artists with Colleen Fitzsimmons-Wiviott. Inspired by the Crown Jewels: Donation Highlights exhibition, Colleen will teach different painting and collage techniques to create a sizeable collaborative chess piece celebrating rare and ornate chess sets in the collection. Then, create your take-home chess piece sculptures with air-drying clay, fun jewels, and more!

Recommended for children ages 3-6 and their caregivers.

Colleen Fitzsimmons-Wiviott is an art and museum educator and the founder of Start With Art, which provides early childhood art education programming and consulting in Saint Louis. She has taught at the Museum of Modern Art, El Museo del Barrio, and the Saint Louis Art Museum. Her virtual art program, “Wee Wednesday,” airs on Nine PBS as part of Teaching in Room 9. 

Purchase Tickets

For more information, visit startwithartstl.com.

*20% discount for WCHOF members, students, seniors, and military personnel

Saturday, Oct 5 – 10:30 am