MARFA STUDIO OF ARTS
​SITES PROGRAM

Since its founding, MSA has supported creativity across generations through exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs. In 2005, MSA launched our flagship initiative, SITES (Studio in the Elementary School), and remains the only in-school arts program in Marfa!
SITES operates independently within the Marfa Elementary School, offering an artist-designed and artist-led curriculum. Students explore multiple mediums such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, and design throughout the academic year. Tailored through our selection, the program is guided by professional artists and art educators from our community. This approach allows children to see art through the eyes of working artists, observe creative processes firsthand, and gain the confidence and skills to complete projects of their own.
Beyond technical instruction, SITES encourages students to discover and explore the joy and complexity of art-making; helping them build self-expression, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. All materials and instruction are provided free of charge, ensuring that every child in Marfa has access to quality art education.
Artwork by Students of SITES

sites: studio in elementary school

Serving Pre-K through 6th grade, the SITES program follows Texas TEKS curriculum standards, integrating art into students’ intellectual and emotional development. Using hands-on projects and creative exploration, children experience the joy and complexity of art-making while developing skills in observation, expression, and problem solving.
Each spring, the MSA Gallery hosts a dedicated SITES Student Exhibition, celebrating the achievements of young artists and inviting families and the community to share in their work.
Photo by Sam Dwyer

our artist-teachers

All SITES instruction is led by active artists and arts educators from the local community. Their mentorship allows students to witness the creative process firsthand; learning not only how to make art, but how to think like an artist.
Students also get the chance to visit and experience Marfa’s world-renowned art spaces, including Ballroom Marfa, the Judd Foundation, the Chinati Foundation, and the Ayn Foundation. These visits expand their understanding of art, architecture, and design while connecting them to the rich artistic landscape of their own hometown.

Student recognition & celebration

Photos by Ariana Vega
The Marfa Studio of Arts is especially proud of the incredible artwork created through the SITES program. Each year, the MSA Gallery is transformed by the SITES teachers and students, who present their projects in a special exhibition that highlights their creativity and growth. These shows are accompanied by joyful community receptions. Bringing together families, MES (Marfa Elementary School) staff, teachers, and of course the young artists themselves to celebrate their accomplishments and the excitement of making art.
Our gallery offers a platform for Texas artists to share their work, while our SITES program ensures that Marfa’s youngest residents grow up with access to hands-on, high-quality arts education. Every purchase, donation, and participation in our programs directly supports this mission; keeping art alive, accessible, and thriving in West Texas.