Exploring the world of murals and art directly from industry professionals
Dream Bird Art School (DBAS) is a mural and visual arts program for kids created by Artist Caroline Truong.
OUR PROGRAM AIMS TO
Build confidence through painting and drawing.
Practice art as a means for personal expression.
Connect with Artists to inspire the Artist within.
Equip students with transferable skills that reach beyond the studio.
Now Registering: Summer Sessions 2025 in Houston, Texas
Sign up your kids for a summer of mural painting, collaboration, and visual arts exploration.
Kids will practice drawing and painting techniques through mural collaborations and individual creative projects.
LEARNING FROM THE EXPERTS
Caroline Truong
Artist, Muralist, Lead Instructor
“As a community artist and former art teacher, I’ve led thousands in creative activities and painted over 50 murals and designs for organizations like Rice University, Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston ISD public schools and Houston Food Bank.
Through DBAS, I get to share my process and artistic journey with kids in a close-knit setting, introducing them to Artists and styles that inspire me while helping them develop their own art practice at a young age. There will be lots of flower doodling, wall painting, dream bird, and more!”
ARTIST TALK & ACTIVITY
Once a week, students will have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals who have developed their creative passions into impactful careers. Artists will share their inspirations, artistic journeys, creative process, and entrepreneurial pursuits. Students will also get to create with the Artist - seeing them in action and gaining insight and knowledge directly from the experts.
Artists scheduled for Summer 2025.
Amy Malkan
Amy is a public artist, muralist, entrepreneur and community developer who is known for her contemporary style infused with Indian and Asian motifs. Her creativity and artistic approach are inspired by her travels to more than 28 countries around the globe. Over the past 5 years, Amy has facilitated the design, coordination and production over 30 public art projects across the Houston area and around the globe. These projects have been co-created with the involvement of over 10,000 area youth, artists and hundreds of community stakeholders.
We’ll get to create with Amy as she shares her way of creating henna inspired patterns. Kids will get create their own patterns and collaborate on a piece of art that inspires, uplifts, and empowers.
WEEK 1
Carla Lyles
carlasuehouston.com
@carlasuehtx
Join us for a special session with Carla, a Houston-based community leader and entrepreneur, as she shares Momma Loves Jazz—her visual art series celebrating the healing bond between mother and daughter through the power of jazz.
Founder of the bold greeting card brand Carla Sue, Carla blends graphic design, printmaking, and radical self-love. Her work has been featured by Refinery29, Houstonia, Thrive, and Entrepreneur Magazine. She also leads Keep Houston Dope, a community movement born during Hurricane Harvey to inspire unity across the city.
Carla’s will share how jazz shaped her childhood and connection with her mom. Kids will get to make their own instruments for a group jam session!
WEEK 2
Devona Stimpson
devonastimpson.com
@devonastimpson
Let’s annihilate the status quo of “starving artists” with Devona. She is a multifaceted artist who’s turned her artistic talents into a thriving business. From bold branding and captivating public speaking to stunning, large-scale murals, she’s built a career that’s anything but ordinary. Devona has worked with major brands like DirecTV, Dell, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Urban Decay—and the list keeps growing. Get ready to be inspired by how she blends art and entrepreneurship to make an unforgettable mark on the world.
Students will explore. the process the professionals follow when creating art for a client. Kids will get to create their own design and scale it up.
WEEK 3
Thomas Tran
artbythomastran.com
@artbythomas
Thomas Tran’s murals aren’t just paintings—they’re immersive experiences. Whether you’ve stumbled upon his “Longevity” mural in Chinatown or explored the mind-bending world of Meow Wolf Houston, his psychedelic, otherworldly creations leave a lasting impression.
Students will get to step directly into Thomas’ mysterious world as he reveals the secrets behind his creations—sharing his sketches, original art, and personal journals. Then, grab your drawing tools and let your imagination soar as Thomas will lead a collaborative drawing adventure where we'll dream up our own creations that are out of this world.
WEEK 4
Lisa Chow
Lisa is a talented book illustrator and aspiring author represented by Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Step into the world of illustration with Lisa as she shares her inspiring journey—from a childhood love of books and doodles to a career in visual storytelling. Discover the unexpected twists that shaped her path, and gain insight into the creative process behind her unique style.
Lisa will lead students a through collaborative brainstorming session and guide them in crafting their own zines, blending storytelling with personal expression.
WEEK 5
Derrik Diza
influentialwalls.com
@influentialwalls
Discover the power of murals with Influential Walls founder Derrik Diza. Through his California based mural agency, he empowers youth with skills that prepare them for college, careers, and beyond through mural painting and workshops.
Beyond his own work, Derrik has built a thriving network of artists through The Influential Walls Mentorship Program, coaching them to turn their passion into success. His team has collectively generated over $1,000,000 in mural sales—proving that art isn’t just creative, it’s a powerful career path.
Derrik will share how his creative skills have fueled his success in both the art and business worlds. Derrik will also teach a modern technique called doodle grids—an exciting way to scale up designs and bring big ideas to life.
WEEK 6
Schedule & Program
Regular hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm with option for early arrival (8am), extended day (til 4pm), and lunch for purchase or bring your own.
Each week, students will collaborate on a mural or group artwork, participate in an Artist Talk & Activity with a guest speaker, and practice drawing and painting techniques through exercises and individual projects.
Each day kicks off with a daily doodle, giving students a chance to practice sketching with pencils and pens. From there, we dive into collaborative mural painting, learning techniques hands-on as we work directly on a wall or large canvas. After lunch, students dive into their individual projects. We guide them step by step, helping them bring their ideas to life.
Primary Tools & Medium: Acrylic Painting and Illustration
Registration & Rates
Click “register now” for rates and sign up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are scholarships available? Yes! We’re looking to support families who would benefit from having their child attend a week-long summer program. Download the application form here.
Who are the kids learning from? Students will be learning primarily from Caroline Truong. Caroline is a practicing Artist with a BA in Art Education and has years of experience teaching in public schools. She has earned a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development, specializing in Instructional Design, and has experience developing programs and facilitating workshops. As an Artist, Caroline brings communities and schools together through collaborative mural projects, sharing her knowledge and love for painting. She’ll be supported by teaching assistants, and on occasion, local art instructors who may lead special activities. In addition, each week will feature a guest speaker, another practicing Artist who will host a talk and activity.
What ages is the program for, and how many kids will be in each group? Activities are geared towards kids ages 7–12 years old. We keep our groups small with a 1:8 adult-to-child ratio. This summer, Caroline Truong is the lead instructor. She’ll be joined by an assistant art teacher, and at times, guest instructors with professional experience in visual arts will lead special lessons.
Do you accept 6-year-olds? Yes, if they have shown enthusiasm and interest in visual arts activities, and could adapt in a mixed-age group. It helps if they attend with a sibling or friend. Our small group setting can accommodate with 1-on-1 support from teachers to ensure they feel supported.
I’m concerned my kid will get bored doing art all day. What’s your plan for that? That’s a fair concern—and one I understand as a parent myself. While this is an art-focused program for kids who enjoy drawing and painting, we know that kids need variety, movement, and downtime to stay engaged and inspired. In my own art practice, I use warm-ups and varied activities to get into a creative mindset, and I’ve designed this program with that same approach in mind. Mural painting gets kids moving, and working together. We'll also have guest instructors drop in to lead a unique activity that breaks up the routine. With the support of teaching assistants, we’re able to offer flexibility - whether a child wants to explore beyond the lesson, needs downtime, or to engage in something else before jumping back in.
Lunch, snacks, and food allergies? We have a snack pantry available for students, or students may bring their own lunch and snacks. There is option to purchase lunch, which is ordered from a local eatery or store. Our studio is not “nut free”. We cannot ensure that families refrain from sending their student to school with lunches/snacks that might have nuts in them. If your child has any type of food allergy, contact us to discuss the degree of severity prior to enrolling and how we can provide reasonable accommodations.
Where is the location? The 2025 program is being hosted at The Painter’s House, 3016 Houston Avenue, Houston, Texas 77009. The home is Caroline Truong’s guesthouse and studio for workshops.
What time is drop-off and pickup? The core program begins at 9am. We recommend dropping off your child 15 minutes prior to get set up. Drop-off before 8:45 am will be considered “Early Arrival” and the $15 rate applies. Please pick up your child by 3pm, when the core program ends. Pickup after 3:15 pm will be considered “Extended Day” and the $15 rate applies.