DREAM BIRD SUMMER CAMP 2026
Our Purpose
Our kids art camps inspire creativity, connection, and confidence—helping kids discover the artist within through hands-on exploration and skill-building. With guided support, kids could work on projects or follow their curiosity while building confidence, connection and creative skills.
Exploring the world of murals and art directly from THE ARTISTS
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 get 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 alongside the Artist - seeing them in action and gaining inspiration directly from the experts.
Summer Camp 2026 Guest Artists - Coming Soon!
PAST GUEST ARTISTS SUMMER CAMP 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 leads the students in a teamwork exercise using collaborative painting.
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!
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 discover the process the professionals follow when creating art for a client.
Dalton Stark
Dalton Stark is a dino- drawing' maniac. According to him: “My sketchbooks are a very sacred place for me to practice this expressive and arcane form of imagination meditation. It is to me, all about intuition, making discoveries, creating connections, surprising yourself, having fun, and maybe even making yourself and others smile or laugh sometimes.“
Students will get to draw with Dalton and practice tapping into their own imaginations to create their own one of a kind doodles.
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.
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.
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.
The 2026 program is being hosted at 3016 Houston Avenue, Houston, Texas 77009.