On March 7, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond will transform its common area into a haven of homemade crafts, with tables displaying ceramics, jewelry, handmade books, calligraphy and more. Why? The organization is launching the second year of Side by Side, a free, community-wide program inviting adult-child pairs in for a variety of art-class sessions lasting three weeks.

“The idea behind Side by Side is that it provides opportunities for multigenerational pairings to problem-solve and create together,” says Sally Kemp, the organization’s director of community outreach. “It’s a program where children, ages 5 to 15, sign up with a special adult in their life. It can be anybody: an adult sibling, mom, dad, grandparents, neighbor, uncle, friend.”

Funded by The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, Side by Side is offered in March (7, 14, 21) and April (4, 11, 18). The first session of the month, attendees are encouraged to arrive early to browse the common-area tables and register for the classes they want to attend. Each week, attendees will come away with a handmade craft. Participants must sign up (353-0094 or visarts.org/side-by-side-saturdays) before attending.