This naturalistic study reports the language and literacy-learning opportunities, and the conditions necessary to bring them about, in the art component of an innovative intergenerational programme. The focus is on the children in the programme (median age 4), their interaction with adult participants (median age 85) and facilitators, and the ways in which they used various sign systems to communicate meaning. There were many semiotic opportunities within the art programme, and these opportunities were enhanced by the intergenerational factor. (Contains 14 notes.)