Art Classes for Children and Teens

The Center for Contemporary Art offers mixed media and in-depth art classes for young artists ages 5 through teens in drawing, painting, and pottery. Children develop a solid foundation to expand upon as they progress and explore the principals of visual art, art historical periods and styles, and the work of well-known artists. Teachers provide frequent demonstrations and individual attention.

As part of all children’s classes, children will visit and discuss the art on view in the galleries with their teacher.

• Mixed Media: Students will complete fun hands-on projects that encourage self-expression and creative problem-solving through the exploration of a variety of media, including acrylic paint, pastel, watercolor, tempera, colored pencil, charcoal, and oil pastels.
• Pottery: Students will explore the nature of clay and learn how to transform it into their own functional vessels and creative sculptural projects using the pottery wheel and hand-thrown techniques. Glazing and firing will be covered.
• Painting In-Depth: Students will explore painting in acrylics, watercolors, and paint pens with attention to the use of color, light, shadow, composition, and brush handling. Students will work from still life arrangements or favorite photographs.
• Drawing In-Depth: Students will learn about the elements of a good drawing and develop a firm foundation of form, composition, proportion, value, perspective, and line quality. Students will work from still life arrangements or favorite photographs.

Children need only bring a smock and a smile as all supplies are included in the cost of children’s art classes.

Birthday Art Parties

Celebrate your child’s birthday with a creative twist. Parties are perfect for children ages 5 to 15 years old, and parents may select from one of several creative and educational art projects each designed with fun in mind. Based on availability, 1.5 hour parties are offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The first hour of the party will be a guided art project followed by 30 minutes to sing and socialize.

Summer Art Camps

Weekly summer art camps for children ages 5-15 are designed to stimulate creative expression through projects and activities that change each week. Children have fun, develop important artistic techniques, and learn about the principles of visual arts.