Category: Children

These classes are designed for children ages 5-8.

First time students learn by illustrating a children's book. Students sketch ideas, improve their drawings, and color their illustrations to create a wonderful keepsake of their artistic beginnings. Returning 5 to 8 year olds advance into acrylic painting, refining their picture-making skills and exploring painting techniques.

As students learn the concepts of design and color theory, we continue to develop their drawing skills. As they progress, the class introduces them to painting.

Through our innovative methods, we prepare our youngest students for the advanced drawing, watercolor and oil paintings that they will create when they are older. With faithful attendance, many of our young students advance into drawing and painting classes reserved for 9 to 13 year old students as early as age seven.

Summer Camps 2023

Due to the pandemic we will not be holding any Summer Camps at our location. We will, however, run two Landscape Painting Camps outdoors.

Van Gogh Self Portrait — "If you hear a voice within you saying 'You are not a painter,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
-Vincent Van Gogh
1853-1890

In this summer camp section we advertise workshops for teens and young adults by local artists we dearly admire. They stand with dedication to pass on traditional methods in practical ways to the next generation of Minnesota painters. Many of the students who join these camps find that their skills progress very quickly because of the steady routine a daily workshop offers.

Attendees will receive individual instruction and work at their own pace in a non-competitive environment. Student to teacher ratio is always low to ensure a successful learning experience.

All camps are open to both new and continuing students. The course description, date, time. and cost for each workshop is listed below.

Dates and costs are also listed on our registration page.

Stuart Loughridge Summer Camp: Outdoor Landscape Sketching in Pencil and Watercolor, Ages 13-18

Stuart Loughridge
A Series of Watercolor River Sketches dating from March 8th, 2020, through April 11th, 2020
(A bicycle was the mode of transport used when Stuart went out to paint these sketches.)

Tuesday August 2nd – Friday August 5th*
*This camp meets 9:00 am – 5:00 pm each day.

Minnesota Artist Stuart Loughridge is helping us take kid's art education to a whole new level! We are proud to advertise that he will teach students how to draw and create pencil, ink, and watercolor sketches outdoors using a limited number of supplies for maximum portability. This four-day workshop will be held at Lilydale Park (Lake Pickerel), which has ample parking, public bathrooms, and rain shelter.

Stuart is one of the finest landscape artists in the Twin Cities, so DON'T miss this unique opportunity to study with this dedicated artist!

The cost of the Camp is $350.

Take both of our Landscape workshops for $625. That’s a $75 discount!

Jack Dant Summer Camp, Plein Air Outdoor Landscape Painting in Oils, Ages 13-18

Jack Dant, Instructor
Plein Air Oil Painting

Thursday August 10th – Sunday August 13th*
*This camp meets 6:00-9:00 pm on Thursday, then 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Friday to Sunday.

We are proud to advertise that Minnesota plain air landscape artist Jack Dant will lead a small group of teens out into the sunshine to paint nature en plein air in oils. Jack has led youth groups for years and is wonderful with kids; he is devoting countless hours to develop this camp to impart over thirteen years of landscape painting experience to young painters. DON'T miss this unique opportunity to study with a committed painter!

The cost of the Workshop is $350.

Take both of our Landscape workshops for $625. That’s a $75 discount!

Basic Elements of Drawing and Design for Ages 7-8

SPRING 2023 COVID UPDATE

Due to the pandemic we are NOT offering this class during the term.

If you have any questions, please call us (651) 699-1573.

Thank you for your interest.

"I have had a joy from which no one can rob me. Can you offer anything to that joy of an artist?"
-Mary Cassatt 1844-1926

In our Introductory Program, we concentrate on color, composition, and basic drawing. After students have gained an elementary understanding of design and color theory, we further develop their drawing skills and introduce them to painting.

First time students learn by illustrating a children’s book. Students sketch ideas, improve their drawings, and color their illustrations to create a wonderful keepsake of their artistic beginnings. Returning 7- to 8-year-olds advance into acrylic painting, refining their picture-making skills and exploring painting techniques. All 7-8-year old students sign up for our Basic Elements of Drawing and Design, we place them in the appropriate classroom, Books or Painting.

Through our innovative method of teaching drawing, painting, and design to our youngest students we are best able to prepare them for the advanced drawing, watercolor and oil paintings that they will create when they are older. With faithful attendance, it is not unusual for our 7- to 8-year-old students to advance into drawing and painting exercises reserved for our 9 to 13 year old students as early as age seven.