Our small classes, taught by professional instructors, are designed to encourage making, appreciating and thinking about art. Our programs foster imagination and encourage exploration of personal connections with materials and ideas.
Our art instructors give a great deal of thought to the themes, skills, and concepts that will be covered in classes. In our curriculum we recognize the varying abilities of students within a single class and our instructors plan to incorporate multiple ways to challenge all the students at the highest levels of their abilities. Our art class curricula meets State of Michigan Standards, Benchmarks, and Grade Level Content Expectations.
Ages 4-8: 4:30-5:30 PM
Ages 9-13: 6:00-7:00 PM
Monday Evenings
June 10, 17, & 24
Join us in the art room for all things Barbie! Create fanciful artwork with brilliant colors of fun. Be inspired by Barbie and Ken and create some frilly fashion designs, colorful backgrounds, and maybe even a little kooky, weird Barbie art!
Cost: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Instructor: Abby
Ages 6-9: 4:00-5:00 PM
Ages 10-15: 5:30-6:30 PM
Tuesday Evenings
June 11, 18, & 25
Students will work on creating a range of different types of characters. Begin with simple sketches, learn to create expression, mood and movement. Be inspired by your favorite video game characters. Add a pop of color with oil pastels, marker and watercolor to bring them to life!
Cost: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Instructor: Abby
Ages 4-8: 4:30-5:30 PM
Ages 9-13: 6:00-7:00 PM
Wednesday Evenings
June 12, 19, & 26
Be inspired by sunny days filled with a rainbow of colors. Enjoy creating with paint, collage and watercolor in a way that celebrates the vivid colors of summer fun! Learn to use the entire spectrum creating art with symmetry, balance and design.
Cost: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Instructor: Coming Soon
Ages 13-17: 4:00-5:00 PM
Ages 18 and Up: 5:30-7:00 PM
Wednesday Evenings
June 12, 19, & 26
Have you always wanted to learn more about creating beautiful acrylic paintings on canvas? Become familiar with painting tools, tricks and techniques. Learn a bit about color theory, color mixing, highlights and shading. Work in the art studio with an inspiring instructor to guide you through the process. Beginners and experienced artists are welcome.
Cost: Ages 13-17: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Ages 18 and Up: $75 includes all supplies
Instructor: Coming Soon
Class Time 1: 2:00-2:45 PM
Class Time 2: 3:30-4:15 PM
Ages 2 1/2 – 4 with a parent/caregiver
Session 1: June 10, 11, & 12
Session 2: July 29, 30, & 31
Join your child in the Art Studio! Create colorful artwork inspired by summer fun. Dive in and drip, splatter and splash your way to beautiful masterpieces. Explore paint, glue, glitter and more. Wear your art clothes!
Cost: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Instructor: Jode
Ages 4-8: 4:30-5:30 PM
Ages 9-13: 6:00-7:00 PM
Monday Evenings
July 15, 22, & 29
If you love mixing up gooey, mushy, magnificent concoctions…then this artform is for you. Learn the recipes to make and color your own slime. Get sticky and creative as you paint, color and blend brilliant experimental art. Throw in some glitter, and enjoy a slimy good time.
Cost: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Instructor: Abby
Ages 4-8: 4:30-5:30 PM
Ages 9-13: 6:00-7:00 PM
Tuesday Evenings
July 16, 23, & 30
Like to get muddy? Join us for this immersive class as we put our hands into the dirt, water and paint!. Mix up some mudpies and create beautiful garden art, colorful stepping stones, and fancy painted rocks. Wear your art clothes, we’re going to get messy!
Cost: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Instructor: Abby
Ages 13-17: 4:00-5:00 PM
Ages 18 and Up: 5:30-7:00 PM
Tuesday Evenings
July 16, 23, & 30
Have you always wanted to learn more about painting beautiful watercolor flowers and foliage? Become familiar with the art styles and practice techniques in creating watercolor paintings, including layering, washes and color usage. Work in the art studio in an inspiring instructor to guide you through the process.
Cost: Ages 13-17: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Ages 18 and Up: $75 includes all supplies
Instructor: Rene
Ages 6-12: 3:30-4:30 PM
Ages 13-18: 5:00-6:00 PM
Wednesday Evenings
July 17, 24, & 31
Love to paint? Join us for a creative adventure exploring the process of mixed-media painting. Begin with learning painting techniques on canvas, then expand to add additional elements to finish off the piece. Your favorite pet will bring your painting to life. Your instructor will lead you through this fun artistic journey, as always, you are welcome to add your own creative flair! Please bring a 8×11 black and white photocopy of your favorite pet.
Cost: $40 or less* includes all supplies
Instructor: Rene
Fall classes begin the week of September 5th. Art classes run the full school year, from the week after Labor Day to the week before Memorial Day
See the Jackson School of the Arts calendar for a complete schedule. Registration is ongoing unless classes are full.
Holiday Parent Week
For one full week of art classes in December before the Holiday break…Parents are welcome to join their child in the Art Studio for a festive holiday art project, music, and refreshments.
“Art on the Town”
Some of our fall art classes will be a part of an exciting new opportunity, an “Art on the Town” experience. Students will create a few art pieces throughout the year that will be on display in businesses in downtown Jackson and throughout Jackson County. Some pieces may be offered up for auction, and some may be for display only, and students would get them back after they come down from their offsite galleries. We are so excited for our art students to have work showcased throughout the community! Classes involved in this experience are labeled “Art on the Town”!
Ages 4-6
Monday Evenings 4:45-5:30 PM
Create fanciful children’s art inspired by the greats. Learn some fun facts about famous artists throughout the ages, and see some of their amazing artwork. From week to week you will learn to put together a masterpiece based on their styles using paint, glue, watercolors, cut paper, markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, and more! Students will try their hand at drawing, painting with a variety of tools, and learning new creative techniques, all while creating delightful masterpieces.
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Carey
Ages 7-11
Monday Evenings 5:45-6:30 PM
Join us as we explore popular drawing themes. You, the artist, will explore line, shape, and composition as you work to develop your original sketches into finished pieces. Learn how to bring your drawings to life through the use of color, shading, and texture. You’ll get to work through numerous art techniques including color mixing, painting techniques, and adding details. In this unique class, you will get to try your hand at pencil, color pencil, acrylic paint, watercolor, and even clay! Showcase your creativity in this mixed-media adventure.
(Art on the Town)
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Carey
Ages 12-18
Monday Evenings 7:00-8:00 PM
Indulge in your love of art! Calling all student artists seeking an art class that nourishes individuality and emphasizes creativity in art making. This all-experience-level class will meet in a small group setting for individualized instruction and hands-on demonstrations. Bring your drawings to life as you explore line, shape, color, and composition. Develop your original sketches into finished pieces as you build a beautiful body of work-showcasing your creativity!
(Art on the Town)
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Carey
Tuesday Evenings
Ages 6-10 from 4:30-5:30 PM
Ages 11-15 from 6:00-7:00 PM
Love gaming, and video game characters? This cartooning class is for you! Use your creativity to tell a story through your drawings. Learn some basic tricks to get the look of various popular video game images. Create a video game concept, and characters of your own. Begin with simple characters, learn to create expression, mood and movement. In this class we will explore a variety of mediums…add a pop of color with chalk pastels, colored pencil, markers, paint and watercolor.
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Abby
Wednesday Evenings
Ages 5-8 from 5:00-6:00 PM
Ages 9-13 from 6:30-7:30 PM
Love to paint? In this class, we will explore what different kinds of paint, such as, watercolor, acrylic, and tempera paint will do on different surfaces from the canvas and beyond. Learn the basics of color-mixing, brush technique, light and shading, and more. We will also use various tools, beyond the paintbrush, including stamping, printmaking, and stencils! Join us to explore a pallet of brilliant colors, creating works of art that will impress.
(Art on the Town)
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Rene
Ages 2-3 with a parent or caregiver
Thursday Mornings 9:45-10:30 AM
Beautiful messy fun will happen when you join your child for their very first art class. The colors of the seasons will inspire us as we work on projects together discovering paint, creating with clay, cutting, tearing, drippy watercolors, glitter, glue, and so much more. Wear your paint shirt, and get ready for some colorful creative fun!
(Art on the Town)
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Jode
Ages 3-5 with a parent or caregiver
Thursday Mornings 11:00-11:45 AM
Art is fun and messy. We will explore many materials in the art room from finger paint, to watercolors, gloppy glue, and glitter galore! Drive cars through paint, stomp dinosaur footprints, and create colorful abstract works of art. We will find inspiration in the changing of the seasons, and enjoy the process of creating beautiful children’s art.
(Art on the Town)
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Jode
Thursday Evenings
Ages 4-8 from 5:00-6:00 PM
Ages 9-13 from 6:30-7:30 PM
Let’s explore the world of 3-dimensional design using what nature has to offer to create sculptural works of art with sticks, stones, leaves, and flowers. We will also explore various types of materials including, modeling clay, oven-bake clay, cardboard, paper mache’, beads & wire, and found objects. Your instructor will inspire you to use your creativity as you get your hands messy, and create magnificent sculptural masterpieces from the table up!
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Abby
Ages 2-5 with a parent or caregiver
Friday Mornings 10:00-10:45 AM
Enjoy a beautiful morning in the art room with your child. Create fanciful children’s art inspired by our all-time favorite children’s books! Learn some fun facts about famous authors and illustrators throughout the ages, and create an art piece based on their styles using paint, glue, glitter, watercolors, cut paper, markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, and more!
Cost: $45 a month or less*
Plus $28 Registration Fee
Instructor: Rene
Ages 16+
Monday Evenings 5:30-7:30 PM
(Class size limit of 10 students)
Everyone is an artist. Indulge your love of art and grow at your own pace. This inspiring class is for students of any skill and experience level. Meet with friends in a small group setting for individualized instruction, and hands-on demonstrations… find your inner artist! Enjoy one four-week session, or take all three!
(Art on the Town)
Session 1: Acrylic Painting
January 8 – February 19 (No class Jan 15 MLK)
Six Week Session
$125 includes tuition and all materials
Join us in the Art Studio for this wonderful six week adventure in acrylic painting. In this class you will learn color-mixing, brush technique, use of value, light and shading. We will practice painting in step-by-step lessons, learn to add the finer details, and allow time to practice what was learned. Students will have the choice to work from a prepared still-life, or you may bring several favorite photos to choose from. With this specialized class you’ll be provided various techniques and individualized instruction to help you refine your skills.
Session 2: Drawing and Sketching
February 26 – March 18
Four Week Session
$100 includes tuition and all materials
Learn to use graphite, pencils, and colored pencils to create beautiful drawings from a still-life, or you can bring a favorite photo to work from. Our amazing instructor will introduce you to line, shape, value, texture and form. We will work on composition, design, and learn fun techniques to express yourself through open sketching, guided drawing, and doodles. You’ll be provided various techniques, sketching tips, and individualized instruction to help you learn and refine your skills.
Session 3: Botanical Watercolors – In Plein Air
April 22 – May 13
Four Week Session
$100 includes tuition and all materials
Join us in the Art Studio, or weather permitting, outside in our ground-floor courtyard. Learn to paint beautiful watercolor flowers and foliage. Start with sketching a variety of flowers from still-life. Become familiar with the watercolor pallet and practice techniques in creating watercolor paintings, including layering, color-mixing, washes and color usage. Work with an inspiring instructor to guide you through the process.
Students in this class will have artwork featured in our Annual All Student Art Exhibition on May 19th.
Instructor: Janet
“A Not so Valentine”
Ages 21+
Friday, February 9 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Calling all my single ladies (or those who need a night on the town) to a fun one night event that will take place on February 9. This fun evening will include wine and painting. You will create a fun canvas painting that will stray away from the traditional Valentine’s theme.
You can enjoy a glass of wine and some appetizers as you paint and create in our beautiful downtown location. Your attendance helps support all our wonderful students on scholarship, and you get to have fun with friends or make new ones here at JSA.
Cost: $30 Per Person (Light refreshments and art materials included )
Instructor: Rene
Ages 18+
New this session! Cookies & Canvas offered at the same day and time so your little painter can enjoy a class at the same time.
Ages 18+
Wednesday, July 24th 1:00-2:30
Paint on canvas, come with some friends or meet new friends, enjoy a coffee and some explore your creativity. Your instructor will lead you through a beautiful seasonal inspired painting. No worries if you feel you’re not an artist, we will lead the way. For the expert painters, there’s always room to add your own creative flare!
July 24th “Sail Away” [Register]
$25 Per Session
(Coffee and art materials included )
Instructor: Rene
Ages 21+
Next Session Arriving in Spring!
Paint on canvas, come with some friends or meet new friends, enjoy a glass of wine and light refreshments. Your instructor will lead you through a beautiful summer inspired painting. No worries if you feel you’re not an artist, we will lead the way. For the expert painters, there’s always room to add your own creative flare!
Spring Theme: TBD
$35 Per Session
(Light refreshments and art materials included )
Instructor: Rene
Ages 21+
Next Session TBD
Enjoy an evening out with your significant other, meet other couples, and enjoy some wine and light refreshments. Put on your aprons in the Art Studio and create a couples canvas. Your instructor will lead you through the steps to create a harvest inspired painting on canvas together.
Each ticket is for two people!
This event is also a great way for you to enjoy some time in our newly-renovated Downtown facilities free from our typical youth-filled environment. This evening is just for the grown-ups!
$50 Per Couple
(Art materials and light dessert refreshments included)
Instructor: Rene
We may be known for our weekly art classes for all ages, but we are now offering custom painting classes for your group of event! This will allow you to have a special artistic experience with your group of friends, co-workers, or team members without having other outside people joining in so you can feel comfortable enjoying your time together.
One-Day Workshops
Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where girls can laugh, dream and create with friends and their favorite doll. Join us for arts, crafts, fun and of course a special tea party for girls and their dolls.
Read more about our American Girl Tea Parties
$28 Per Session (includes all art supplies, a magical afternoon, and a tea party for you and your favorite doll!)
Instructor: Jode & Jen
We may be known for our weekly art classes for all ages, but we are now offering custom painting classes for your group or event! Enjoy your own private art party for your group in our beautiful 3rd floor Art Classroom. Choose your project, and our amazing art instructor will lead you through, teaching techniques and skills step-by-step for a stunning finished piece!
Perfect for individuals, 4-H groups, Brownie or Girl Scout Troops, Birthday Celebrations or groups of friends. Anyone that would like a private art class for their group will love this experience.
The Basics