kids Art CLASSES
The West Hartford Art League holds year round instruction for students ages 5 - 16 in the form of weekly daytime and evening art classes Monday - Saturday in the fall, winter, and spring, and a daytime art camp during the summer.
Spring Session:
Our Spring 2024 session will begin the week of April 1.
Registration for Members will open on Friday February 16 AT 10 am. Non-member registration opens 2 weeks later on Friday March 1st.
Membership is $35 for one-year Junior membership, ($75 for a family) and entitles you to a discount on classes, as well as early registration privileges.
Join HERE
spring CLASSES for children
Kids Monday Wheel Throwing
Mondays, April 1 - June 10 No class May 27
2:30-4:30pm, Ages 10+
Beth Reynolds
This course offers an introduction to basic wheel techniques. Through demonstration and practice, students will learn how to center clay and throw simple shapes on the wheel. Students may also choose to use hand building techniques to create their own pieces. Different methods will be used to decorate the pieces and all will be finished by glazing.
Stained Glass - 7 weeks
Thursdays, April 4 - May 23
No class April 11
4:00-5:15pm, Ages 10-15
Kelly Kelly
Join instructor Kelly Kelly in this fun stained glass class for kids. Create pieces of stained glass art using techniques that Louis Tiffany himself used. Students will have a choice of patterns with varied difficulties and will be guided through the entire process, from start to finish. This class is perfect for both beginners and those who may have taken a class before.
Art Club - 8 weeks
No class May 11 & 18th
Saturdays, April 6 - June 8
9:00-10:15am, Ages 7-9
Elena Gibson
In this weekly class, young artists will enjoy creating through painting, drawing, printmaking, collage and more. Activities are designed to encourage individual expression and inspire creativity while providing the child with an opportunity to explore a wide range of art media. Returning students are welcome, as each session of Art Club offers new projects for them to create.
Saturday Wheel Throwing for Kids
Saturdays, April 6 - June 8
11:00am-1:00pm, Ages 10+
Beth Reynolds
This course offers an introduction to basic wheel techniques. Through demonstration and practice, students will learn how to center clay and throw simple shapes on the wheel. Students may also choose to use hand building techniques to create their own pieces. Different methods will be used to decorate the pieces and all will be finished by glazing.
Art For Young Children - 8 weeks
No class May 7 & 14th
Tuesdays, April 2 - June 4
4:15-5:15pm, Ages 5-7
Elena Gibson
This class is for the young child who loves art. This class will introduce children to a variety of art materials and techniques while encouraging them to use their imagination as they explore the basic concepts of line, shape, color and design through colorful collage, tempera and watercolor paints, crayons, pastels, and air-dry clay.
Explore Different Cultures: Draw, Print, Sculpt & Paint!
Fridays, April 5 - June 7
4:00-5:30pm, Grades 3-5
Beth Reynolds
As artists, we can virtually travel anywhere for inspiration. Join in the fun of exploring different cultures, experimenting with a variety of media, and learning new techniques. Come to the Great Barrier Reef to sculpt a ceramic sea creature and create a multi-media under the sea piece, to Japan to pull fish prints, make a fish kite and try Sumi painting. Lastly visit Monet's home in Giverny, France to paint in an Impressionist style "en plein air.” Work on your drawing and painting skills, try printing and creating sculptures.Bring an old T-shirt or smock, and your creativity!
Art for Young Children Saturdays - 8 weeks
No class May 11 & 18th
Saturdays, April 6 - June 8
10:30 - 11:30 am, Ages 5-7
Elena Gibson
For the young child who loves art. This class will introduce children to a variety of art materials and techniques while encouraging them to use their imagination as they explore the basic concepts of line, shape, color and design through colorful collage, tempera, watercolor paints, crayons, pastels, and air-dry clay.
Sunday Comics for Younger Cartoonists
Sundays, April 14 - June 16
9:00-10:15am, Ages 7-10
Sam Ferri
Comics offer a means of storytelling accessible to all ages and skill levels. In this class for our younger cartoonists, students will learn how to draw a variety of characters, have them interact, express emotions, place them in a scene, and most importantly, shape a narrative. Taught by a working cartoonist (MAD Magazine, Time Out NY, The NY Observer, Funny Times and others…), students will engage in fun exercises meant to help them hone their skills, participate in group drawing activities and create their very own finished comics.
Wednesday Wheel Throwing for Kids
Wednesdays, April 3 - June 5
2:30-4:30pm, Ages 10+
Beth Reynolds
This course offers an introduction to basic wheel techniques. Through demonstration and practice, students will learn how to center clay and throw simple shapes on the wheel. Students may also choose to use hand building techniques to create their own pieces. Different methods will be used to decorate the pieces and all will be finished by glazing.
Dare to Doodle: the Art of the Comic Jam
Saturdays, April 13 - June 15
9:00-10:15am, Ages 11-15
Sam Ferri
In this class, young cartoonists will take comics apart, reassembling and rearranging them to figure out what makes ‘em tick. Students will explore what propels or breaks narrative, how to generate engaging characters, and engage drawing games and exercises that lead to unexpected ideas and elements. No prior comic-making experience necessary, just a curiosity for doodling and collaboration with fellow students. Samuel Ferri is a local cartoonist for outlets such as MAD a magazine, The NY Observer, Time Out New York, Funny Times, A&E Biography and other corners of the universe as well as the Coordinator of the makerspace Studio 20 South at the West Hartford Public Library.
Kids Hand Building
Saturdays, April 6 - June 8
9:00-10:30am, Ages 6-9
Beth Reynolds
A good introduction to clay is the hand building technique. Explore the versatility of clay as you experiment using the hand building techniques of pinching, coiling and slab. Each week, individual creativity is encouraged, as students bring their own ideas to life. Different methods will be used to decorate the pieces, and all pieces will be finished by glazing.