Art & Literature

This elementary age curriculum is designed to teach basic to advanced drawing skills, art techniques and vocabulary. Students are given the skills to express their creativity, as well as build self-confidence and self-esteem.  

Program Details

• Ages:  5 - 8 
• Dates: Tuesdays, March 7 - April 4  *No Class 3/28
• Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• Location:  Banta Activity Center
• Fee:  $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
• Register by: February 28

This club will guide students to create their own story. From plot and character development, to supporting with illustrations, each student will construct their own masterpiece to take home.  The class, as a whole, will also write their own story for Valpo Parks brand new Story Walk at Butterfly Meadows.

Program Details

• Age: 9 - 12
• Dates: Tuesdays, February 7 - 28
• Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• Location: Banta Activity Center
• Fee: $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
• Register by: January 31

Local nature photographer, Maria Overlay, will teach students the basics of nature photography, in our very own Valpo Parks. Students need to bring a camera or smartphone.  After the course is complete, students will be able to participate in a local photo exhibit.

Program Details

• Ages:  9 - 12
• Dates: Sundays, October 1 - 22
• Time: 1 - 2 pm
• Location:  October 1 - Creekside Trails
                    October 8 - Rogers Lakewood Park  
                    October 15 - Foundation Meadows Park 
                    October 22 - Ogden Gardens
  Fee:  $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident
• Register by: September 25

Summer is not over yet!  Come get groovy and tie-dye shirts, socks, and a bandana.  Come and create a wonder of color outside for this one day event. All materials provided.

Program Details

• Age: 9 - 12
• Dates: Saturday, August 12
• Times: 10 - 12 am
• Location: Rogers Lakewood Park
• Fee:  $75 Resident / $87 Non-Resident 
• Register by: August 4

We are proud to partner with the Art Barn to offer a series of painting and mixed medias classes.

Program Details

• Age: 10-13
• Dates: see schedule below
• Times: 5 - 6:30 
• Location: Banta Activity Center
• Fee:  $90 Resident / $102 Non-Resident (per class)

Class Descriptions:

Painting I: Learn how to paint using various techniques. Come to class with an idea for a painting or get inspired by examples. Each student will complete at least one painting. All supplies included.

 Painting with Color Theory: Learn how to create paintings using monochromatic, analogous, complementary, and tetradic colors. This session will focus on introducing different color schemes to create dynamic compositions and how to create a mood/tone to your artwork. All supplies included.

 Painting with Texture: Learn how to draw and paint mythical creatures or wildlife of your choice. This session will focus on  texture, scale, and color matching to bring creatures to life on canvas. All supplies included.

Painting & Drawing Techniques: Learn how to paint and draw using various techniques to design a dynamic composition. Come to class with an idea for a painting or get inspired by examples. Each student will complete drawings and at least one painting. All supplies included.

 Drawing Anime I: This class focuses on building skills in the anime drawing style. Learn how to improve your line quality, create movement, use graphic framing, shading and how to exaggerate characters in anime style. All supplies included.

Painting & Drawing Anime II: Learn how to improve and exaggerate drawings using anime style techniques. Each student will complete drawings and at least one painting. All supplies included.