Kids' Workshop FAQs

Absolutely! I encourage parents to do this for a few reasons. First, it enables you to help your child continue developing their skills long after the workshop is over. Also, it can build your relationship with your child as you communicate that you value his interests. One word of caution: let your child make mistakes, and let me be the one to help him learn the proper method. This will allow you- and your son- to enjoy the workshop. If you both come to learn, you'll both have a great time!

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Check the information pertinent to each particular workshop. In some cases some materials are supplied, but there may either by a small material fee for supplemental items, or you may be asked to bring along something from home (e.g. your sketchbook).

If there is anything not supplied or covered in the workshop, we'll make it known so you can be prepared. If in doubt, just ask!

Fool allergies? I'm allergic to fools, too, and avoid them when possible. :)

I assume you meant 'food' allergies, so I'll address that just in case. Generally, we provide a lunch of a variety of pizzas with fruit and a drink (water, juice, and soda). If your child has food allergies, it's best to either bring along a lunch from home or supply us with a note advising to restrict your child from certain types of foods (or fools). We'll do our best to keep tabs on those with food allergies, though keep in mind that we often have a lot of kids to keep in order during workshops.

We'll give you a refund policy up to two weeks prior to an event. If you received a coupon discount for signing up for multiple events, and canceling causes you to not meet the coupon requirements, then the difference will be deducted from your refund. However, you are welcome to apply a course fee towards another future event instead with no penalty to keep your multiple-event discount.

You bet I do! I have a lifetime of experience both as a child and as a parent (I learned much from my father, also a professional artist, and I guide my own children's creative juices).

At each workshop I hand out a "homework" sheet that summarizes the principles learned in the workshop and activities to continue practicing at home. This is a good start. The main thing I find for spurring kids' creativity is to give them the resources (materials). the encouragement (heavy on pointing out the good, gentle on constructive criticism), teach by example (sit next to them and let them SEE you do what you would like to see them try), and lastly, encourage them to see outside the box that they're currently limited by. On this last point, I don't mean to be different merely for the sake of being different, but to find new ways of expressing what they already know, and see things that they've missed seeing up to now. You can read more about this on my post "Spurring Your Child's Creativity".

Though both ArtShops and ArtCamps feature serious instruction, ArtShops are more introductory, and ArtCamps are intermediate/advanced. ArtShops are a series of one-day events that cover the fundamentals of whatever the ArtShop topic is (i.e. Drawing, Color, Painting, etc.). ArtCamps take this a step, or a few steps, further by allowing more time to develop each project. For example, we may spend three consecutive days developing a single portrait. ArtCamps are also geared towards older kids, and so the instruction is more advanced. Note: because of the individualized instruction, both options are geared to accommodate beginner to advanced students.