CHILDREN/TEEN CLASSES

All materials for children’s classes are furnished with a few exceptions, which require a small material fee. Please be sure your child is dressed comfortably for art activities and is ready to begin class on time.

($) = Tuition cost for members     No classes November 23–29
All classes held at the Des Moines Art Center unless otherwise indicated.

Age 2
Ages 3-4
Ages 4-5
Ages 6-8
Grades 2-5
Ages 9-12
Teen Classes (Ages 13-17)

Registration Information
Printable Registration Form
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AGE 2

Artistic Beginnings

This class is designed for you and your budding artist to experience a variety of art materials. Each day the group views a work of art at the museum and later enjoys making art together. Tuition covers one adult/child pair.

C691 Saturday 1:30 – 2:30 pm (2 weeks)
C691 is FULL
October 4 – 11
Nicole James Studio 3
Tuition $26 ($21)
Limit 6 adult/child pairs

C692 Saturday 1:30 – 2:30 pm (2 weeks)
C692 is FULL
November 8 – 15
Nicole James Studio 3
Tuition $26 ($21)
Limit 6 adult/child pairs

C693 Tuesday 11 am – 12 pm (2 weeks)
C693 is FULL
November 4 – 11
Nicole James Studio 3
Tuition $26 ($21)
Limit 6 adult/child pairs

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AGES 3-4

Art Adventures

Art Adventures is a journey for children and their adult companions for looking at and making art. Each day the group views a work of art in the museum and later enjoys making art together. Tuition covers one adult/child pair.

C694 Saturday 1:30 – 2:30 pm (3 weeks)
C694 is CANCELED
September 13 – 27
Staff Studio 3
Tuition $39 ($31)
Limit 6 adult/child pairs

C695 Saturday 1:30 – 2:30 pm (3 weeks)
October 18 – November 1
Jean Combs Studio 3
Tuition $39 ($31)
Limit 6 adult/child pairs

C696 Tuesday 11 am – 12 pm (3 weeks)
October 14 – 28
Jean Combs Studio 3
Tuition $39 ($31)
Limit 6 adult/child pairs

C697 Saturday 1:30 – 2:30 pm (3 weeks)
C697 is FULL
November 22 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Kelly Kentner Studio 3
Tuition $39 ($31)
Limit 6 adult/child pairs

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AGES 4–5

Artroom

This course is designed for the young child as an active orientation to the visual arts. Your child explores the museum’s collections and experiments with a variety of media in the studio. These include drawing, painting, mixing colors, and collage. Their young imaginations are sparked as they discover line, shape, color, light, and shadow.

C141 Tuesday 1:30 – 3 pm (13 weeks)
C141 is CANCELED
September 9 – December 9
(No class November 25)
Diana Darge Studio 3
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 8 students

C142 Wednesday 1:30 – 3 pm (13 weeks)
September 10 – December 10
(No class November 26)
Jan Page Studio 3
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 8 students

C143 Thursday 10:30 am – 12 pm (13 weeks)
C143 is CANCELED
September 11 – December 11
(No class November 22)
Diana Darge Studio 3
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 8 students

C144 Saturday 9:15 – 10:45 am (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Kari Heath Studio 3
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 12 students

C145 Saturday 11 am – 12:30 pm (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Kari Heath Studio 3
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 12 students

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AGES 6–8

Animals in Art

What child doesn’t love animals? This mixed-media course focuses on animals as inspiration for art making. Your child sculpts, draws, prints, and paints works of art inspired by animals found in works of art in the museum, art history, and stories.

C291 Wednesday 4:30 – 6 pm (7 weeks)
September 10 – October 22
Sara Butcher Studio 1
Tuition $91 ($73) Limit 16 students

C292 Saturday 11 am – 12:30 pm (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
Diana Darge Studio 1
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Drawing and Painting

Children enjoy learning how to see the world in new ways while improving drawing and painting skills. Your child experiences a variety of drawing and painting media and has many opportunities to take a closer look at works in the museum.

C231 Tuesday 4:30 – 6 pm (13 weeks)
September 9 – December 9
(No class November 24)
Diana Darge Studio 1
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

C232 Saturday 9:15 – 10:45 am (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Diana Darge Studio 1
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Drawing on Imagination

Is your child fixated on fantasy and imagination? This class allows children to invent imaginary characters and mythical creatures as they develop their drawing and painting skills.

C233 Wednesday 4:30 – 6 pm (6 weeks)
October 29 – December 10
(No class November 26)
Sara Butcher Studio 1
Tuition $78 ($64) Limit 16 students

Mixed Media

This class offers children an opportunity to experiment with a variety of materials to make 2-D and 3-D works of art. Children can create with several different materials such as wood, paper, paint, and found objects. Museum visits are planned to see works of art made from mixed media.

C241 Thursday 4:30 – 6 pm (13 weeks)
C241 is CANCELED
September 11 – December 11
(No class November 27)
Kelly Kentner Studio 5
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

C242 Saturday 1:30 – 3 pm (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Diana Darge Studio 1
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Drawing and Sculpture

Young students improve drawing skills, learn to draw from observation, and work with a variety of drawing materials and techniques. In addition, students are challenged to visualize a selection of their 2-D work in 3-D. Visits to the museum are planned for your child to learn about sculpture and drawing.

C262 Saturday 9:15 – 10:45 am (13 weeks)
C262 is CANCELED
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Stephanie Nelson Studio 5
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Art for the Autistic

This class supports art experiences for children with autism. Each child brings an adult companion to the class to share the opportunity to express themselves through painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, and other media.

C645 Saturday 1:30 – 3 pm (6 weeks)
November 1 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Jenipher Sutherland Studio 6
Tuition $78 ($64)
Limit 7 child/adult pairs

Creating with Clay

When children explore the sculptural medium of clay, there are always remarkable results! Children can express their ideas and create many forms while learning a variety of hand building techniques. We recommend that your child be in the 1st grade or above.

C271 Thursday 4:30 – 6 pm (13 weeks)
September 11 – December 11
(No class November 27)
Larissa Jung Studio 7
Tuition $187 ($149) Limit 12 students
Material fee $20, due at registration

C272 Saturday 9 – 10:15 am (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Nancy Briggs Studio 7
Tuition $187 ($149) Limit 12 students
Material fee $20, due at registration

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GRADES 2-5

Performance Plus: The Des Moines Playhouse and Art Center Present!

Grades 2 – 3
One-Minute Fairy Tales Inside and Out
C291 - Perform a role in a favorite one-minute fairy tale inside a hovel or a castle and outside in the deep, dark woods. During the first five weeks at The Art Center, design and paint backdrops, props, and masks. In the last five weeks at The Playhouse, rehearse and perform the play using everything that was designed and built! Invite friends and family to the performance held on the last day of class.

Grades 3 – 5
A Night at the Improv
C391 - Improvisation is inspired by wacky objects and way out settings. During the first five weeks, create the props and backdrops for comedic scenes. In the last five weeks at The Playhouse, rehearse and perform improvisational scenes using everything that was designed and built! Invite friends and family to the performance held on the last day of class.

Friday 4:15 – 5:15 pm (10 sessions)

September 19 – October 17
at the Des Moines Art Center

October 24 – November 21
at the Des Moines Playhouse

Tuition $110 ($90 Art Center member or Playhouse subscriber)

Registration for the classes C291 and C391 must be made payable and mailed to:
The Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
or register online at www.dmplayhouse.com. Questions? Call 515.974.5356.

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AGES 9–12

Cartooning & Drawing

Create a cartoon character and a storyboard. Learn more about drawing the human form in action, having fun, and other imaginative settings. Basic fundamentals of illustration including line, shading, proportion, gesture, and composition are covered.

C311 Tuesday 4:30 – 6 pm (13 weeks)
September 9 – December 9
(No class November 25)
Sara Butcher Studio 5
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 12 students

C312 Saturday 11 am – 12:30 pm (13 weeks)
C312 is FULL
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Amy Tingstrom Studio 6
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 12 students

Drawing on Imagination

Explore the world of fantasy and imagination. Students create mythical creatures and imaginary worlds as they improve their drawing and painting skills.

C313 Saturday 11 am – 12:30 pm (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Sara Butcher Studio 2
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Drawing and Painting

Learning about drawing and painting from observation can stimulate a young person to examine and contemplate subjects. Landscape (weather permitting) and still life are emphasized, and a variety of drawing and painting materials are used. Children study exemplary works in the museum for inspiration.

C331 Thursday 4:30 – 6 pm (13 weeks)
C331 is CANCELED
September 11 – December 11
((No class November 22)
Tracy Duran, Vistiting Artist Studio 2
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

C332 Saturday 9:15 – 10:45 am (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Sarah Butcher Studio 2
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Mixed Media

This class introduces your child to innovative works in the museum and inspires their own creations. Students concentrate on both 2-D and 3-D projects using a variety of techniques, including drawing, collage, printmaking, and painting.

C341 Wednesday 4:30 – 6 pm (13 weeks)
C341 is CANCELED
September 10 – December 10
(No class November 26)
Kelly Kentner Studio 2
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

C342 Saturday 9:15 – 10:45 am (13 weeks)br />C342 is CANCELED
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 24)
Amy Tingstrom Studio 6
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Drawing and Sculpture

Young students improve drawing skills, learn to draw from observation, and work with a variety of drawing materials and techniques. In addition, students are challenged to visualize a selection of their 2-D work in 3-D. Visits to the museum are planned for your child to learn about sculpture and drawing.

C361 Saturday 11 am – 12:30 pm (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Stephanie Nelson Studio 5
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students

Architectural Design

Experience how mathematics, technology, and art work together in the production of a product. Students use a variety of materials to create 2-D and 3-D models. Discuss the unique architecture of the museum. Students who have previously taken the course are invited to take the class for advanced instruction.

C362 Saturday 1:30 – 3 pm (13 weeks)
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Al Williams Studio 5
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students
Material fee $10, due at registration

Digital Photography

Students are encouraged to explore their world through digital photography. Learn about light, contrast, and composition. Each student must bring a point-and-shoot digital camera and cable or card reader to class.

C393 Saturday 1:30 – 3 pm (4 weeks)
September 13 – October 4
Rachel Merrill-Schwaller Studio 6
Tuition $52 ($42) Limit 12 students
Material fee $20, due at registration

Creative Ceramics

Explore the medium of clay through different hand building techniques. Your child learns about important ceramic artists’ work as well as the processes from raw clay to glazed and fired works.

C371 Tuesday 4:30 – 6 pm (13 weeks)
C371 is FULL
September 9 – December 9
(No class November 25)
Larissa Jung Studio 7
Tuition $193 ($154) Limit 12 students
Material fee $20, due at registration

C372 Saturday 10:30 am – 12 pm (13 weeks)
C372 is FULL
September 13 – December 13
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Nancy Briggs Studio 7
Tuition $193 ($154) Limit 12 students
Material fee $20, due at registration

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TEEN CLASSES (AGES 13–17)

Drawing and Painting

Learn to draw and paint from observation using a variety of media by studying exemplary works in the museum. Subject matter is still life and landscape (weather permitting) with emphasis on realistic observation and perspective.

C431 Thursday 3:45 – 5:45 pm (13 weeks)
September 11 – December 11
(No class November 27)
Sara Butcher Studio 1
Tuition $169 ($135) Limit 16 students
Material fee $20, due at registration

Drawing and Watercolor

Learn to draw and paint from observation using watercolor as the paint medium. Explore self-expression while mastering various watercolor painting techniques with a dual emphasis on realistic observation and imaginative painting.

C432 Saturday 1 – 3 pm (13 weeks)
C432 is FULL
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Sara Butcher Studio 2
Tuition $154 ($123) Limit 16 students
Material fee $20, due at registration

Recycled Runway

Transform the old clothes in your closet into works of fashionable art. Use stencils, screen printing, dyeing, sewing, and other creative techniques to alter your out-of-date clothing. Bring 6 – 10 pieces of clothing to remake into items of couture.

C441 Wednesday 4:30 – 6 pm (6 weeks)
October 29 – December 10
(No class November 26)
Kari Heath Studio 5
Tuition $78 ($64) Limit 12 students
Material fee $15, due at registration

Fashion Illustration I

This introductory course focuses on the techniques of pencil shading and pen and ink as applied to fashion illustration. Learn how to render fabric patterns and textures as well as how to draw draped fabric.

C442 Wednesday 3:45 – 5:45 pm (7 weeks)
September 10 – October 22
Charlotte Whatley Studio 5
Tuition $91 ($73) Limit 12 students

Ceramics

Explore the sculptural medium of clay, learn how to use the potter’s wheel, and learn about glazes. Study ceramic works and sculpture by artists from many cultures and time periods.

C471 Wednesday 3:45 – 5:45 pm (13 weeks)
September 10 – December 10
(No class November 26)
Nancy Briggs Studio 7
Tuition $200 ($160) Limit 12 students
Material fee $30, due at registration

C472 Saturday 1 – 3 pm (13 weeks)
C472 is FULL
September 13 – December 13
(No class November 29)
Nancy Briggs Studio 7
Tuition $200 ($160) Limit 12 students
Material fee $30, due at registration

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