Education is the gift that keeps on giving, and there is no better time than the present to learn a new skill or enhance a current one. Krasl Art Center offers a wide array of art classes, from Youth (age 5 and up), to Teen and Adult. With seven different indoor studios that present a multitude of classes, anyone and everyone can be an artist. Choose from drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and woodworking in this fun, friendly, and creative atmosphere.
Children taking an art class for the first time at Krasl Art Center will find it rewarding in many different ways. Nathan Margoni, Education Manager at Krasl, tells us “Students have permission to get messy and experiment through creative problem solving in a way that isn’t always allowed at home or school. Students are guided by KAC Teaching Artists to explore the elements and principles of art.” This immersive learning style can help with building confidence and promote self-expression in each student. “They will have a chance to tell stories with their art, which can be healing and helpful in processing stressful experiences. Making art is a great way to make friends, and it is a joy for us to see the students grow and develop as artists, people, and leaders in the community,” says Nathan.
Classes fill up quickly, as Covid protocols limit the class sizes to smaller than usual. They recommend signing up as soon as possible, and they do offer a waiting list if the class you are interested in has filled up already. Registration is open now through January 17th, and the first classes begin on January 24th. Youth courses are twelve weeks long, and adult and teen courses are offered in four week and eight week sessions. In addition to the classes, workshops, and camps that are offered, Krasl will host free programs this winter. Dates will be announced in January, and you can stay current on all activities by signing up for their newsletter. To find tuition rates, class schedules, scholarship info, and Krasl memberships, visit krasl.org.
Krasl’s annual events, exhibits, and fundraisers have influenced area artists and the art community since their doors opened in 1979, and they continue to offer the best instruction and guidance. As a nonprofit art museum and learning center, Krasl Art Center ‘inspires meaningful change and strengthens the community through the visual arts’. They are located at 707 Lake Boulevard in St. Joseph, and are closed Tuesdays and Sundays.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
