Select a Class

Drawing and Painting Studio for Teens with Kate (Free!) Mondays from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. Class runs from June 9th - August 11th. Class is for kids ages 12 - 17. Learn from a professional artist this summer as we work with different 2D media and a variety of subjects. We’ll use graphite and colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, colored pencils, as well as acrylic and oil paints. Subject matter will be chosen by students so come with ideas for what you’d like to learn! This class is for all levels of artistic experience--come have fun and create something spectacular! This class is free and grant-funded! 

*Kate Langlais is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 

Acrylic Beach Painting with Vida Cheley (Ages 5-10) Wednesday, June 11 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. Bring the beach to life! In this creative class, kids will design their own seaside scenes using acrylic paint and real sand for added texture. From beach creatures to rolling waves, students will use their imagination to create the beach of their dreams. It's a fun, hands-on way to explore painting while adding a little splash of the shore! Tuition: Member - $15, Non-Member - $17. (Supplies included in tuition!)

Painting With Yarn with Vida Cheley (Ages 9-13) Wednesday, June 11 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM. Explore a fun and tactile twist on traditional painting! In this creative class, students will sketch their own unique designs and bring them to life using vibrant yarn instead of paint! Learn techniques for outlining, filling, and layering yarn to create textured, colorful artwork. No experience needed—just bring your imagination and a love for color! Tuition: Member - $25, Non-Member - $29. (Supplies included in tuition!) 

Make a Miniature Table Lamp with Vida Cheley (Ages 10-16) Thursday, June 12 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. Light up your creativity! In this hands-on class, students will design and build their very own working night light using everyday materials like plastic cups and CDs. Perfect for a bedside table or cozy reading nook, these mini lamps are both fun to make and functional. Please note: this project requires the use of a hot glue gun—students will need to follow safety instructions carefully. Tuition: Member - $20, Non-Member - $22. (Supplies are included in the tuition.)

Summer Mosaic Panel with Sushila Anderson (June 14) Saturday, June 14 from 10 AM - 4:30 PM (with a 30-minute break for lunch!) Bring Summer into your home with a Summer-inspired mosaic on a wood panel! You will craft a stained glass mosaic then grout to add the finishing touch! This class is open for all levels of experience from beginners to regular mosaic crafters! Try something new! Closed-toe shoes are required! Tuition: Member - $110, Non-Member - $122. (Supplies are included in the tuition cost!) 

Paint a Portrait of your Pet with artist Julie Fakler: (ages 7 & up, ages 6 & under will need an adult helper!) June 19, 1PM-3PM. Member $20.00/Non-Member $24.00. Supply fee $10. Artist Julie Fakler will teach you step by step how to paint a portrait of your pet. In class you’ll learn about under painting, form, shape and color. Email your pet photo to info@paradisecenterforthearts.org and we can print it out for you. Wear clothes that can get paint on them. Students must get registered 3 days prior to the start of class.

Nature Photography Course with Autumn Carolynn: Friday, June 20th. 10 - 11:30 AM at The Paradise Center for The Arts, then a 30-minute break for lunch, then 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM at River Bend Nature Center! Discover the art and technique of capturing the natural world through your lens in Nature Photography 101. This beginner-friendly course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of photography, with a special focus on shooting in natural environments. The first half of the session will take place indoors and cover essential topics such as camera settings, composition, lighting, and gear recommendations through a visual presentation. In the second half, we’ll travel to River Bend Nature Center, where participants will apply their new skills during a guided photo walk through scenic trails. Please note that this portion of the course will involve walking and light hiking, so appropriate footwear and outdoor attire are recommended. Students are required to bring their own camera (DSLR, mirrorless, or high-quality smartphone) and arrange their own transportation to and from the nature center. This well-rounded course offers both the technical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to begin capturing stunning nature photographs! Tuition: Member - $45, Non-Member: $50. 

Acting Fun for Little Ones (Session #1): 6/23, 6/24, 6/25, 6/26, and 6/27 10:00am-11:30am. For Ages 4-7, tuition $85. Each day, students may bring a nut-free snack with them, and students will need to bring a nut-free bag lunch to class June 27. There will be a short performance for family and friends on June 27 at 12:00pm. This class is designed to introduce kids ages 4-7 to the world of theater. We’ll play a variety of acting games to explore imagination and character. These young performers will bring short stories to life through imagination, movement, and playful storytelling! Most importantly we’ll have lots of fun! Class can be repeated. (Scholarships are available.) Instructors: Kayla Mollenhauer, Will McIntyre, and Bea Watts. 

*This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Handbuilding 1 Class: (For all ages -- although kids 4-7 will require an adult helper). Monday- Thursday, June 23-26, 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM. Dianne will glaze your pieces for you. Member $83/ Non-Member $98. (Includes 4 pounds of clay, additional clay may be purchased at $2/pound.) In this class students will turn their ideas into creations with Dianne's help - from creatures/superheroes/ fairies to games, cups and bowls. Let your imagination be your guide. We will also add color and use food safe glazes so creations can even be used with food. Clay and guidance will be provided. Come dressed to get dirty and have fun. Instructor: Dianne Lockerby 

Paint a Portrait of your Pet with artist Julie Fakler, with wine: Ages 21 and up. June 23 5:30PM-7:30PM. Member $26.00/Non-Member $30.00. Supply fee $10. Artist Julie Fakler will teach you step by step on how to paint a portrait of your pet. In class you’ll learn about under painting, form, shape and color. Email your pet photo to info@paradisecenterforthearts.org and we can print it out for you. Wear clothes that can get paint on them. Students must get registered 3 days prior to the start of class.

Wheelthrowing 1 Class: (Ages 10+) Monday- Thursday, June 23-26, 9:00 AM-10:30 AM. Glazing Day July 2nd, 9:00 AM - Noon. Member $91/ Non-Member $106. (Tuition includes 8 pounds of clay, then additional clay may be purchased at $2/pound.) This class is for the beginner or someone who has been away from clay for a bit. We will start with the basics of centering, opening and go on from there. Each day Dianne does demos and will guide you through the steps of throwing to achieve pieces on the wheel. Small at first, but as skills progress the pots will get bigger and the walls thinner. Persistence pays off here, but it does take time. This class is a taste of wheelwork.  Larger pots require more time than 4 days to learn the skills, but this class allows you to say, "I've thrown a pot!" and gives you an idea as to whether you would like to continue. Come join us, getting dirty and having fun. Bring a towel and wear clothes that can get dirty. Instructor: Dianne Lockerby

Sewing on Machines for Novice with Sabrina Roehrick Wednesday, June 25th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. This class is intended to either quickly teach the basics of using a sewing machine, or a quick brush-up for those who have used sewing machines previously--All experience levels are welcome! In this class, you will learn how to create a simple hand bag or a pillow case! Students are welcome to bring in their own fabric (one-yard, and an additional yard for a bag strap if you make the hand bag), but if not, the instructor will provide fabric! Students must be registered by June 14! Tuition Member: $65, Non-Member: $69. (Supplies Included in Tuition!)

Quilt in a Day: July 12th 10:00AM – 4:00PM, 30 minutes for lunch. For beginners. Ages 16 and up. Member $55/ Non- Member $66. Supply fee $25. Create a throw size quilt in one day! Students will learn how to piece a quilt top, assemble the three layers of the quilt (top, batting, and back), and tie the quilt. Students will be given precut squares, batting, and quilt back. Students will learn how to sew the quilt squares together using a sewing machine and how to iron the quilt top. All three layers will be sewn together and tied. Students will leave class with a finished throw size quilt, approximately 42”x57”. This is a perfect size for a baby quilt, or a throw for the couch. Kits will be provided and include everything you need to create your quilt. Instructor: Julie Fakler

Bring a lunch to class. Students will be using a sewing machine and iron. No rotary blades, fabric will be precut. Fabric donated by Pat & Katrina. Must be registered July 4th.

Summer Mosaic Panel with Sushila Anderson (July 25)  Friday, July 25 from 10 AM - 4:30 PM (with a 30-minute break for lunch!) Bring Summer into your home with a Summer-inspired mosaic on a wood panel! You will craft a stained glass mosaic then grout to add the finishing touch! This class is open for all levels of experience from beginners to regular mosaic crafters! Try something new! Closed-toe shoes are required! Tuition: Member - $110, Non-Member - $122. (Supplies are included in the tuition cost!) 

Acting Fun for Little Ones (Session #2): 8/11, 8/12, 8/13, 8/14, and 8/15 from 10:00am-11:30am. For Ages 4-7, tuition $85. Each day, students may bring a nut-free snack with them, and students will need to bring a nut-free bag lunch to class August 15. There will be a short performance for family and friends on August 15 at 12:00pm. This class is designed to introduce kids ages 4-7 to the world of theater. We’ll play a variety of acting games to explore imagination and character. These young performers will bring short stories to life through imagination, movement, and playful storytelling! Most importantly we’ll have lots of fun! Class can be repeated. (Scholarships are available.) Instructors: Kayla Mollenhauer, Will McIntyre, and Bea Watts.

*This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Minnesota Wood Cutout Mosaic Panel with Sushila Anderson Saturday, August 23 from 10 AM - 4:30 PM (with a 30-minute break for lunch!) Crast a custom Minnesota masterpiece! Learn the art of glass cutting to create a stunning mosaic design on a wood panel shaped like our beautiful state! Finish it off by grouting your creation to bring your design to life! This class is open to students of all levels of experience! Students must wear closed-toe shoes! Tuition: Member - $110, Non-Member - $122. (Supplies are included in the tuition fee!) 

Triangle Quilt with Artist Julie Fakler: Saturdays, August 23 & 30, 10AM-3PM, 30 minutes for lunch. This class is for someone who knows how to use a sewing machine and iron. Ages 16 and up. Member $80/ Non-Member $90. Supply fee $25. Create a 35” X 50” triangle quilt in two sessions! Students will learn how to piece a quilt top and assemble the three layers of the quilt: quilt top, batting, and back. Students will be given precut triangles, batting, and quilt backs. Students will learn how to sew the triangles together using a sewing machine to create the quilt top, and binding. Between the classes students will tie or hand quilt their quilts. Students will return to class to trim their quilts and add binding. Everything you need will be provided by Julie. Instructor: Julie Fakler.

Please bring a lunch to class. Students will use a sewing machine, iron, and rotary blade and will be using a needle and thread to hand sew. Pat Jarrett and Katrina Deyoung-Harper donated the fabric. Students must register by August 8.