Art Classes for kids 9-12
Drawing Skills
Engaging Art Lessons for Young Artists
Learning to draw is a lifelong asset. It gives children a powerful way to express emotions, beat boredom creatively, share ideas, and build joy, confidence, and self‑esteem. However, around age ten, many kids become self‑critical and stop drawing because they believe they “can’t do it.” Our program meets them at this turning point and shows them they absolutely can.
In our classes, students build skills step by step, improving their observation and using different drawing and painting media. As they progress, they gain the confidence to take on more complex projects.
3D Drawing Foundations
First, kids explore 12 core visual concepts—foreshortening, contour and cross‑contour lines, basic perspective, scale/size relationships, and more—to help their drawings read in 3D.
Realistic Drawing Skills
Next, guided observation lessons inspired by Dr. Betty Edwards’ Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain teach children “how to see” shape, angle, and proportion. These realistic drawing exercises are introduced in intervals alongside 3D work to reinforce learning. (See before/after progress gallery.)
Explore Art Media
Finally, as skills grow, students experiment with additional media: charcoal, soft pastels, oil pastels, watercolor, tempera, and acrylic paint. This gradual expansion builds confidence, color awareness, and creative problem‑solving. (See what else can be learned.)

What you get?
START ANYTIME.
Yes, you can enroll at any time, as long as there’s space available in the class. Additionally, we prorate your first month tuition based on your start date. Likewise, if you join in the middle of a quarter, we’ll prorate the quarterly admin fee accordingly.
PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS
Also, all our teachers have a college degree in an art-related field.
SMALL CLASS SIZE
Specifically, we limit each class to a maximum of 8 students.
GALLERY DAY EVENT
Above all, every April, we celebrate our students’ progress with an art show we call “Gallery Day”. This event is open to all our enrolled students and their families & friends!
What if I miss a class?
We understand that occasionally things come up—unexpected events, travel, or illness—and you may need to miss a class. Not a problem! As long as you are enrolled, you can make up a missed classes by attending another class listed in our schedule at any of our locations.
However, keep in mind that there is absolutely no prorating or refund for missed classes. In addition, missed classes cannot be used as class credit for the next session, other classes, or camps.
Since 2021, my daughter has been attending these art classes. Under the tutelage of Ms. Marcia, she has unleashed her creativity as she explores various mediums such as pastel, acrylic, watercolor… among others. Also, she has improved her tracing skills since then, and is more aware of the perspective and colors palette when drawing and painting. Teachers are nurturing, and encourage the kids to express themselves artistically delving into their themes of interest. The academy holds an annual showcase, presenting a fantastic opportunity for her to exhibit her artistic growth and to immerse herself in the diverse styles and talents of her peers. Its accommodating policy on making up for missed classes adds to the convenience. All in all, this is a great space for nurturing your kids’ artistic skills!
I love learning at this studio. As an adult, the classes are just what I need. Monica (and all the teachers) meet each student where they are at. You bring your own project or thing you’d like to learn and they create a wonderful learning environment! 10/5 stars!
We have been going to this art studio for many years now. We love all the teachers and their methodology. Ms. Rose is especially wonderful! My kids learn much more than drawing and painting. They are more creative, have more discipline, and learn to see things though different perspectives outside the studio as well.
I’ve been attending art classes for about 5 years now. I’ve grown a ton in my skills and confidence. The teachers are all super supportive. The teaching is personalized to individuals based on your own interests. And the studio, in general, is also super flexible and adaptable to my busy schedule. I highly recommend!
My son has been taking lessons here for over two years. It is absolutely his favorite class. He loves his instructor, Erin. She is very knowledgeable, encouraging, and patient. The gallery days are such a fun way for the kids to show off their work. Highly recommend this place!
I have been taking art classes at Art + Academy for almost three years. I’ve learned so much and loved every minute of it!! The instructors are all great—top notch!!
My son and I have been going here to learn painting, sketching , charcoal. All the teachers are amazing and really passionate about art. It has re-kindled in me the love for art and really thankful for the wonderful teachers including Ms. Southworth who is an amazing teacher and artist.
My decision to take art classes at the Art Plus Academy was the best experience I could have hoped for. I am a children’s book author/illustrator and wanted to improve my skills, as I am self taught. I learned so much so quickly. The teachers are wonderful, and I loved my classmates. I looked forward to each weekly class and intend on signing up for ongoing classes. What a fun experience. I highly recommend this to anyone beginning or advanced. Really, really fun!
My 8 year old expressed interest in art classes so I started doing some research and stumbled across Art+ Academy. I’m so grateful we landed here, my daughter’s teacher, Ms Erin, is not only talented, but is brilliant with kids. She is so skilled at setting expectations with the class, communicates with kids like adults, and it truly cultivates a relationship of mutual respect. The fact that supplies are included makes it very approachable for my daughter to try lots of methods and materials. It’s clear that they put a lot of effort into hiring true art professionals.
My daughter joined a one week summer program here and had a lot of fun. She’s typically pretty nervous around big groups so the small class size was perfect for her. My wife and I really enjoyed the fact that the school invited parents to come view all of their hard work on the last day of class. My daughter is already asking to join another class so I know she had a great time. I would highly recommend Art Academy!
My daughter who is 6 loved her camp! She had so much fun and the teacher was wonderful!
My 6 years old looks forward to her art class every week. Her teacher Ms Erin is an amazing teacher and my daughter has really enjoyed learning from her! I would definitely recommend Art + Academy to everyone who has interest in learning arts!…
Enrollment in Art+ Academy was a Christmas gift for my daughter in 2020. She’s now been attending the teen class every Saturday since January 2021 and she absolutely loves it. She commented on how much her work has progressed over the last year. She loves Miss Alexandra & loves having the space to be creative and receive helpful instruction on what she wants to create (rather than following a predefined curriculum).
My experience attending adult classes at Art + Academy has been so helpful to reigniting my passion for artistic creation. It has shown me a path forward in my life that I thought would be left behind unfulfilled. My instructor Erin listens, observes and finds the ways to guide me not away from any one approach to my art but presents alternatives and/or source material that may serve me better.
I’ve been learning drawing and painting at this studio for over a year and a half, and it’s been amazing, thanks to our talented teacher, Rose. Her patience and dedication have really helped improve my skills. She’s encouraged me to go big on canvases, be bold with my strokes, and dive deep into my artistic expressions. I’m so grateful for her support in both my art and personal growth. The vibe here is great too—my classmates are super supportive and always lift you up when needed, and we all get inspired by each other’s work. I definitely recommend this place. You’ll love it here!
Art Plus Academy provides not only outstanding instruction, but also a unique sense of community. I’ve been taking lessons from Art Plus for the past five years – since I was a 6th grader – and have grown immensely as an artist. Every instructor I’ve worked with has been knowledgeable and talented, giving me the guidance to build strong foundational skills, but also the distance and autonomy I needed to develop my own artistic style. Aside from the valuable instruction I’ve received, I’ve joined something of a family at Art Plus. I highly recommend this community for all ages. Monica has created a very special institution, and I recommend taking part.
Tuition & Fees
Your tuition provides four(4) consecutive weekly art classes. If you start in the middle of the month, we’ll simply prorate your tuition based on your registration date.
For Kids and Teen Classes, a quarterly admin fee applies in September, December, and March. We will also prorate the admin fee in you enroll in the middle of the quarter.
Materials
We provide all materials for kids and teen classes; you only need to bring your student.
Students will explore a wide range of materials, including watercolor, tempera, pastels, charcoal, ink, and more.
We like the creative experience, convenience of location as well as flexible schedule offered to my 14 year old!
This camp was highly enjoyable and so much was learned. Johanna was a great instructor!
Great art studio (clean and spacious) for kids and adults! Supportive and caring teachers for my teens! The teachers always motivate my teens to explore and encourage their creativity. My teens have been long term students there. Strongly recommended!
I cannot say enough about Art + Academy and all the teachers! My 7 year old daughter started a year ago and she LOVES going each week. She is super active and loves sports, so this class allows her to explore her contemplative, quiet side. Her work amazes me….so much so that I, as an adult who has never taken an art class, enrolled in one. I think it is the greatest thing I have decided to do for myself! I love exploring this part of me I wasn’t aware of for so many years. I will definitely put my son in a class as soon as he is old enough. Don’t think twice about it. Enroll you or your kiddo. Well worth it!
My daughter attended summer camp and had a blast. The teachers love what they do and it shows. Everyday they did a different art project. I’m so glad we found this camp!
Wonderful place for art classes! The teachers are talented and good at providing guidance. I would definitely recommend!
Art+Academy continues to be a creative haven for me. Rosemarie Goode continues to teach me and others in our class different mediums to use creatively. I have experience watercolour, pencil, pen, pastels, colored pencils and mixed media. Examples: colored pencils and watercolour; and watercolor and black pen. Rosemarie not only challenges me, but also the other students in the class. I enjoy the group so very much! I recommend this teacher and the Academy.
My 6 years old looks forward to her art class every week. Her teacher Ms Erin is an amazing teacher and my daughter has really enjoyed learning from her! I would definitely recommend Art + Academy to everyone who has interest in learning arts!…
Our daughter began attending Art + Academy last year as a kindergartner, and it quickly became her favorite extracurricular activity. We’ve explored various programs, but Art + Academy stood out for its ability to introduce her to new and creative drawing and painting techniques that she wouldn’t have tried on her own. We’re thrilled to start again next week after her summer break!
My daughter started going to Art Plus Academy few years ago and she is still attending. Each year her art is better than before. I am surprised each time she brings her art home. Teachers are great and we never had any issues. I would recommend them if you are looking for a nice place for you kid to learn and improve art skills.
Our experience with Art Academy over the past two years has been absolutely fantastic! The teachers are not only great at what they do but also incredibly personable. My daughters have thoroughly enjoyed their time, and I appreciate the positive and nurturing environment that Art Academy provides. Highly recommend!
My son has been attending SW Art+ Academy for a couple years now. I have really appreciated the smaller classes so that teachers can provide more personalized attention to the kids. Monica is reasonable & responsive to the various requests I have made, too, which I have appreciated. My son recently finished the Watercolor Art Camp, and really enjoyed his time with Mr. Matt! He had many nice items of artwork to proudly show off at his Art Gallery today.
My five-year-old son loves doing art in his free time at school so I thought taking an art class would help him to continue to grow as an artist. I wish I was a better artist, and I think being knowledgeable about art will help him as he progresses in school. I signed my son up for an art class at Art + Academy, and he absolutely loves it. He has been taking lessons for about a year, and we are so impressed with what he has created and the variety of mediums he is encouraged to use. His teacher, Ms. Emma, is absolutely the BEST art teacher! She is so wonderful with children, and she is the reason why he has made so much progress. She creates her lessons based on my son’s interests (dinosaurs, birds, police cars, etc.) which makes each lesson extra fun and special for him. Each week, I take photos at the end of his lesson to show my husband, grandparents, and other family members. We are so impressed! We loved Gallery Day–my son was thrilled with all of the stickers (with handwritten positive comments) that he received on his artwork. We can’t say enough wonderful things about Art + Academy.
This is my 3rd year to be in Rosemary’s class of adults. I was so excited to come back to class today, after summer vacation. Missed my art buddies! Last year I was doing landscape watercolor, sketching animals in pencil, a lot of landscapes in pen and watercolor in one picture..mixed media. I’m coming back ready to learn and experience whatever class presents. Rosemarie is a fabulous laid back artsy teacher with lots of knowledge and plenty of experience teaching all ages. Another plus is learning in a class with people who are doing different types of art….it is encouraging me to try different types. Come try it!
Ms. Erin at Art + Academy and the owner Monica are wonderful! Erin has the knack to keep kids focused on the artwork while listening to and embedding their view points into the process. In her own way, she challenges each individual child to bring out their thoughts on paper while keeping the main idea/goal intact. During these challenging times, when kids and adults are trapped in their homes, Monica realized the need more so than ever to keep the routine and what more positive than art? Thanks to Monica and her staff for their quick thinking and implementation of online classes. The first online session with the same instructor went smoothly and I am very satisfied to see the same high quality of instruction online as it was in person.
These art classes are wonderful! They teach real technique and use multi-media. We are so excited for the upcoming art show they put on every year! I’ve been trying not to look at my daughters art so I can be surprised! One suggestion is that their scheduling system links up to your phone calendar. I’ve made multiple make-up class appointment. But they are all at different times and I’ve missed them since they don’t have an option to link up to my calendar.
One of the best studios and platform for some one who is a budding or experienced artist. Art teachers are very methodical in their approach and keen on developing details of students. I definitely recommend them.
If you want to learn to actually “see” as an artist, I recommend this art school for a wonderful learning experience. In the last 3 years I have seen my focus improve, my techniques expand, and my enthusiasm for creating beauty through art grow tremendously. Thank you, Monica Araoz and your excellent teaching staff!
Kids love this place and teachers. Much fun.
We love this art studio. My daughter has been taking classes here for several years. She has had wonderful instructors and has improved her skills with every course. Most importantly to me, her love of art and her ability to express herself creatively has grown by leaps and bounds. The owner is responsive, provides great instruction, and is truly passionate about sharing her love of art with her students. I highly recommend this studio!
Start
Today
Tuition is prorated if you join mid-month, likewise, the quarterly admin fee is prorated if you start in the middle of a quarter.
Professional
Artists
Learn from professional artists who are also experienced, passionate educators.
SMALL
CLASSES
With a small class ratio (1:8), students explore their creativity with personalized attention.
Improve
your Skills
No matter your starting point, we help you build strong techniques and reach the next level.
Missed
a Class?
No problem! Make it up in another class as long as you're still enrolled.
Locally
Owned
Over 16 years of service since 2009 — fostering creativity and community growth.
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