A young child’s life is full of color, wonder, and imagination. They are artists who boldly choose colors to swipe across a clean page without fear of what others might think. True, sometimes we end up with their art on our walls, couch, or library books… children have no fear when it comes to arting whenever the inspiration strikes!
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
– Pablo Picasso
Don’t let your children lose their inner artist as they grow! We are fortunate to live in an area with tons of local resources for our little artists.
Cedar Rapids Area Art Classes for Kids:
1. Kid Create Studio
This newly opened franchise offers a wide variety of mediums and tailors it all specifically to kids. The studio features weekly classes for 18 months-12 years, summer camps, workshops and even home-school classes. Moms surely won’t complain that it’s conveniently located right across from the Blairs Ferry Target.
2. Art by Julia Kulish
Located in Center Point, painting classes at Julia Kulish’s studio are worth the drive! She’s not only a talented artist, but has a gift for teaching. In addition to kids art classes, she also offers Mommy and Me preschool classes, home-school elements of art classes, summer art camps, and adult painting classes. My kids and I have all taken classes from her and highly recommend them!
3. The Iowa Ceramics Center
With most classes starting at age 5, The Iowa Ceramics Center offers summer camps, one-day workshops, and home-school classes. My kids and I have taken several classes and find the instructors to be the right mix of knowledgeable and fun. I love how instructors celebrate creativity and the uniqueness each child brings to their clay creations.
4. Purple Giraffe Art Classes through DKW Art Gallery & Studio
Using element of S.T.E.A.M., Ms. Deb encourages young students while providing a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary, particularly words related to colors, shapes, textures and even emotions. Classes are held at preschools, your locations and at their classroom in Marion.
5. Doodle Bugs at local libraries through Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
You can’t beat free! Doodle Bugs is a free preschool art program provided by the CRMA. Check out their schedule linked above or the library schedule closest to you to see when the next Doodle Bugs will take place!
6. Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy is a nonprofit after school arts organization created for K – 12th grade students in the Greater Cedar Rapids metro area. EIAA offers classes in art, music, drama, dance, cultural arts and creative writing.
7. Barb’s Fine Art
Located in Marion, Barb Prall has been a professional artist and teacher in Iowa since 1968 and holds classes for students age 5 to 95. The mom who recommended Barb’s Fine Art classes says her son has really bloomed as an artist under Barb’s teaching.
8. Planting Seeds, Cultivating Art
Located near Newbo Market in Downtown Cedar Rapids, artist Kimberly Machovec-Smith offers painting classes for children ages 6 and up with a discount for siblings. You don’t even have to wait for a posted class, but can contact her to set up a class when it works for you!
9. Kid N Canvas
Presented by Cork N Canvas, Kid N Canvas classes are for kids ages 8-16 and held at local HyVee stores. Classes last 1.5-2 hours. Sign up online at the link above!
Recommend Drawing Books & Resources:
10. Ed Emberly’s Drawing Books for Kids
These books were recommended by several moms who said their kids loved them and could spend hours creating scenes from the tutorials in the books. Combine that with the glowing Amazon reviews, and these books will be finding their way into my home soon, especially since many of them are under $5 a book!
11. Young Artist Learn to Draw Series
Personally, what I love about these books is that even my five-year-old can follow them and draw on her own. It’s a series of pictures where the new line to the drawing is added in red, so it’s easy for kids to see the next step. They are really proud of what they accomplished when they are done!
12. Art Hub for Kids Drawing Tutorials
My kids love these free videos because the artist is a dad who draws with his kids. You get to see his work alongside his child’s drawing, so kids know their art does not have to look just like his to be cool. He’s so enthusiastic and positive while doing the tutorial, it’s impossible not to have some fun. If your child really loves the tutorials, you can subscribe on their website for $5.99 per month for more ad-free content.
Check out some these local art classes and resources, so instead of finding happy scribbles on your walls or furniture, you ‘ll find actual art they have made using what they have learned. You’ll have to ask,
“Hey! Who arted? I like it!”
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