Warmer Days & Art Summer Camps Are Here!

Hi All,

Summer will be here before we know it. Your kids will be home and looking for things to do!

We have planned several great Art Summer Camps for mid June through end of August for you to think about. We are adding more all the time, as we get new instructors on board.

We have ever popular camp “Chalk It Up!” with Katie Walters returning in July! Also, Scott Rolfs is back with his series of Comic book style classes. A fresh addition this year is Barbara Lance Alldaffer, with some interesting offerings. We also have a bas-relief coin experience with artist Glenn Terry.

Space are filling very quickly, so don’t let your child miss out!

Have You Got Art On Your Fall Event Schedule?

Hi All,

Its been a long hot summer in Maple Grove, but it appears the weather is changing. Temps are falling and the leaves are dropping. This means it’s time to snuggle up and do some art!

We have some great new classes on offer right now, with more added all the time, so please keep checking back.

Youth Classes

We have a series of classes for the very youngest in your family on Sunday’s in November. These classes are based on books and activities and are with Kristina Makousky. They are called “Little Makers” and are priced at $25 per child. There are only 10 spaces per week, so don’t delay!

We also have a class for slightly older children with Barbara Alldaffter, “Paint Your Pet”. This should be a fun event for the 12 and up gang!

Our last offering currently for youth is with Alondra Garza. In this class our children will get to make a Piñata.

All these classes can be found and purchased on our website

Adult Classes

We have a lot of classes for adults scheduled for November onwards. We have a new instructor joining us, Lori Kinstad, who will be sharing her love of journaling with mixed media and some other classes spinning off that basic premise. These would be good for anyone who loves to mix it up!

We also have some Holiday themed classes that will bring on the Holiday vibes. We have three events that will be a paint and wine format. One is a angel painting class with Lorrie Link, another is a birch tree scene with a red bird taught by Barbara Alldaffer. The third is a seasonal painted wood server with Lisa Kindle. All of these fun events are priced at $50 and include all supplies. Spaces are selling fast!

Finally, we have a turkey painting class with Barbara Alldaffer.

All these can be found on our website and are again only 10 students per event, so don’t delay!

We are always looking for more art instructors to help us keep art flowing in Maple Grove and the surrounding area. We offer competitive pay structure and a friendly environment. Please get in touch with our Education Director, Dean Kindle, if interested in knowing more.

We are a registered 501c3, run entirely by volunteers, We rely on class income, art sales and donations to survive. If you would like to help us continue into 2022 and beyond, you can donate on our website or mail in a check.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and we hope to see you at an event soon!

It's Still Summer and We've Still Got Kids Art Camps!

Hi All,

July is almost gone, but we’ve still got plenty of Summer Camps left for the kids! They are all held at our space in Maple Grove, 11666 Fountains Drive, and are directed by qualified instructors. The only class that moves out into another location is the “Chalk It Up Class!” This class is run by Katie Walters, an elementary school teacher and member of our board of directors. This class brings back memories of Chalkfest in Maple Grove and with the artist grade chalks provided, gives your child a real feeling of what those street artists experience! We have a few spaces left! Don’t miss out!

We also have classes from several other great teachers for all ages. You can see all of them here or here is a selection to entice your child to do some art this summer!

Alondra

Alondra is a Tejana/Chicana artist. She was born in the Mexican side at the Rio Grande Valley borderlands of Mexico and South Texas. She is new to Maple Grove Arts and is planning exciting classes.

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Tessa

Tessa is a new instructor this year and shares her “Intro into Art “ camp.

Lisa

Lisa founded her company Art Soul Living in 2018 and is passionate about bring art in everyone’s lives. She has several classes for different age groups!

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Scott

Scott has a background in design and loves to work with children drawing monsters and super hero comic style illustrations. If you have a budding illustrator in your family, book a session now!

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Gena

Gena is also new to our instructor line up and brings her considerable skill set to Maple Grove. She is offering a “Compelling Portrait” class to 10-16 year olds.

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It’s time to book a class and get your art on in Maple Grove! See you soon!

Summer Camps & Adult Classes Galore!

Summer is almost half done! Have you booked your child into a Summer Art Camp yet? We’ve got some great ones to entertain existing young artists or maybe put them onto another track!

One of annual favorites is the “Chalk It Up Camp”, run by elementary school teacher Katie Walters. We spend the first day’s session at the Center and then the next three morning we will be the Lion’s Pavilion at Maple Grove Community Center. This is where the image they chose to draw becomes real life street art! This is for the 12-16 age group.

There are a few spots left - don’t let your child miss out!

Chalk, not your thing? Don’t worry! We also have a few new camp instructors this year. One of those is Scott Rolfs, he is running a selection of comic style drawing classes for 7-14 years olds. The first one is “Dynamic Comic Covers” He has several more that follow this one, if you can’t make this date. All are fun for the budding comic arttist in your midst.

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Looking for a beading class, we have one, with Lise Spence-Parsons. Go home with three pretty bracelets. There are only five seats for this class, die to the help needed to finish off each creation.

We also have a Pinata camp, an acrylics camp and an iintro to art camp. Lots to do for all ages and abilities.

We’ve been planning a lot of adult classes too to bring out the adult artists in our community. We have an acrylics class with Jordyn Brennan where you will get to paint a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

We have ever popular Dan McAvey back again this season, sharing his knowledge on acrylic paint pours. Always a fun night out with a group of friends.

There are two watercolor classes with Nancy Larson scheduled, one is beginner the other intermediate.

We are traveling the world with Peg Deppe on her stitch tour classes. Currently Japan and England are on the map!

Tessa Weyhe is offering several classes - Mindfulness, acrylic techniques, altered books and a more basic intro class! Not to be missed!

Two brand new adult instructors are Glenn Terry and Laura Presley. Both have interesting offerings for you to consider! Glenn has an acrylics landscape class and Laura another acrylic landscape, but this time abstract. Both look fun and have limited spaces.

Kristina Makousky, is offering several popular class this summer for adults. We have some clay, some embroidery and a pop-up book class. All look great!

One last current offering is a lecture from Nicole Hoekstra.

We hope that you find something to tempt you to a class, either with friends or on your own to make new friends. See you soon!

It's Time for An Art Class at Maple Grove Arts Center!

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Hello All,

It feels so good to be sending this out to all of you, the light at the end of the tunnel is finally getting brighter. We did re-open our space at the beginning of May and as I write this, we are undergoing a space revamp. The walls are being painted and we are installing a professional art hanging system to make it all a little easier going forward on our volunteers. We are in the process of pivoting once more to adhere to the Governor’s latest Executive Order. Our classes will be expanding and we will allow fully vaccinated people to come into our space without a mask. We strongly advise non-vaccinated people to still mask-up. We will have masks and hand sanitizers available for those that require supplies.

So what else is new? Classes that’s what! We have a new Education Director, Keith Braafladt, who is scheduling new and exciting arts opportunities that you can purchase and enjoy.

Summer Camps

We have some Summer Camps planned for June , with hopefully more coming for July and August

Adult Classes

We have lots of offerings in our adult section, including photography, paint pours, watercolor classes, ceramics, paper crafts and textiles. We even have just added a networking & critique based lecture. There is truly something for everyone to try.

Classes can make a great experience for yourself to meet new people, or go as a group of friends, or even give one, as a gift to a friend.

If you just can’t choose, you can always buy a gift card online. If you need help picking out a class, please feel free to contact Keith, he is happy to help!

And now for the ask! Doing what we do as volunteers, costs money, so we really do need your help to continue bringing you quality art shows and classes. Please consider a donation or becoming an arts advocate.

Thank you!

Give the Gift of an Art Experience this Holiday

Looking for last minute holiday gift ideas? Purchase a gift card from the Maple Grove Arts Center and let the receiver choose from a number of class options or purchase an original artwork from the gallery. Gift cards starting at $25.

We have a great selection of classes for both youth and adults and all these can be purchases online on our new enhanced website. Any questions please contact Lisa Vitkus for Youth and Dan McAvey for Adult classes.

 

Upcoming Adult Classes 

  • Acrylic Paint Pouring—“Puddle Pour”: Tuesday January 21st from 7-9:15 pm

  • Creative Card-Making!: Monday January 27th from 1-3:30 pm

  • Paint Night at Split Rock Lighthouse: Tuesday January 28th from 7-9:30 pm

  • More Creative Card-Making!: Monday February 3rd from 1-3:30 pm

  • Acrylic Paint Pouring—“Dirty Pour”: Tuesday February 4th from 7-9:15 pm

  • Small Paintings-Big Impact: MN Landmarks: Tuesdays February 11th-March 3rd from 7-9:30 pm

  • Acrylic Paint Pouring—“Swipe Technique”: Tuesday March 10th from 7-9:30 pm

  • Acrylic Paint Pouring—“Flower Pour”: Tuesday March 24th from 7-9:30 pm

  • Acrylic Paint Pouring—“Tree Ring Pour”: Tuesday March 31st from 7-9:30 pm

  • Sunflower Farm Acrylic Painting: Tuesday March 24th from 1-3 pm

  • Silk Scarf Painting Class: Saturday March 28th from 1-4 pm

  • Intro to Alcohol Inks: Thursday April 23rd from 12-1:30 pm





Upcoming Kids Classes



Music Little People Can Do. Ages: 18 mos. to 5 years: Tuesdays from 10:30 am-11:30 am

  • Session 1: Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, March 3 and 10

  • Session 2: March 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21

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Take a Bow Kids! - Creative Dramatics. Ages 6-10: Tuesdays from 4 pm-5 pm

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  • Session 1: Feb 4,11,18, 25, March 3 and 10

  • Session 2: March 17, 24, 31, April 7,14, 21



We wish you a wonderful Holiday Season and hope to see you soon at Maple Grove Arts Center!