Townsend Atelier’s new classes for youth
› Hands-on Art History for Home-schoolers: Wednesdays, Sept. 23-Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-noon. Cost, $315. Ages 6-12 years. Materials included. Students will start class with prehistoric times and media and progress through art history up to the Industrial Revolution using PowerPoint presentations, demonstrations and hands-on art making. Incorporating a variety of tools and materials will provide participants with a range of artistic approaches.› Young Artists: Saturdays, Sept. 19-Nov. 14 (skipping Oct. 17); ages 6-11, 10-11 a.m.; ages 12-17, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost, $185. Materials included. Class provides students with foundational skills in drawing and painting. PowerPoint presentations and art reproductions will enhance the learning experience and contextualize class work.
Contributed photoLong a place for adults to take art lessons, Townsend Atelier is opening its doors to children as young as 6 years old.
On Sept. 19 and in its new location in The Arts Building at 301 E. 11th St., Townsend Atelier will offer classes for children and teens ages 6 to 17. They will be taught by local painter Jas Milam, including a weekday program geared toward home-schooled children.
“We have been wanting to do art classes for youth for some time and have received lots of requests for them over the years,” says Peggy Townsend, who co-founded Townsend Atelier with husband Stan Townsend in 2007.
“Jas is such an excellent instructor and does a great job teaching complicated art concepts and techniques to kids in such a fun and accessible way. Asking her to help us develop this program was a no-brainer for us.”
The program that Milam developed for home-schoolers will be “chock full of great art history information as well as corresponding hands-on art lessons,” Townsend says.
Milam says the youth art classes will also be available for students at traditional schools.
“Home-schoolers will enjoy contextualizing beginner skills in art history and school kids can spend Saturday mornings learning what they need to know to begin their own artistic explorations,” she says. “The skills will allow these students to pursue self-expression, media exploration and art for art’s sake.”
In the youth classes, there will be an “emphasis on foundational drawing skills, beginner techniques and smart lesson plans,” she says.
“Both the home-school classes and the Saturday young artist classes require no prior experience or special materials,” Milam says. “While I do believe in ‘the muse,’ I also believe that much of art is about instruction, skill and practice. I love imparting this to kids.”
And make no mistake – children need art, she says.
“Chattanooga has a need for kids’ art classes for many reasons, including the lack of art in our school system,” Milam says.
Her work in the art studio keeps her fresh to the process of working with others as well as growing in her knowledge of art and techniques, she says.
“Art adds beauty and meaning to life,” she says.
Townsend says community response to the youth classes has been positive.
“We would love to offer these on a regular basis and continue throughout the school year,” she says.
Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.