Umpqua Valley Arts is dedicated to the belief that the arts are an indispensable element of a thriving and meaningful community, and that education in the arts should be available to all. Our arts education curriculum is inspired by our energetic community, the geography in which our organization is situated, and the unique history of our region and our institution. When we learn to make art together, we are learning to acknowledge and respect the histories that bind us together, and the changing world that surrounds us.
ARTS EDUCATION ~ SPRING CLASSES
SPRING BREAK CAMPS
03/23-03/27
Mon-Fri, 9 am-12:30 pm
$150
Ages 5-8 | Spring Nature Camp
Inspired by the wonders of nature! Through hands-on projects, outdoor observation, and creative play, students will connect with the natural world while developing their creativity and imagination!
Ages 9-12 | Clean Dirt Fun: Clay Camp
In the Clay Place studio, students learn basic ceramic skills, inspire creativity, and create a little springtime fun! Each day, instructor Ashley will lead students through a different project that celebrates the spring season and allows students to explore their creativity.
GLAZE WORKSHOP: NATURAL ADDITIVES
03/28 & 03/29 Sat & Sun, 9am – 3pm
$150
Join Gregory Pierce in this two-day workshop on how to incorporate rock materials from the PNW into slips and engobes. On the first day, an overview of finding local rock and mineral sources, how to process these safely, and their influences on slips/glazes. On the second day, choose soft or hard slab shaping for the object where you create vases, tea trays, planers, cups, etc (your choice). Ages 15+
WHEEL THROWING 101: 4-WEEK WORKSHOP
04/07 – 04/30
Tue & Thur, 5:30-8:30pm
$150
No clay experience necessary. In this wheel throwing class for beginners, instructor Megan Perry will cover all the basics and work on various projects and shapes such as: cylinders, bowls, curved vases, and plates. Additional details like trimming, combining forms, and surface decoration will help bring your pieces to life! With these skills, students can also use studio time to focus on their particular areas of interest and get lots of practice to hone their skills.
AFTER SCHOOL ART CLUB
Ages 5-8 | Tue & Thu, 3:30-5:15pm | $45 /mo
Ages 9-12 | Tues, 3:30-5:15pm | $25 /mo
Ages 13-18 | Thurs, 3:30-5:15pm | $25 /mo
(flexible drop off & pick up times)
Young artists will meet each week to dive deep into a range of art activities and creative engagement, following a monthly theme.
PRINTMAKING OPEN STUDIO
March through May
Mondays, 4-6pm
$5 Drop-in
Join Education Director Noelle to learn more about printmaking, and utilize UVA’s printmaking studio! Use open studio time to explore methods of printmaking and to work on your own projects. Drop-in fee covers the cost of shared ink and carving tools, but bring your own block surface. Open to ages 13+
COLOR STORY COLLAGE
04/25 Sat, 10:30am – 12:30pm
$10
In this workshop, we will play with different materials to create works of collage in one main color. We will explore some elements of composition, contrast, and variety to build layers and interest that “tell a story”. This workshop requires no experience with collage or art materials and is intended to be a fun and flexible exploration. Open to all ages! 12+ with an adult.
VIVACIOUS VASES
05/02 Fri, 6-8pm
$75
This workshop celebrates the humble vase. Instructor Ashley Cluver will guide students through hand building skills to explore different shapes and styles of vases for both live and dried flowers with dynamic forms. Students will take home 2-3 pieces, and will have up to three different glaze options to choose from. Projects are glazed and kiln fired in house. (Pick-up roughly 2-3 weeks) Ages 15+
TEEN CLAY OPEN STUDIO | AGES 12-16
05/05-05/28 Tue & Thur, 5:30-7:30pm
$160
Young artists meet twice a week to learn the fundamentals of hand building and wheel throwing with open studio time and lessons.
PLEIN AIR WATERCOLOR
05/14 Thur, 4-6pm
$25
Interested in painting with watercolors while enjoying the fresh air and the sunshine? Join us for an afternoon of learning how to paint “plein air”! All instructions and supplies included. Participants are also encouraged to bring your own watercolor paints and brushes if you have them. Open to ages 16+
CLAY PLACE – SUMMER TERM
06/01 – 08/29
EARLY REG. ** OPENS 05/12 @ 10am
$225 – $325
Register for open studio + classes or just open studio.
** Early registration available for UVA Members only
SUMMER ART CAMPS
07/06 – 08/28
Mon-Fri, 9 am-12:30 pm
$135/ week
Ages 5-8
JULY 06-10 – Creature Feature – sculpture & felting
JULY 13-17 – Under the Sea – sculpture & felting
JULY 20-24 – Garden Guardians – mixed media
JULY 27-31 – Colors, Lines, & Shapes – mixed media
AUG 03-07 – STEAM Week
AUG 10-14 – Puppets!
AUG 17-21 – Storytelling
AUG 24-29 – Stamps & More!
Ages 9-12
JULY 06-10 – The Living Canvas – painting & more!
JULY 13-17 – Wacky & Wild – sculpture & collage
JULY 20-24 – Backyard Biologist – painting & more!
JULY 27-31 – Fabulous Fiber Art
AUG 03-07 – STEAM Week
AUG 10-14 – Filmmaking 101
AUG 17-21 – Pollinator Palooza – mixed media
AUG 24-29 – Space Camp – painting & more!
Teens
JULY 13-17 – Beginning Sewing (ages 9-14) with The Umpqua Valley Quilter’s Guild
JULY 20-24 – Intermediate Sewing (ages 9-14) with The Umpqua Valley Quilter’s Guild
JULY 27-31 – Stop-Motion Camp | Part 1: Puppet Making with Sloan (ages 13-18)
AUG 03-07 – Stop-Motion Camp | Part 2: Filmmaking with Jake (ages 13-18)
SUMMER CLAY CAMPS
06/15 – 06/19
Mon-Fri
Ages 6-9 : 9am – 12pm
Ages 9-12 : 1-4pm
$135/ week
Join us for clay camp that will teach basic ceramic skills and inspire creativity. Each day, instructor Tiffany Hokanson will share fun projects with students that are engaging and fun for everyone. Works will be created throughout the week, then fired and returned back towards the beginning of July (accounting for drying time and The Summer Arts Festival.)
SEEKING ART TEACHERS!
We’re looking for fun and creative teachers to partner with our team at UVA to deliver arts education opportunities for the community to enjoy! Fill out our Teacher Interest Form to learn more about upcoming opportunities to teach at UVA and tell us about your interests and availability! We have endless possibilities for instructors to share their knowledge with the community at all levels from beginner to advanced, youth to adults, and beyond! If you have any questions please reach out to our Education Director, Noelle Herceg.
OUR MISSION
At UVA, we are passionate about providing community members with arts education opportunities which not only inform them of time-honored artistic techniques but also bring whimsy, wonder, and excitement to their everyday lives. Education in the arts is known to stimulate imagination as well as enhance problem-solving skills, making it the perfect way to inspire a generation of dreamers and “doers.” Working with known and emerging artists throughout the Pacific Northwest, we strive to provide quality opportunities for community members both young and old to discover their unique artistic calling.
At our campus, we offer classes for future artists of all ages, from preschool through high school (and plenty of learning opportunities for adults, too!) throughout the year. Typically, you can find a selection of seasonally inspired adult workshops and Saturday classes for artists 8 and up, as well as after-school opportunities for teens to learn more about classic art forms. During the summer months, we offer camps for young artists focusing on visual arts, music, and everything in between!
Additionally, UVA partners with community members and schools to reach even more young artists in and around the Umpqua Valley. Longtime friend of the organization Victoria Carnate brings hope to troubled teens at the local detention center by teaching them time-honored artistic techniques. In the past, we have enjoyed opening the doors of our beautiful gallery to students via field trips, and we anticipate doing so once the pandemic has passed. Until then, we have found creative ways to bring our gallery to the schools. Visiting elementary classrooms through our Arts Express program, we strive to bring arts education to youth in a way that is both meaningful and magical.
Ready to set off on your own artistic journey? Explore the pages below, or contact us!
