Art Classes for Teens & Preteens
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
- Looking for an art tutor for teenage son
- Art program for advanced high schooler
- Summer Art Classes for teens
- Airbrush class for teens
- Painting Class for 14 y.o. teen
- After-school Art class for 16-year-old
- Seeking after-school art class for 6th grader
Looking for an art tutor for teenage son
Sept 2015
My son is creating a portfolio for architecture colleges and needs to have several still life drawings. He could benefit from some guidance from a knowledgeable source. Can anyone suggest someone who would do some one-on-one work with him? Trying to be helpful mom
I would recommend Ilona Sturm. She has an MFA in fine arts, a Master's in Art Education, and has taught drawing -- including still lifes -- at many local schools (including, currently, Berkeley Adult School). She's also the parent of a Berkeley teenager. http://www.ilonasturm.com/ Berkeley parent
Art program for advanced high schooler
August 2009
I am looking for a reliable 'behind the wheel' driving school training for my 16 yr old son, in Berkeley. Any recent experiences or referrals? OK to email me directly. Thanks, Deb
Check out your local community college. If she's entering 10th grade there is usually a path to taking a college-level course, and it can be arranged for units with the high school if she's topped out on classes there. Many of the community colleges have great art, music and drama departments and offer evening classes. My daughter took a year of piano at Ohlone College last year (she didn't read music or play any instrument) and now plays daily for her own enjoyment - in fact, she's continuing with advanced piano Fall and plans to take an art course in drawing Spring. Check it out - it's worth it. Lynne
I recommend Deborah Harris to anyone looking for an art teacher. She works with all ages, including adults, and has a lot of experience with teens. Students get a lot of individual attention, and the kind of training that is usually only offered at art school. Deborah forms a rapport with each student and tailors her approach to address individual interests and concerns. I think Deborah offers teens a unique opportunity to gain concrete skills, and develop confidence. http://www.deborah-harris.com/newfiles/sawtoothpage.html stephani
I highly recommend Deborah Harris for art lessons for teens. My 8th grade daughter will begin her 3rd year with Deborah this year and she and a friend also did a 2 week workshop with Deborah and 2 other students this summer. I have also seen some of the work that a high school student has done with Deborah and have been very impressed. Deborah has provided a very solid foundation from which my daughter has begun to really blossom. Deborah's studio is in West Berkeley and there is great bus access. Her website is www.deborah-harris.com. Panda
I can highly recommend Deborah Harris as an art teacher for teens! My 16 year old daughter had a couple of private lessons, as well as two classes with Deborah this summer, one in ''Life Drawing'' and the other in printmaking. Both classes were of very high caliber. The Life Drawing class was challenging and really took her to another level in her drawing. With a series of live models, there were structured drawing exercises which taught specific skills, techniques and different approaches to drawing the figure.
The printmaking class, which uses linoleum and japanese tools to make relief prints, draws upon Japanese woodblock prints, Mexican prints, graphic novels, etc. for inspiration. It was more open-ended, and my daughter said she really appreciated that Deborah teaches skills without imposing her way of doing things. She said she felt Deborah was an excellent teacher, really interested in helping each artist develop their skills and artistic vision. The class was really inspiring - my daughter has been working every day since the class ended to create new and ever more complex prints - she's up to a 4 color print which is really something.
Deborah teaches out of her studio in the Sawtooth Building, which is on 8th street between Dwight and Parker. By public transit, the number 9 bus stops 1/2 block away, or you can walk down from San Pablo as well.
Here's her website: http://www.deborah-harris.com/newfiles/sawtoothpage.html Natasha
Our 13 year old daughter had a fabulous experience working with Deborah Harris (http://deborah-harris.com), a painter/printmaker with a studio in West Berkeley. Deborah worked with her to develop a concept for her Bat Mitzvah invitation and printed them together. The result was stunning and it was personal and meaningful. Deborah is lovely to work with -- and is not only incredibly talented, but a gifted teacher. She also does a series of classes which look wonderful. lisa
Summer Art Classes for teens
June 2008
Re: Summer Activites for Teens
There are classes (drawing, painting, photography) for teens (ages 13-15 year old) at SFAI in San Francisco www.sfai.edu/yap that begins June 16-July 3rd. tammy
Airbrush class for teens
Nov 2007
Can anyone recommend where a teen can take a course on ''How to Airbrush''. My 13 year old teen seems very interested but I can't find a course in the Bay Area which offers this class. Curious Mom
Alvin Petty used to teach airbrushing at Michael's in Pinole. They should have information on how to reach him.
I am so happy to be able to recommend Oding Muata, a very accomplished airbrush artist and teacher who just happens to be great with teens. My 17 year old son was desperate to airbrush last year at this time and Oding did a long session with him over the holidays which enabled my son to go it alone thereafter. Now he's at college and fantasizing starting a t-shirt business at school. Anyway, you can reach Oding at 444-8510 or oding at spectrum13.com. Say hello for us. heidi
Painting Class for 14 y.o. teen
Oct 2007
Does anyone have a recommendation for a painting class that would be appropriate for my 14 year-old? She is good at drawing and has taken classes in that, but would like to focus on improving her acrylic painting. Ideally it would be an instructor who is not too didactic, but sensitive to the best way to teach teens (ahem!). An adult class could work, too. Thanks much, Joan
I recommend checking out the Junior Center for Arts & Science for arts classes for teen. http://www.juniorcenter.org/
Shosh
After-school Art class for 16-year-old
Feb. 2002
My 16 year-old daughter would like to take a visual arts class (painting or drawing) outside of school. Any recommendations in or around Berkeley? Thanks Claire
Recommendations received:
- CCAC
- Deborah Harris
Seeking after-school art class for 6th grader
Dec 2002I have an ML King 6th grader (boy) and would like to find an after-school art class for him. Art is no longer offered to the 6th grade. What are the resources out there? Artist's mom
Recommendations received: - Youth Arts Studio (2)
Other Classes
Feb 2002
May 2000In addition to the options mentioned in the last newsletter, there are several classes specifically for teens -- unfortunately in S.F. rather than the East Bay.
San Francisco Parks and Rec runs a program for teens at the city darkroom at the Harvey Milk Recreation Center on Duboce Street. It runs about 2 or 2.5 hours 3 days a week, I think for 3 week sessions. There are at least 2 sessions. Easily accessible by public transportation.
The Friends of Photography at the Ansel Adams Photography Center runs a separate program, also held at Harvey Milk, starting in late June for either 2 or 3 weeks, 3-6 pm, called High School Docents, which involves a lot of darkroom work. Both these programs are free, I believe. 415-495-7000x312
The San Francisco Art Institute has art courses for high school students, including different levels of photography, color as well as b Four weeks, 3 hours/class, $400/class. This is a highly reputed program, also accessible by public transportation. 415-749-4554
One sleepaway option is Idyllwild Summer Arts Program in the Southern Calif desert. It sounds incredible -- 6 hours/day, living in a teenage artist colony. I found them on the web after being recommended by some local art teachers. Two week sessions.
Lili (5/00)
Hi! I know of a great art teacher who just moved to the Bay Area. She’s an artist/illustrator with a background in Fine Art and a Masters in Education — she taught in a school setting in NYC for 7 years before moving out here. She’s fabulous with young artists! Her email is albertzoe1 [at] gmail.com
Check out Liv and Chiu Art Studio: www.livandchiuartstudio.com
Classes taught by Olivia would be great for an advanced student. She’s an amazing teaching artist. My child has taken a class with her and another with a teacher who was younger and had less experience. The latter would have been a fine class for a beginning artist but was too basic for my kid. Olivia is great at teaching beginner and advanced students.