Inspiring Creativity Through Art Education

At the Emporia Arts Center, we believe that art is for everyone. Our Art Education programs offer engaging, hands-on experiences for all ages, fostering creativity, self-expression, and lifelong learning. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or refining your artistic skills, we provide a welcoming space where imagination thrives.

As access to arts education continues to diminish in public schools, we are committed to expanding opportunities in Emporia and surrounding communities. Through our Community Initiative, we bring the joy of art beyond our walls, offering interactive programs that make creativity accessible to all. Our Art Mobile brings creativity to the community through this outreach, providing hands-on art education and inspiring engagement through interactive programs. Join us in celebrating the power of art—right here in Emporia!

Spring Classes

Spring has sprung with amazing artwork—but we’re just getting started! Stay tuned for our Summer, Fall, and Winter 2025 art classes. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, there’s always something new to explore. More details coming soon! You can always catch the latest on our social media.

Kids Classes

Adult classes

Adult classes

Kids clay

This open studio slot is designed just for kids (under 17)! Creative play is our priority in this come and go class. Our staff is here to help walk your kiddo through the basics. Smocks are provided, but remember to dress for a mess!

  • Thursdays, April 3 – May 22

  • 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Junk Journals & Book Making

Join Joyce & Nancy at the Emporia Arts Council for a fun and creative class on Junk Journals and Book Making! Learn how to combine a variety of materials like paper, fabric, and found objects to craft your own one-of-a-kind journal.

  • Tuesdays, April 1st – May 20th
  • 5:30 – 7:30 PM | 18+

cofee & clay

Join us Thursday & Saturday morning for a laid-back open studio. This club is for all levels of potters. from beginner to expert. Our staff is ready to help make your clay dreams a reality!

  • Thursdays & Saturdays April 3 – May 24
  • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | 18+

Streamer butterflies

Let your creativity take flight in our Streamer Butterflies class! Kids will craft vibrant, fluttering butterflies using colorful streamers, bringing their unique designs to life. Perfect for young artists of all skill levels, this class is a great way to explore art in an engaging and playful way.

  • Saturday, April 12
  • 10:30 – 11:30 AM | PreK – Kindergarten

Spring Time Clay Bunny

Join Rhonda for another fun clay class! She’ll walk you through all of the steps to hand build your very own springtime bunny! All skill levels welcome! Bring your creativity and get ready to make a charming, handcrafted bunny that’s perfect for celebrating the season.

  • Wednesdays, April 2nd – 30th
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 18+

chalk pastel Tulips

Join us for a fun and creative Chalk Pastel class just for kids! Young artists will explore shading techniques and blending colors to bring their drawings to life. This hands-on class is perfect for beginners and encourages creativity while learning new skills.

  • Saturday, April 12
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | 1st- 5th grade

Stained Glass Studio

This studio is open to all skill levels. Bring a design to work on or let our staff guide you on a brand-new project from start to finish! Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the beauty of stained glass and create a stunning piece of art.

  • Thursdays, April 3rd – May 1st

  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 18+

chalk pastel Tulips

Join us for a fun and creative Chalk Pastel class just for kids! Young artists will explore shading techniques and blending colors to bring their drawings to life. This hands-on class is perfect for beginners and encourages creativity while learning new skills.

  • Saturday, April 12

  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | 1st -5th grade

April Kids Paint & Sip

Join us for April Kids Paint & Sip, a fun-filled guided painting class designed just for kids! Young artists will follow step-by-step instructions to create their own masterpiece while enjoying their favorite drink. No experience needed—just bring yourself, your creativity, and a tasty beverage.

  • Saturday, April 19
  • 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | 1st – Highschool

Beginner Watercolor

Learn the basics of watercolor in this Thursday night class with Nancy Pontius! This class is perfect for beginners, and Nancy will guide you through essential techniques to help you create beautiful, flowing watercolor artwork. No experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and a love for color!

  • Thursdays, April 3rd – May 22nd

  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 18+

Mini Cherry Blossom Tree

Get creative and craft your own Mini Blossoming Cherry Tree using paper! In this fun kids’ class, little artists will cut, fold, and design their very own blooming masterpiece. It’s a hands-on way to explore art and nature while building fine motor skills.

  • Saturday, April 26
  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

cofee & clay

Open Studio for adults (18+)! This come and go session is great for all skill levels from beginner to expert. Teachers will be available to help with hand building or wheel throwing – a bonus; we supply coffee from Granada Coffee Co.

  • Thursdays & Saturdays April 3 – May 24

  • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Bug collage

Get ready to crawl into creativity with our Bug Collage class! Kids will use colorful paper, glue, and their imagination to create their very own buggy masterpiece. From butterflies to beetles, little artists will explore textures and shapes while making a fun, nature-inspired collage.

  • Saturday, April 26
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | 1st – 5th grade

April 21+ Paint & Sip

Join us for a fun and relaxed 21+ Paint & Sip class! This guided painting experience is perfect for all skill levels—just bring yourself and your favorite beverage, and let your creativity flow while you unwind and enjoy a night of painting and sipping. It’s a great way to spend time with friends or meet new ones while creating your own masterpiece!

  • Friday, April 11th
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 21+

April 21+ Paint & Sip

Join us for a fun and relaxed 21+ Paint & Sip class! This guided painting experience is perfect for all skill levels—just bring yourself and your favorite beverage, and let your creativity flow while you unwind and enjoy a night of painting and sipping. It’s a great way to spend time with friends or meet new ones while creating your own masterpiece!

  • Friday, April 11th
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 21+

Button caterpillar

Join us for a fun and colorful Button Caterpillar class! Kids will create their very own rainbow caterpillar using buttons, glue, and lots of creativity. This hands-on craft is perfect for little artists to explore colors, patterns, and textures while making a cute, wiggly friend to take home.

  • Saturday, May 3
  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | PreK – Kindergarten

Intro to Wheel

Throw your very own pots on the wheel in this Intro to Wheel class! Perfect for beginners, this hands-on class will introduce you to the basics of pottery as you learn to shape and mold clay on the wheel. Whether you’re looking to start a new creative hobby or simply try something new, this class is the perfect place to begin your pottery journey!

  • Saturdays, April 19th – May 24th
  • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 18+

Intro to Wheel

Throw your very own pots on the wheel in this Intro to Wheel class! Perfect for beginners, this hands-on class will introduce you to the basics of pottery as you learn to shape and mold clay on the wheel. Whether you’re looking to start a new creative hobby or simply try something new, this class is the perfect place to begin your pottery journey!

  • Saturdays, April 19th – May 24th
  • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 18+

Washi Watercolor Canvas

Dive into creativity with our Wash Watercolor Canvas class! Kids will explore fun watercolor techniques to create a funky, mixed-media masterpiece on canvas. Layer colors, add textures, and let your imagination run wild in this playful art experience.

  • Saturday, May 17

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | PreK – Kindergarten

Mother’s Day Paint -a- Mug

Celebrate Mother’s Day by hanging out with your mom and painting a premade mug together! This fun and creative class allows you to personalize your mug, and we’ll fire them for you so you can use them at home. Only $30 per pair, with an additional $10.00 for each extra painter.

  • Saturday, May 10th
  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | All ages

Mother’s Day Paint -a- Mug

Celebrate Mother’s Day by hanging out with your mom and painting a premade mug together! This fun and creative class allows you to personalize your mug, and we’ll fire them for you so you can use them at home. Only $30 per pair, with an additional $10.00 for each extra painter.

  • Saturday, May 10th
  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | All ages

Perspective Drawing

Step into the world of perspective drawing and design your very own mini room! In this fun and engaging class, kids will learn the basics of perspective, depth, and dimension while sketching their own creative spaces. Perfect for young artists who love to draw and dream up imaginative scenes!

  • Saturday, May 17

  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | 1st – 5th grade

Still Life Drawing

Learn the basics of drawing and shading in this 4-week crash course on still life drawing! This class will guide you through essential techniques, helping you build confidence as you create realistic and expressive drawings of everyday objects. Perfect for beginners, you’ll gain valuable skills and a deeper appreciation for the art of drawing.

  • Fridays, May 2nd – 23rd
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 18+

Still Life Drawing

Learn the basics of drawing and shading in this 4-week crash course on still life drawing! This class will guide you through essential techniques, helping you build confidence as you create realistic and expressive drawings of everyday objects. Perfect for beginners, you’ll gain valuable skills and a deeper appreciation for the art of drawing.

  • Fridays, May 2nd – 23rd
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 18+

Tissue Paper O’Keeffe Flowers

Create a colorful, textured floral piece inspired by the works of Georgia O’Keeffe in this unique class! Using vibrant tissue paper, you’ll craft a beautiful flower design that captures the essence of O’Keeffe’s iconic style. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy exploring the world of color and texture!

  • Saturday, May 17th
  • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Middle School – Adults

May 21+ Paint & Sip

Join us for a fun and relaxed 21+ Paint & Sip class! This guided painting experience is perfect for all skill levels—just bring yourself and your favorite beverage, and let your creativity flow while you unwind and enjoy a night of painting and sipping. It’s a great way to spend time with friends or meet new ones while creating your own masterpiece!

  • Wednesday, May 7th

  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | All ages

May 21+ Paint & Sip

Join us for a fun and relaxed 21+ Paint & Sip class! This guided painting experience is perfect for all skill levels—just bring yourself and your favorite beverage, and let your creativity flow while you unwind and enjoy a night of painting and sipping. It’s a great way to spend time with friends or meet new ones while creating your own masterpiece!

  • Saturday, May 7th

  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | All ages

May Kids Paint & Sip

Join us for a fun May Kids Paint & Sip class! This guided painting class is perfect for young artists—just bring yourself and your favorite beverage, and we’ll provide everything else you need to create a colorful masterpiece. It’s a great way to spark creativity and have fun with friends!

  • Saturday, May 24th
  • 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | All ages

April Kids Paint & Sip

Join us for April Kids Paint & Sip, a fun-filled guided painting class designed just for kids! Young artists will follow step-by-step instructions to create their own masterpiece while enjoying their favorite drink. No experience needed—just bring yourself, your creativity, and a tasty beverage.

  • Saturday, April 19
  • 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | 1st – High School

Mini Cherry Blossom Tree

Get creative and craft your own Mini Blossoming Cherry Tree using paper! In this fun kids’ class, little artists will cut, fold, and design their very own blooming masterpiece. It’s a hands-on way to explore art and nature while building fine motor skills.

  • Saturday, April 26
  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | PreK – Kindergarten

Bug collage

Get ready to crawl into creativity with our Bug Collage class! Kids will use colorful paper, glue, and their imagination to create their very own buggy masterpiece. From butterflies to beetles, little artists will explore textures and shapes while making a fun, nature-inspired collage.

  • Saturday, April 26
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | 1st – 5th grade

Button caterpillar

Join us for a fun and colorful Button Caterpillar class! Kids will create their very own rainbow caterpillar using buttons, glue, and lots of creativity. This hands-on craft is perfect for little artists to explore colors, patterns, and textures while making a cute, wiggly friend to take home.

  • Saturday, May 3
  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | PreK – Kindergarten

Washi Watercolor Canvas

Dive into creativity with our Wash Watercolor Canvas class! Kids will explore fun watercolor techniques to create a funky, mixed-media masterpiece on canvas. Layer colors, add textures, and let your imagination run wild in this playful art experience.

  • Saturday, May 17

  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | PreK – Kindergarten

Perspective Drawing

 

Step into the world of perspective drawing and design your very own mini room! In this fun and engaging class, kids will learn the basics of perspective, depth, and dimension while sketching their own creative spaces. Perfect for young artists who love to draw and dream up imaginative scenes!

  • Saturday, May 17
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | 1st – 5th grade

Tissue Paper O’Keeffe Flowers

 

Create a colorful, textured floral piece inspired by the works of Georgia O’Keeffe in this unique class! Using vibrant tissue paper, you’ll craft a beautiful flower design that captures the essence of O’Keeffe’s iconic style. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy exploring the world of color and texture!

  • Saturday, May 17th

  • 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Middle School – Adults

May Kids Paint & Sip

 

Join us for a fun May Kids Paint & Sip class! This guided painting class is perfect for young artists—just bring yourself and your favorite beverage, and we’ll provide everything else you need to create a colorful masterpiece. It’s a great way to spark creativity and have fun with friends!

  • Saturday, May 24th
  • 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | All ages