studio, Desert Dragon Pottery. compiled by, art educator at
Copper Canyon Elementary School
17650 North 54th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
602-493-6310
All The Hands offers pottery classes for kids ten and up, both hand-building and potter's wheel, glazing and firing. During the school year: Wednesdays 7-9 pm, Saturdays 1:30-3:30 pm, or by appointment. The summer schedule is more extensive. 3375 East Shea Boulevard — SE corner SR 51 and Shea — 602-493-1604 or email kim@AllTheHands.com. Pottery teacher Michelle Katz also has her own studio, Desert Dragon Pottery.
Arizona Commission on the Arts posts information about arts programs for youth across the entire state. Visit the Commission's listing of summer and ongoing opportunities in the arts offered to youth.
Arizona School of Fired Arts is a fully-functioning ceramic studio, part of Marjon Ceramics: 3434 W. Earll Drive, Phoenix. (602) 272-6585. A great place to take classes in throwing on the potter's wheel and hand-building clay. Ask about birthday parties or group clay events. It's a 40-50 minute drive from our neighborhood.
ASU's Herberger College For Kids offers fine arts classes for children and young adults administered and taught by renowned faculty and students of a world-class university. Visit the web site for the latest schedule and other info. Classes are offered in music, theater, and dance, as well as in art. It's an easy drive on Highway 101 to Tempe.
BRIO Fine Arts Center has art classes year round in Scottsdale Airpark: 8340 E. Raintree C-6, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, 480-941-8310. Their Web site lists art courses. Their after school program follows the calendar of the Scottsdale U School District.
City of Scottsdale. Classes are listed in the quarterly Scottsdale Leisure Lifestyles catalog. Scottsdale addresses receive that catalog automatically. You can also get a catalog by calling 480-994-7957. Most classes are only for adults, but there are some classes for children.
Do Re Mi School for the Arts, on the campus of Mountain View Presbyterian Church, south of Shea at Mountain View & Hayden — 8050 E. Mountain View Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
For ages 4 to high school. Many media. Classes
fill up quickly. Contact Do Re Mi at 
480-451-8233.
The Drawing Board, 602-992-5678, in the Kino Plaza on 32nd Street north of Thunderbird Road — 13832 North 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032. "A Family Art Studio" offering "classes in animation, cartoon and character drawing, mixed media art, and much more." You can also use it as an open studio for individuals and groups, and they clean up for you.
Heard Museum, 602-252-8840, 22 East Monte Vista Road, near central Phoenix. The Heard occasionally has children's programs — always excellent. It's a 25-minute drive.
KidzArt. This is a national chain offering classes in several locations in Arizona. The franchise most nearby is headquartered in the Scottsdale Air Park. It is headed by Jessica Hunter, who earned a BFA at ASU. Class Information: 480-785-6425. Direct Line: 480-785-6410. Fax: 866-469-3610. E-mail: info@azkidzart.com.
Lakeshore Learning Center, 4727 E. Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032, 602-482-7900. Open Monday-Saturday: 9:00-9:00, and Sunday: 11:00-6:00. Lakeshore offers free arts and crafts activities for kids every Saturday from 10-3. On Bell Road west of Tatum Blvd.
Trish Mayberry, 480-948-8565, 8818 North 66th Place, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253, and trishmayberry@cox.net. Trish regularly conducts small drawing and painting classes in her home for grades 2-12. Her classes fill up very quickly, and she may not have room during the current or next session of classes, but ask her to put you on her waiting list and her mailing list. Highly recommended. Mr. Delahunt often has her most current pamphlet.
Phoenix Art Museum, 602-257-1880, 1625 North Central Avenue, Phoenix. The museum conducts classes for kids in all media, with part of most classes taking place in the galleries. Some classes are one-time workshops, and some run for several Saturdays. When you call, ask for the curator of education. It's a 25-minute drive.
Phoenix Park and Recreation. Investigate current and upcoming programs and courses in art and other areas of interest. Click on the link to "Programs/Courses"
Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street, Scottsdale. During the school year the Scottsdale Center has monthly Saturday morning workshops, each an individual two hours session. Call for information.
Shemer Art Center, 262-4727, 5005 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale — 25 minutes south. Call for information.
Young Rembrandts is a company that conducts weekly after-school classes at Copper Canyon and other schools. Every lesson is highly formulaic — expecting students to follow step-by-step through the making of a drawing as modeled. The children are urged to use the techniques of the instructor, to make marks like hers, and arrange them as she does. Many elementary level students find it satisfying to produce a picture by mimicking clearly stated and sequenced specifications. Although creative thinking isn't a primary goal, kids are allowed to make modifications to the intended design.
Art tools, materials, and services
Aaron Brothers Art & Framing has lots of art and craft supplies. It's a chain with nearby stores.
Marjon Ceramics has the best selection and prices for clay, glazes, potter's wheels, and other ceramics suplies in all of Arizona. 3434 W. Earll Drive (NE of 34th Avenue and Thomas Rd), Phoenix. 602-272-6585.
Michael's has lots of art and craft supplies. It's a big chain with nearby stores.
Posters Mostly offers thousands of art reproductions and frames — Southwest, traditional, primitive, impressionistic, abstract and contemporary prints along with specialty posters on cars, sports, movies, and children's themes. If they don’t have an art reproduction you’re looking for, they ’ll find it for you. Hester Ford, Dorothy Johnson, and their staff assist customers with designing frames so they reflect the tastes and needs of clients. Northeast corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Shea Blvd. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday (Call for hours). 480-998-1922.
Other art resources
Arizona Museum for Youth offers a wide range of innovative exhibits, delightfully displayed at a child's eye level. Traditional displays of museum-quality artwork are combined with participatory activities which enhance and reinforce the visual experience. 35 North Robson Street, Mesa, 480-644-2467.
Inclusion in the list does not imply endorsement of every organization or program.
Last revised January of 2009.
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