Champaign Park District offers a wide variety of Visual Art classes. Register online now or scroll down to view this season’s selections.
Downloads & Supply Lists
- 2023-2024 Parent & Participant Forms– Fillable >>
- 2023 Cultural Arts Handbook >>
- Alternative Methods Supply List >>
- Anime and Manga Color Techniques Supply List>>
- Anime and Manga: Girl Power/Color Techniques Supply List >>
- Conversations in Art Supply List>>
- Drawing for Kids Supply List >>
- Fundamentals of Drawing Supply List >>
- How to Look at Art Supply List >>
- Introduction to Drawing Supply List >>
- Introduction to Graphic Design Supply List >>
- Introduction to Photography Supply List >>
- Observational Painting: Colors of Fall (Session 1) Supply List >>
- Observational Painting: Colors of Fall (Session 2) Supply List >>
- Practicing Portraiture Supply List >>
- Watercolor for the Holidays Supply List >>
- Wellness Check Form Download >>
GROWN UP AND ME PAINT
Ages 7+, Adult & Child must both register
Bring out your creativity at the Martens Center, with the artists from Unveiled Creations. They will guide you to create beautiful canvas creations to take home. Each parent and child participant will create a canvas that will combine to make a larger picture.
- September 10 | “You Are My Sunshine” paintings | Deadline: September 3
- October 8 | “Black Cats” paintings | Fee (R/NR): $35/$52.50 per person; must register as a pair | Deadline: October 1
- November 5 | “Penguin Wishes” paintings | Fee (R/NR): $35/$52.50 per person; must register as a pair | Deadline: October 29
Day: Sunday
Time: 1-3p
Location: Martens Center
Fee (R/NR): $15/$22.50 per person; must register as a pair
Instructor: Kim Burcham and Keri Tavenner
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
DRAWING FOR KIDS
Ages 7-12 | Level: Beginner
Kids will explore the exciting skill of drawing through age appropriate discoveries and lessons. Use of drawing, shapes, and other innovative activities will grow your child’s ability to see the world around them and create spatial awareness with confidence.
A supply list of approximately $15 will print at the time of registration. There is a $25 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: September 9 – October 14
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:30a – 12p
Fee (R/NR): $95/$142.50
Deadline: September 2
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Kelli Roos
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
ART BEAST
Ages 5-11
Put your creativity to work using recycled resources, glue, paint, and more! We supply the materials, you supply the creativity. New fun ideas will be posted in each 2-hour studio time slot. Let your inner art beast loose with us.
Springer Cultural Center
September 9 | Deadline: September 2
September 23 | Deadline: September 16
October 7 | Deadline: September 30
October 21 | Deadline: October 14
November 4 | Deadline: October 28
Martens Center
September 16 | Deadline: September 9
September 30 | Deadline: September 23
October 14 | Deadline: October 7
October 28 | Deadline: October 21
November 18 | Deadline: November 11
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:30a – 12:30p
Fee (R/NR): $17/$25.50
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAWING | NEW!
Ages 16+ | Level: Beginner
Strengthen your drawing and painting abilities! Local illustrator Kelli Roos teaches you proven techniques to draw still life artwork with confidence. Various exercises will help you create highlights and shadows to capture a 3D feel. Additional exercises will develop your ability to create your own compositions. A supply list of approximately $40 will print at the time of registration. There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Day: Saturday
Date: September 9 – October 14
Time: 12:30-2:30p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Deadline: September 2
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Kelli Roos
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC DESIGN | NEW!
Ages 18+ | Level: Beginner
Learn the basic principles of graphic design and apply this to the design of your own personal or business logo. A supply list of $35 will print at the time of registration. There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Day: Monday
Date: September 11 – October 16
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Deadline: September 4
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Bill Geerdes
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY: COMPOSITION AND LIGHTING | NEW!
Ages 18+ | Level: Beginner
Whether you are photographing people, landscapes, or architecture, learn how to make your photos more dynamic through basic composition and lighting techniques. We will meet in different locations around Champaign to take photos; and in the classroom to talk about some basic editing, along with providing feedback of your work.
There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program
Day: Tuesday
Date: September 12 – October 17
Time: 3-5p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Deadline: September 5
Location: Springer Cultural Center and various locations around Champaign
Materials: Digital camera or Phone & access to transportation
Instructor: Bill Geerdes
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
PRACTICING PORTRAITURE | NEW!
Ages 11+ | Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Develop your portraiture skills! Students will explore the concept of identity, as they work to create an enlarged portrait of themselves or another. Utilizing the grid method, students will be introduced to the concepts of scale, proportion, contour line, and more.
For those interested in enrolling in both sessions, students will
be choosing a different image/object/size/color. A supply list of
approximately $35 will print at the time of registration.
There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
- September 11 – October 16 | Deadline: September 5
- October 30 – December 11* | Deadline: October 23
No Class*: November 20
Day: Monday
Time: 4-5:15p
Fee (R/NR): $99/$148.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Toria Baez
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
ANIME AND MANGA: COLOR TECHNIQUES
Ages 13+ | Level: Intermediate
Colors and pop culture come together in Color Techniques! Learn and use basic color theory and techniques professional artists use to create their lush and colorful illustrations. We will explore how artists use lighting and how to apply them to create emotional effects. We will also engage in exercises to discover your own personal color style and how to express it!
A supply list of up to $50 will print at the time of registration. There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: September 12 – October 17
Day: Tuesday
Time: 6-7:30p
Fee (R/NR): $105/$155
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Deadline: September 5
Instructor: Kelli Roos
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING | NEW!
Ages 18+ | Level: Beginner
Through this course we will cover some foundational drawing techniques, explore the use of basic materials, and apply this to observational drawing, contour line drawing, shading techniques, composition, and still life. A supply list of $30 will print at the time of registration.
here is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: September 13 – October 18
Day: Wednesday
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Deadline: September 6
Instructor: Bill Geerdes
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
OBSERVATIONAL PAINTING: COLORS OF FALL | NEW!
Ages 18+ | Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Students will explore acrylic paint in session one, and oil paint in session two as they respond to fall colored still life’s. Both sessions will introduce students to medium-specific painting techniques, while incorporating the concepts of color and composition.
A supply list of approximately $85 will print at the time of registration. There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
- September 14 – October 19 | Deadline: September 7
- November 2 – December 14 | Deadline: October 26
Day: Thursday
Time: 6:30-8p
Fee (R/NR): $116/$166
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Deadline: September 5
Instructor: Toria Baez
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
GIRLS PAINT NIGHT OUT | NEW!
Ages 18+
Grab your bestie to create a fall-themed piece of art with the artists from Unveiled Creations. While you enjoy snacks and mocktails, they will take you through the process of making a beautiful 11″ x 14″ canvas creation to take home with you. The title for this piece is “Stacked Pumpkins”.
Date: September 22
Day: Friday
Time: 5:30-7:30p
Fee (R/NR): $57/$85.50 per person
Location: Martens Center
Deadline: September 15
Instructor: Kim Burcham and Keri Tavenner
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
DATE NIGHT-PAINT NIGHT! | NEW!
Ages 18+
Bring a date to create a fall-themed piece of art with the artists from Unveiled Creations. While you enjoy snacks and mocktails, they will take you through the process of making two beautiful 11″ x 14″ canvas creations that when you put together create a larger picture that is 22″ x 14″ to take home with you. The title for this piece is “Fall-ing in Love”.
Date: October 20
Day: Friday
Time: 5:30-7:30p
Fee (R/NR): $50/$75 per person, must register as a pair
Location: Martens Center
Deadline: October 13
Instructor: Kim Burcham and Keri Tavenner
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
HOLIDAY ART FOR KIDS
Ages 6-12 | Level: Beginner
Create an art & craft piece themed to autumn winter holidays. Students will create projects that range from drawings and comics to cards and ornaments. All activities have one-on-one instruction from local illustrator Kelli Roos. All supplies are included. There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Day: Saturday
Date: October 28 – December 16*
No Class*: November 11 & 25
Time: 10:30a – 12p
Fee (R/NR): $105/$155
Deadline: October 21
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Kelli Roos
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
WATERCOLOR FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Ages 18+ | Level: Beginner
Learn how to use watercolor while creating seasonal-themed works! Follow basic step-by-step lessons to create cards, ornaments, paintings, and other crafty winter fun! All activities have one-on-one instruction from local illustrator Kelli Roos. A supply list of approximately $60 will print at the time of registration.
There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: October 28 – December 16*
No Class*: November 11 & 25
Day: Saturday
Time: 12:30-2:30p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Deadline: October 21
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Kelli Roos
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
CONVERSATIONS IN ART | NEW!
Ages 18+ | Level: Beginner
Ever wonder how artists seem to talk to each other across decades… it’s through their art work! We’ll look at abstract art by Kandinsky, Mondrian, Rothko, Pollack, and Stella, and learn how and why these artists created their masterpieces. You will then create works inspired by them.
A supply list of $50 will print at the time of registration.There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: October 30 – December 11*
No Class*: November 20
Day: Monday
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Deadline: October 23
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Bill Geerdes
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
ANIME AND MANGA: GIRL POWER
Ages 13+ | Level: Intermediate
Discover and create the excitement of anime and manga with a focus on feminine characters! Students will create engaging characters with a focus on emotion, costumes, and coloring. Learn how artists develop and apply their individual style to their work. This class may be repeated to continue developing skills. A supply list of around $80 will print at the time of registration.
There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: October 31 – December 12*
No Class*: November 21
Day: Tuesday
Time: 6-7:30p
Fee (R/NR): $105/$155
Deadline: October 24
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Kelli Roos
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
ALTERNATIVE METHODS AND MATERIALS
Ages 18+ | Level: Intermediate
Explore drawing more in-depth using a variety of unique materials and concepts such as ground drawing, word play, abstract, and alternative methods and materials. A supply list of $30 will print at the time of registration.
There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: November 1 – December 13*
No Class*: November 22
Day: Wednesday
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Deadline: October 25
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Bill Geerdes
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
HOW TO LOOK AT ART | NEW!
Ages 18+ | Level: Beginner
If you have ever had the feeling of walking into a museum and not exactly sure what you are looking at or why it is considered art, then you are not alone. This class will study a variety of works from art history to help you understand why they are significant and how to go about looking at and discussing them. A supply list of $15 will print at the time of registration.
There is a $35 non-refundable fee for this program.
Date: November 2 – December 14*
No Class*: November 23
Day: Thursday
Time: 6-8p
Fee (R/NR): $123/$173
Deadline: October 26
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Instructor: Bill Geerdes
Questions: michelle.olden@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3909
PUMPKIN CARVING AND PAINTING | NEW!
Ages 4-15
Have you always wanted to carve or pain a pumpkin but didn’t want to deal with the mess? Let us clean up while you experience designing your own pumpkin. All supplies will be provided. This is NOT a drop off event.
Date: Saturday, October 14
Time: 12-2p
Fee (R/NR): FREE
Deadline: October 7
Location: Martens Center
Questions: lynne.franco@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3971
DESIGN YOUR OWN ORNAMENTS
K-4th Graders
Handmade ornaments are always the favorites on the family holiday tree. Join us for a chance to make unique treasures for your tree! One-of-a-kind, handcrafted ornaments also make great gifts!
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 1-2:15p
Fee (R/NR): $25/$37.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
