I have a love-hate relationship with children's art. On the one hand, I love decorating the house with my children's paintings, sculptures, and photographs; on the other hand, I just can't bear the mess of the creative process, especially when it involves glitter!
Here are some great places in Fairfield County where your young artists can create masterpieces without trashing your house: (and for more after-school ideas check out our guide.)
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The Little Red School of Art and Music - Stratford
Established in 1991, The Little Red School is a Stratford landmark, run by Carolyn West. Weekly classes include sculpture, watercolor, acrylics and more. Summer camps are popular here too, with a full day of art and music enrichment.
Green Moon - Rowayton and Greenwich
Green Moon Art offers a variety of classes for children 18 months and up in their two locations: Rowayton and Greenwich. The teachers focus on creating a creative and rewarding experience for your artist...lots of fun, lots of mess! They also offer custom, in-home art classes and "art playgroups" for preschoolers in Darien and New Canaan as well.
The Art Spot - Danbury
The Art Spot in Danbury offers some serious art classes, for both children and adults. Interested in fashion, animation, mosaic, or even arts and science drawing? They have it. Have older kids interested in an art career? The Art Spot offers portfolio development work to prepare young artists for college.
Silvermine Arts Center - New Canaan
The Silvermine Art Center in New Canaan has literally hundreds of classes, year round, for just about everyone. In summer, kids can take weeklong classes in everything from pottery and comic drawing to oil painting and jewelry making. They offer summer camps, private parties and events. And the gallery is always fun to peruse!
SplatterBox - Westport
photo courtesy of Splatterbox
SplatterBox was started by a couple that met in Art & Design school. Projects of every color and stripe. Classes can be purchased in packages to lower the average price (one is about $35) for kids as young as 2. Want some time to feel the flow? Visit their Thursday Open Studio hours.
Paint, Draw & More! - various locations
Susan Jackson, founder of Paint, Draw & More!, teaches classes either at the Georgetown School of the Arts, or one of many community centers throughout Fairfield County (Fairfield, Norwalk, Newtown, Brookfield, Prospect Park, Ridgefield, Stamford, Weston, Wilton). They offer some interesting options: printmaking, weaving, cartooning, duct tape wearables and woodworking, as well as mixed media.
courtesy of The Giggling Pig
The Giggling Pig - Shelton and Bethel
Ah, the lovely little Giggling Pig. Though I can’t say little anymore because they keep expanding their space along 110 in Shelton. Owner Hannah Perry likes to mix it up, keeping projects fresh for her repeat customers. They have opened a second Giggling Pig serving Bethel now. This place is extra awesome for its great prices, unparalleled flexibility and attention to those with special needs.
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The Studio - Fairfield
The Studio takes a different approach, offering more "open studio" and "guided open studio" time for kids to develop their painting, sculpting, drawing and pottery skills. Their new location is now behind the TD Bank.
Best Time Ever - Stamford
They claim your kids will have the 'Best Time Ever' any day of the year! They also put forth a lot of effort to serving families with special needs. Pick a class (daily for toddlers), or just drop in to do the craft of the week. Like to paint and crafts with your kiddos? Schedule a group "Adult & Me" outing with friends.
Originally published on 12/26/11 by Katie McKnight.
Main image courtesy of The Giggling Pig