Vision Kids Program
Vision Gallery hosts VISION KIDS, a series of art classes taught by professional artists for kids ages six to sixteen, offered free of charge. VISION KIDS students come from all areas of the Valley and represent a wide array of diverse backgrounds; anyone can participate!
Classes are offered on Saturdays during the school year in morning (10am) and afternoon (1pm) sessions. Our students learn techniques in a variety of media including drawing, watercolor, ceramics, photography, and more! VISION KIDS is designed to inspire children’s creativity and empower them to integrate art into their daily lives.
The VISION KIDS program provides children with the opportunity to work with a professional artist and create a piece of art that is representative of their own creativity. It gives them the opportunity to develop important avenues for self-expression and an understanding of the creative process.
VISION KIDS is made possible through the support of the Chandler Cultural Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. Your generous donations help to make visual and performance arts accessible to our Chandler community and beyond.
Anytime Wait List
So that we are able to serve as many students as possible, families are allowed to register each child for up to three Vision Kids classes per semester. If you’d like to take more than three classes with us, sign up for our Anytime Wait List! You’ll be eligible to fill any spots that become available due to last-minute cancellations.
Spring 2023
Registration for Spring 2023 classes is open! We will be hosting in-person classes, one virtual option and one class led in Spanish this semester. Please take a look at the schedule below and take note of the following:
- Classes are held on Saturdays at 10am and 1pm. Virtual class will be held via Zoom
- There is a limit of 20 students per class
- There is a 3-class limit per child per semester; if you would like to take more classes, please visit the link above to be added to our Anytime Waitlist to fill classes last-minute.
- Register online using the Eventbrite links below
- All classes are free to attend, and supplies are provided
January 21 – Three-Color Screenprinting
Led by Eli Richard, ages 6-16
Print your own poster using the screen printing process! Students will learn how to layer color on multiple screens to reveal a vivid, detailed image.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
January 28 – Street Art Fonts
Led by Such Styles, ages 6-16
Students will create their own hip and colorful font styles by exploring the history of Street Art. Students will learn how to transform the common alphabet by embellishing letters to say what they want in style!
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
February 4 – Piedra del Sol y Tu
Led by Oliverio Balcells, ages 6-16
Get to know the Azteca Calendar / Piedra del Sol! In this workshop you’ll draw, paint and know about this classic image and take your piece with you.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
*10am in SPANISH*
February 11 – 3D Triptych Dream Mobile
Led by Noemy Esparza-Isaacson, ages 6-16
Create your own 3-D Triptych Dream Mobile to display your interests, dreams, and aspirations. The project takes the idea of a dream board and inspires students to create an interactive art mobile that can evolve to reflect their changing interests.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
February 25 – Painting with Light: Cyanotypes
Led by Amy Dangerfield, ages 6-16
Learn all about the art of cyanotype photographs, also known as sunprints! Students will learn the basics of a traditional photographic process as they make images using found objects using sunlight.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
March 11– Art Piñatas
Led by Jose Benavides, ages 6-16
Piñatas: more than a party! Learn about the cultural history of the piñata, as well as contemporary artists who are transforming piñatas beyond their role as candy delivery devices. Students will make an art piñata of their own design using cardboard and crepe paper.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
March 25 – Repetitive Art Inspired by Yayoi Kusama
Led by Hedda Neelsen, ages 6-16
Learn about the life and art of Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist who is known for her repetitive dot paintings and “art happenings”. Using circular stamps or their own shapes, students will create paintings that feature repetitive forms. Afterwards students will be invited to use body paint to paint dots on themselves or a partner to emulate Kusama’s performance art.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
April 8 – Chinese Painting on Rice Paper
Led by Mei-Kuei Chan Cruise, ages 6-16
Celebrate ancient Chinese painting techniques and paint a rich landscape full of life using watercolor on rice paper.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
April 15 – Sunset Silhouettes
Led by Abby Aspen, ages 6-16
Students will create a dynamic silhouette drawing using their choice of subject matter then pair their drawn work with a colorful “sunset” background.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
May 6 – Nature Weaving (VIRTUAL)
Led by Donna Mekeda Bradley, ages 6-16
Learn how to weave using materials from nature! Students will create a wall hanging featuring natural elements found outside such as twigs, branches, tree bark, vines, and feathers.
10am & 1pm
*VIRTUAL*
May 20 – You Are My Neighbor
Led by Erica Gillette, ages 6-16
Won’t you be my neighbor? In this fun 2-D class, students will use drawing and painting techniques to discuss the things that make us all neighbors on planet Earth.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
June 3 – Neurographic Art
Led by Mary Poindexter, ages 6-16
Learn about neurographic art as you create your own! Students will draw lines, curves, and swoops engaging their neurons and imaginations to create abstract, one-of-a-kind creations. Techniques developed by Pavel Piskarev will be used in a new and interesting way to create fun and relaxing art.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
June 17 – Squiggle Sculptures
Led by Shari Keith, ages 6-16
Get squiggly with it! Kids will create abstract sculptures using colorful shapes and pipe cleaners.
10am & 1pm
*IN PERSON*
Self-Guided Art Activities
Art can happen wherever you are! Check out these fun activities for all ages designed to bring art closer to you, wherever that is.
Registration for Spring Classes is Open
10 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
P: 480.782.2697
E: vision.gallery@chandleraz.gov
M-F: 10:00am – 5:00pm
SAT: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Art Spot Map
Turn a walk around Downtown Chandler into a public art scavenger hunt! This fun seek-and-find activity by We ART Chandler takes you on a journey to view ten public artworks in the downtown area.
Coloring Pages
Get creative with our coloring pages! We’ve translated artworks from the City of Chandler’s permanent collection, as well as pieces from some past exhibitions into line drawings for you to color in.
PLAY HARD Activity Book
Our Activity Book for PLAY HARD features fun and silly things to do for all ages. Get a small group of friends or family together (safely!) to do things like “make the best tool out of something unconventional” or “design the most impressive game of hopscotch.” Pick up your copy for free at Vision Gallery, or download and print it at home.
For best printing results, open with Adobe Acrobat and print as a booklet.
Sediments Activity Book
This family-friendly guide for our Sediments exhibition in March 2021 is filled with fun prompts to get you thinking about the themes of this show. You can view the exhibition virtually here anytime! Pick up your copy for free at Vision Gallery, or download and print it at home.
For best printing results, open with Adobe Acrobat and print as a booklet.
Vision Kids Classes
The Vision Gallery offers its Vision Kids Programs in a variety of media and all classes are taught by local professional artists. The classes are offered to the Phoenix metropolitan community free of charge to the participants, and are underwritten by individuals, corporations, and grant funding.
Gallery at the CCA
The Gallery at the Chandler Center for the Arts is curated by the Vision Gallery as part of the Arts Center Division of the City of Chandler. Both galleries are non-profit art galleries managed by the Chandler Cultural Foundation and host six to eight exhibitions per year.
Vision Gallery in the News
The Vision Gallery, Gallery at the CCA, and Chandler’s Public Art program are regularly featured in local media outlets including the SanTan Sun News, Phoenix New Times, AZ Redbook, and KJZZ. Read recent stories and find links here.
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