Drawing & Painting for Junior Artists

Our Visual Arts classes do not require any type of assessment or portfolio to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills whether they are a beginner or have been an artist for years.

-Sketchbook (9″x12″ or larger, spiral-bound preferred)
-Pencils (drawing pencils, HB–6B if possible, plus a sharpener)
-Erasers (kneaded eraser and white plastic eraser)
-Brush set (a few flat and round brushes, suitable for watercolor and acrylic)
-Water container (plastic cup or jar)
-Comfortable clothes that can get messy (an apron or oversized shirt works well)
-Reusable water bottle (to stay hydrated during outdoor activities)

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am (breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Saturday classes are at the discretion of the teacher. Some programs will meet on the Saturday between the two week session. Please watch out for more information from the teacher. Sundays are off for everyone, with no mandatory classes held.

Benjamin Morales is a community-based painter and teaching artist who believes in the power of creativity to inspire and heal. His work draws on cultural traditions and aesthetics as a way to encourage others to embrace their own heritage and artistic voice. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Benjamin is dedicated to engaging communities through the arts and fostering lifelong learners. Recognized with grant awards for his community-based projects, he continues to guide youth in Los Angeles through the mural-making process as part of the Mural Workforce Academy at the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, helping young artists build skills, confidence, and pride while contributing to their community.

Kendric Stern is an artist and educator living in the Coachella Valley of Southern California. Born and raised in the area by two teachers, sharing education has always been an important part of his life. Stern studied Sculpture at the University of Colorado Boulder, focusing in production of large scale metal works, improvisational instruments and performance art. Introduced to music as a young child, Stern strongly believes in music as a form of community and self care. Stern has volunteered teaching music lessons in the community for nearly two decades. He has also worked for the Desert Sands Unified School District as a guest educator, sharing visual and musical arts with students of all ages. Stern has worked with non-profit organization Old Town Artisan Studios, where he filled the role of studio technician, helping manage studio operations and facilitating art education for specialized populations. Stern began work with Idyllwild Arts summer program in 2017 as a teaching assistant and returned again in 2018 as a visual arts instructor.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about summer programs