Best Kids Art Classes In Pittsburgh

Kids love to express themselves through play, music and imagination, so why not get your little maestro involved in the arts as well? The following are five of the best art classes in a variety of mediums to get your child inspired, improve his/her skills and will allow them to walk away with a sense of accomplishment - not to mention a pretty neat project.

From fun with clay, cartooning classes and mixed media demonstrations, North Hills Art Center has tons of great things to do for your little artiste. Most classes run multiple sessions and preregistration is required. North Hills Art Center also supports students who are homeschooled and offers classes to accommodate unusual schedules. Memberships are also available, and tons of special events run throughout the year.

Located to the north of Pittsburgh lies Sewickley, which houses the Sweetwater Center for the Arts; a facility that hosts classes for grade school children ages six and up. The center offers day and evening classes for those interested in pottery, drawing and painting. Scouts are also welcome to participate in completing badge requirements. Workshops are scheduled with a licensed instructor and run approximately two hours. For more information, visit the center's website or contact program coordinator Denise at (412) 741-4405.

Get the kids' hands dirty as they explore the Carnegie Museum's art studio and galleries. Learn to paint, sculpt, draw and assemble with other kids (5th-9th grade for these sessions) and teaching artists. Preschool playdates are also offered, where babies and their responsible adults go wild with color. Saturday art classes are an additional option for the older guys to explore more refined techniques. Visit the museum's website for more information on summer day camps and homeschool programs.

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The Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh is not only a religious and cultural institution; it's also a great place to get creative. This center offers arts and crafts classes for kids of all ages and abilities. The youngest participant can join an art class through My Baby and Me in Squirrel Hill. If your child is of school age, you may have a bit more flexibility with a greater selection of classes at JCC's South Hills centre. The JCC also offers summer camp programs. For more information or to register your child, visit the JCC's website.

From fashion illustration to the visual arts, metalsmithing and pottery classes, Wash Arts has tons of cool classes to get your young one's gears churning. Even private music lessons are offered at Wash Arts for the teeniest tots. Wash Arts is so sure you'll be hooked after taking your kids to one of its classes, that it has included many adult workshops through the spring as well, and even a Mommy and Me class. There's nothing better than instilling a love of the arts in your children, and all the better if it's a vocation you do together.

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