Art class is so expensive

[Anonymous]

DD7 went with friends to a studio for a class, and she brought home an ugly painted 5 inch porcelain animal. That costed $35, and all she did was to pick a white porcelain figurine from shelf, and they provided apron and paint for kids to paint.I could create all these with less than $10 at home. May I ask if it is worth it to sign up kids for art class? I think it is worth it to pay for swimming lessons for safety reasons, pay for gynmastic/dance lessons for me unable to teach, how about art or drawing/painting lessons? Any advantage to teach kids technique to draw or paint from a teacher?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure that was an art class? Sounds like Paint Me Mine or something.

[Anonymous]

You did not sign up for an art class. You paid for a ceramic painting experience. They're expensive for what they are, unless you're a gifted painter.

[Anonymous]

Is this a paint your own pottery place? My daughter did a bunch of those from about 5-9 - either with a few friends or with us on a rainy day. I just threw away a bunch of them because, dang, they were ugly.

It's a social activity - not fine art. I had the same supplies at home, but it's not the same alone.

I just told her she had to get one of the smaller/leas expensive figurines to paint. She was fine with that.

[Anonymous]

PP with the daughter who likes this from 5-9 - for actual art technique, she learned a lot in art class in 6th grade and with YouTube videos. That's how she does her art now (we also did a few Sip and Paint sessions, also fun!)

[Anonymous]

My 16 year old did a couple of painting pottery things with friends as an elementary schooler, but didn't learn any techniques from it. Basically they served no artistic purpose. She learned a little in her public school art classes, which she didn't really like, to be honest, but they introduced her to various materials.

The REAL learning came from YouTube, like the PP's kid! She started drawing on her iPad during the pandemic, and has tried various softwares, free and paid. She draws and paints, and is now starting to work with clay. All from videos that artists post on YouTube to explain their techniques.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Well, it is hosted in amazing art studio. You are all right, it is not a real art class, but a ceramic painting class. She is thinking to take weekly art classes to learn drawing or painting from an artist in her studio. I think it cost $40 for 1.5 to 2 hour a class, and they charge by semester. Is it worth it to learn techniques early at younger age in person? Youtube video is fun, but they are too fast to watch and learn unless you habe some recommendation?

[Anonymous]

DD has done an after school art class for a couple of years. We started because she wanted to try it and we continue because she enjoys it. Some of the projects aren't great and some are pretty cool. I do see her taking techniques that she has learned there and applying them to art projects she does at home. For us it's still worth it for now. That may change later. For a non-art class resource that is great for exploring, try the Lab for Kids books. We have Paint Lab, Art Lab, and Collage Lab and they are some of DD's favorites.

[Anonymous]

Picasso said children under 12 should not take art classes because their creativity will be stifled

[Anonymous]

Have your kid do the art league camp in Alexandria. It's affordable and they do real art.

[Anonymous]

Yes, those weekly art classes are very expensive. I'm thinking places like J Art Studio and US Arts. My daughter did a trial class and did not enjoy it. She wants to do her own thing, not be instructed and do the same thing as everyone else. Try online classes.

[Anonymous]

The ceramics studios tend to be pricey and offer very little instruction. I think the kiln and special paints also tend to be pricier than the DIY options.

For actual classes, you can likely find more affordable options. Some seem to be more instruction-based and others free time for kids. Sometimes places like Michaels, either Lowes or Home Depot (can't remember which), and the library offer free crafts for kids in certain age groups. I think the benefit depends on your values and kids interests. In general, I think it is good to cultivate kids interests but obviously don't need to spend $35 per time to do so. Paint Night used to put a bunch of free classes on Youtube and we did some of those.

[Anonymous]

Its worth it if she enjoys it imo, bonus if she learns something.
The painting of a ceramic object is a thing to do ap parties or social get togethers. They are with friends, out of the heat, not on electronics lol.

[Anonymous]

DD7 has been going to VisArts group classes since age 5. It’s not that expensive and she enjoys it, especially when grandma and grandpa display her works in their house. She wants to start pottery next year when she turns 8. I think of it as something fun and interesting for her to do, not just in terms of how much monetary value we are getting out of it.

[Anonymous]

My daughter does art works lately and loves it. But it’s all that she does bc she does not like sports so the expense is fine. She is pretty good at art though.