The Tarble Arts Center is now registering students for their six-week spring art classes.

Kit Morice, the curator for education at the Tarble Arts Center, said the classes are open to anyone in the region and are non-credit classes.

The classes are taught by professional area artists and educational students that teach the younger students, Morice said.

Morice said the classes are smaller and are a more in-depth exploration of topics then they may learn in school.

“We do see this as a community service,” Morice said. “It’s a chance for community members to explore community art sessions.”

The topics for the classes range from painting to ceramics and offers equipment that school programs may not be able to offer, Morice said.

Morice said the classes are smaller to allow more one-on-one interaction between students and the instructor.

“I think it’s very important for a child’s development that they are exposed to art,” Morice said.

Morice said the adult classes give community members a chance to engage in and learn more about art.

“I think most people enjoy the process of making art, hands-on,” Morice said.

Morice said that various experience levels are often combined in one class, from beginner to advance.

Regardless of experience, Morice said each student could gain something from the class and the small classes allow teachers to customize the class so each student could reach their individual goals.

Morice said besides the learning aspect, the classes are just fun.

The classes range in prices from $24 to $40 for children and $40 to $90 for adults.

Morice said the majority of classes provide materials with the course fee and any profit made from the classes go back into the program by paying for equipment, supplies and teachers.

“We try to keep the classes as inexpensive as possible,” Morice said.

The classes in include Explorations in Art for ages seven through nine, Painting II for ages 10 through 14, Animal Totem Clay Masks for ages 10 and older, The Figure in Mixed Media for ages 15 and older, Mosaic Furniture for ages 15 and over, Self-Expression Through Collage for ages 15 and older, and Reincarnated Paintbrush: Introduction to Assemblage for ages 15 and older.

Kathryn Richter can

be reached at 581-2812

or kjrichter@eiu.edu.