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STUDIO ART CLASSES: RE-IMAGINED
Hi, we’re Claire and Kate, and we’re passionate about creating! As adult artists with access to resources, our favorite part of the creative process is playing with materials and exploring ideas that spark excitement and stamina for a project. This playful experimentation is key to artistic innovation and took us years in traditional, structured classes to develop our unique styles and interests.
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Inspired by this journey, we’re building studio-format, peer-learning environments to offer young creatives supervised freedom in a safe, inspiring space. Unlike typical classes, our sessions encourage students to play with any materials they choose and create projects that genuinely excite them. We’ll start each class with a brief skills lesson for technique and inspiration, then give students open studio time to explore and create freely, with mentoring and support throughout.
Studio Sprouts​​
Studio Sprouts offers a joyful, open-ended introduction to art for two age groups: 5-8 and 8-11. In these 1 to 1.5-hour sessions, young artists explore creative thinking and discover that anyone can be an artist when they connect with the right tools and inspiration. Studio Sprouts nurtures curiosity and personal expression, letting kids experiment with materials and techniques to spark their unique creative styles in a fun, supportive environment.
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Examples of skills and materials include:
Acrylic pour painting
Polymer / oven baked clay sculpting
Slime making
Fairy gardening and nature based art
Simple jewelry making
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ExLab: Exploratory Laboratory
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ExLab offers separate classes for middle and high school students, providing access to materials and equipment they might not typically encounter. Each session begins with guided instruction on advanced techniques and resources with an emphasis on safety and best practices, setting the stage for creative exploration. After the initial lesson, students have open studio time to experiment freely, bringing their project ideas to life with new materials and methods. Teachers are present throughout, offering mentorship and support as students work with specialized supplies, build confidence, and expand their artistic toolbox.
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Examples of skills and materials include:
Jewelry making: wire, solder, polymer clay
Digital photography
Digital music production
Candle making and resin casting
Engraving, carving, and detailing with hand rotary tools
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Note: Written parental consent is obtained before introducing any new materials or equipment.
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MEET YOUR TEACHERS
Claire Simpson, originally from New Jersey and now a seven-year Bellingham local, has a rich history of public art displays through gallery shows, immersive events, and more. She enjoys creating engaging, interactive work, believing that inspiring others to think creatively is more meaningful than any piece she could create alone. With over a decade in the international nonprofit sector supporting artisan livelihoods, Claire brings a global perspective to her art. Outside the studio, she’s often found snowboarding, fire spinning, climbing, or exploring new hobbies.
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JOIN US
Kate Gill is a Washingtonian that has had the privilege to explore the far reaches of the globe. Kate discovered her knack for teaching children while working overseas as a scuba diving instructor, instilling safety first rewarded with exploration and curiosity. Experimenting with all types of mediums since childhood, Kate is an art pirate. What types of materials can we gather? How can we make these scraps beautiful and functional? What can we discover about ourselves through expressive play in our world?
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Register your interest with this link:

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