What sets the Esplanade classes apart from other art classes?

Art classes draw from the current exhibitions in the galleries. Two dimensional and three dimensional art projects are designed to give children the opportunity to explore a wide variety of ideas in a diversity of media. Projects and art activities challenge children while instructors offer plenty of encouragement to provide for a safe environment that promotes exploration, creativity and expression.

‍Sensory Art* for Tots & Preschoolers ‍

Sensory Arts #1
TUESDAYS, Sept. 12 - Oct. 31  |  10:30am-11:45am
Instructor Jenn Demke-Lange

Sensory Arts #2
THURSDAYS, Sept. 14 - Nov. 2 | 10:30am-11:45am
Instructor Jenn Demke-Lange

Sensory Arts #3
THURSDAYS, Sept. 14 - Nov. 2 | 4:45pm - 6:00pm | Instructor Julie Downey-Hoglund

These art classes for two to five year olds and a caregiver are fun-filled explorations of art materials, colours, and textures. Tots and Preschoolers will dive right into the creative process, building new skills along the way! They will explore a wide variety of materials and techniques designed to foster creativity, curiosity and fine motor skills. This class will give them their first Gallery experience, and will utilize multiple areas of the Esplanade for inspiration.

‍*Please note a parent or caregiver is required to attend the class with their child*

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Art Explorers‍

Art Explorers | 5-6 | SATURDAYS, Oct 14 - Dec 9 (No class on November 11) | 10:00 - 11:30am | Instructor Tammy Peterson

These art classes are a great way for five- and six-year-old kids to dip their toes into an unparented program tailored specifically to them. This program includes aspects of our Sensory Arts and Esplanauts programs, providing a mix of fun material exploration peppered with a few outcome-based projects. Over the span of the 8-week program, a variety of media and techniques will be investigated in new and exciting ways. Exploration of imagination is encouraged and celebrated!

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Esplanauts

Esplanauts #1 | 7-9 yrs | SATURDAYS, Oct 14 - Dec 9 (No class on November 11) | 12:00 - 1:45 pm | Instructor Candice Arnold

Esplanauts #2 | 10-12 yrs | SATURDAYS, Oct 14 - Dec 9 (No class on November 11) | 3:15 - 5:00pm | Instructor Candice Arnold

These 8-week long art classes draw from the current exhibitions in the Art Gallery. Two dimensional and three dimensional art projects are designed to give children the opportunity to explore a wide variety of ideas in a diversity of media. Projects and art activities challenge children while instructors offer plenty of encouragement to provide for a safe environment that promotes exploration, creativity and expression.

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A patron may withdraw their registration up to two weeks prior to the start date and will be issued a full refund. No refund will be issued within the two weeks prior to the start date, but withdrawals during that time period will be considered on a case by case basis and may result in a credit applied to the patron’s name. No credit or refund will be issued to any withdrawals within three business days before the start date of the program.

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About the Instructors

Candice Arnold graduated from the University of Manitoba with her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2005. She has since explored her love of teaching at the Esplanade utilizing materials such as clay, painting, printmaking, pastels, charcoal, and inks. She began with the Esplanade as our Summer Arts Camp Instructor in 2006, continuing in that role for 4 summers while also transitioning into her Esplanauts Instructor role in fall 2006. Alongside her 16+ years of experience with us, she has also facilitated programming at both Medalta and Inspire Café.

Julie Downey-Hoglund is passionate about children's art programming with a focus on process and sensory art. Her post-secondary education includes social work and fine art. She has extensive experience in early childhood programming and working with children and youth of all ages and abilities. Julie has been an art instructor at the Esplanade since June, 2018.

Jenn Demke-Lange graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2007 with a BFA and has since developed her creative professional career as a studio ceramic artist, illustrator and visual arts educator.

Throughout her role as an arts educator, Jenn applies creative critical thinking and hands-on inquiry based approaches to visual arts education, instruction and lesson plan development. She enjoys working across all artistic media to develop art education experiences and creative invitations that engage both children and life-long learners. As a studio based artist, Jenn previously maintained her art practice out of the Medalta International Artists in Residence program for 10 years and has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. She continues to develop her art practice and is invested in contributing to the cultural content and arts programming within the Medicine Hat community.

Tammy Peterson feels that everyone has the ability to be creative!! She is passionate about working with children, and seeks to unlock their artistic potential, trusting that as children explore, they learn. Tammy has 25+ years of learning how to play and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Tammy specialized in developmental psychology, and is passionate about working with children with differing abilities. She loves to guide children throughout their visual art journey, utilizing various themes, mediums and approaches.

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