Art Classes and Camps
Whether it’s an after school program or summer clay camp, young artists are invited to become a fabric of Helena’s vibrant art community by encouraging playful exploration and problem solving while learning the foundations of the medium. During the school year program, students will start the session exploring clay and finish each session with two-dimensional mediums, such as painting or printmaking. At this time, summer programming is exclusively clay as the medium.
Each class will enjoy a healthy and fun snack whether after school or mid-morning during the summer camps.
While working on our projects, we will dive into the cultural aspects of art by exploring historical and contemporary artists and referencing their significant works. Students will feel a sense of belonging and place in a classroom designed for their use and comfort with an extensive library of art books, hand-made pottery to use, and music to inspire. The aim is to have fun, learn a whole lot, and create art for the sake of expression and enjoyment.
Classes and Camps will be taught by Cheri Thornton who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Gonzaga University, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Ceramics from the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth, is a former resident of the Archie Bray Foundation, and former Assistant Curator/Registrar of the Holter Museum of Art.
For many years, Thornton taught ceramics to elementary students as a visiting artist in the Helena School District and also taught in many after-school programs and camps in her early career. Cheri is a mom of 4 children, ages 5-12, and loves all things art and ceramics. She is excited to share in the joy of art-making with Helena’s young artists in a fun and creative environment that celebrates creativity.
Scroll down to learn more about her and her work!
After School Session:
Six Weeks: 265.00
Price of Class Includes the Following:
A fun, working environment in a studio classroom at the new Marlow Gallery in downtown Helena.
All Materials and related expenses and labor: clay, supplies, glazing, multiple kiln firings, etc.
Healthy and fun after-school snack upon arrival to the studio.
Instruction by a professional artist.
All finished art-pieces will come home with the student at the end of the session.
Summer Camps
4 half days: 265.00
Price of Class Includes the Following:
A fun, working environment in a studio classroom at the new Marlow Gallery in downtown Helena.
All Materials and related expenses, such as clay, supplies, kiln firings, etc.
Healthy and fun mid-morning snack.
Instruction by a professional artist.
Due to the nature of clay and its need to dry, get bisqued, glazed, and fired again, all finished pieces will be available for pick-up at a to-be-determined later date.
Meet the Instructor
Welcome!
My name is Cheri Thornton. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Ceramics from the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth, and am a former resident artist of the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts. I also am a former assistant curator/registrar at the Holter Museum of Art.
While I work mostly in clay, I have an extensive background in many art mediums—painting, printmaking, photography, and ceramics. I believe strongly in learning the fundamentals of a medium to allow for successful creative expression and ultimate joy in the process.
I love teaching young people the joy of art making and am excited to pass on my years of knowledge and experience to the young artists in Helena!
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