About me:
Hi! Welcome! I am a certified art teacher with over 20 years of public school experience. I absolutely love people and love art! I believe in the intrinsic power of the arts and strive to help build self-confidence in students. I dream of making a place that encourages creativity. I provide materials, instruction, confidence, and most importantly lots of fun. There is always a positive, encouraging environment for you and/or your child to work in, with no judgments or harsh criticism.
As Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
In my teaching, I believe that each student, of any age, comes to me as an artist. While we all understand the pure joy of creating something, there is also much more to this process than meets the eye. SO LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!
ESA/CW approved and accepted
THE BENEFITS OF ART EDUCATION specifically visual art education, have been noted in many articles , blogs and studies. But the best way to understand these benefits is to witness them firsthand. When your toddler goes from scribbling aimlessly to focusing on their paper with concentrated marks, they’ve made the connection between their hands and mind. This is the first step in their fine motor skill development. When your five year old mixes paint to create secondary colors, they are participating in an art science experiment.
Mistakes may be made and messes will undoubtedly be created. But along the way, your child will learn to think outside the box and follow their intuition. Their confidence will be increased with each piece of artwork created. They will expand their decision making skills and learn how to express themselves, both visually and verbally. The organic and geometric shapes they create with a crayon will one day turn into letters and numbers. The way they grip a marker, paint brush or piece of clay will be the first step towards gripping a pencil and exploring these writing skills.
These same principles apply to adult students exploring art once again. Whether this is your first time picking up a paint brush in 20 years, or you're a creative person looking to explore new techniques, an art class could be just what you need in this age of too much screen time. Dig in, get a little messy and make a masterpiece with me today
Everyone can create art. Most amazingly those who think they cannot, often produce the most amazing things!
Testimonials…
“I have taken classes with Melissa. She is an experienced Art teacher who is exceptional at teaching diverse ages and mediums. She is also one of the most kind-hearted and creative teachers I have worked with, with an amazing sense of humor. I have a degree in Art Education myself, so when I highly recommend her classes, I really value the quality of her classes knowing just how outstanding she is” -N.E.
Love, love, love Art with Melissa! She's a fantastic teacher, fun, and makes painting totally accessible no matter what your skill or experience level is. -L.R.
“My daughter takes art classes with Ms. Melissa. Not only does she bring home beautiful artwork to hang on the walls, but I have noticed an increase in her confidence with making new friends as well as improvement with anxiety. She looks forward to not only the classes and projects themselves but socializing with a whole new group of kids in a small setting.” -C.A.
“I’m thrilled with her newfound interest and talent that she has shown in taking classes, but also how she had grown individually.” -C.L.
“Whether you are looking to foster your child’s talent, and interests or just looking for a way for them to express themselves in a positive way, I highly recommend Art with Ms.M.” -A.C.
“My child looks forward to art each week. She talks about the fun she has and is so proud of her accomplishments. Ms. Melissa is so understanding of her needs and goes out of her way to make sure she has everything she needs and is comfortable and happy, sensory issues and social issues are completely understood and accepted, it is truly wonderful for or my child”-J.L.
“Both my son and daughter love these classes. They took classes when they were homeschooled. Now that they are back to a regular school schedule, they get so excited when there are holiday or seasonal events. They are always very proud of their work. I have their artwork hanging in my house. I love it. They always look forward to coming to classes. It’s obvious Melissa enjoys working with the kids. My kids especially love her dog Ben.” R.R.
“My son has special needs and Melissa makes him feel so welcome, accepted, talented, and capable, besides the art-making, he truly has a wonderful time” -H.P.
“We have a narrow definition of what constitutes being smart that leaves people out and wounds people’s sense of self.
We have elevated one type of brain at the expense of all the other representations of intelligence and flourishing.
Intelligence is not one thing, it’s many things. The problem is a set of institutional practices that reinforces the idea that difference is the problem. #NormalSucks”
-Jonathan Mooney
“Don't do things the way people are telling you to. Look at the way that you feel is the best. Your way may be better”
Art Classes
Current Classes
Wednesdays 2:30-4:30
Wednesdays 5-7pm
Fridays 12-2 (preschool age)
Fridays 2:30-4:30 pm
Fridays 5-7pm
Preteens and Teens
Elementary age
Toddlers
Special levels and specialty classes
Birthday Parties
Adult Paint Parties and Paint and Sip
Team Building
Staff parties
Family parties