Studio Classes for Adults

The Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery hosts a  regular schedule of studio classes and

activities at the Virgin Valley Artist Association's Art and Pottery Studio in Room

30 of  the Old Elementary  School.  Classes are open  to residents of the Virgin

River Valley, and at very reasonable prices.

To view the  outstanding works  created by  our  instructors,  visit our venues at

the Bank of Nevada and Mesa View Hospital, as well as our fine Gallery exhibits.

Please call or visit  the Gallery to sign up or obtain more information about class schedules and  fees.   Note the phone  numbers and Gallery  hours on  this web

page.

Pottery Wheel
New classes begin each month.  Taught on Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am - noon, and also from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm  by Master Potters Kathleen and Harlo Birkholz, each student of these four week classes goes home with their own finished bowl, plate, cup, dish with a lid, and a pitcher.

Clay/Slab Pottery is taught by Marcia Kokoczka on Tuesdays from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Classes in December, 2009.

Watercolors
Join Char Lang in the Art Studio on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.  Whether you are a "beginner" or an "old hand" with the watercolor process, Char  will provide you with individual instruction and attention. You can attend classes regularly, or "drop in" on your own schedule.  The fee for each class is $15.00.

Acrylics
In her 9:00 am - 12:30 pm Monday acrylic classes Diana Coonradt starts from the beginning and takes her students through the painting process step by step, being sure that they are comfortable with each new step and new art concept.  She treats acrylics like oils so that the finished art resembles oil paintings.

Drawing
Beautiful art can be created with nothing but a piece of paper and a # 2 yellow school pencil. Taught by Bunny Wiseman on Monday afternoons from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, students will also learn to express themselves using colored pencils.

Oil or Acrylic Painting 

Learn the fundamentals of painting with artist Bunny Wiseman on Tuesday's from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.  New classes begin each month, and you can stop by the Gallery to sign up and to obtain the materials list.  Bunny will teach you the brushes, colors, canvases and mediums are best for you. The monthly fee for all this instruction is $80.00.

Clay Sculpture (Currently Not Available)

Classes are offered by Casey Olsen on Wednesdays from 9:00 am - noon.  A minimum of five students is needed.

Photography

Join photographer Bob Stone on monthly photo shoots - and follow up critiques - each month.  Please contact the Gallery for dates, times and places.

      Studio Classes for Youth

          Get Smart With Art

          The Virgin Valley Artist's Association presents an art instruction project

          funded, in part, by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council, Department of

          Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

          One day each week local artists introduce the following creative

                           opportunities to your child:

                                 Acrylics  -  Pottery  - Collage 

                                   Pencil Drawing and Colored Pencil Drawing

                                   Pastel Art  -  Watercolors  -  Oil Painting

                           Creative activities have been shown to improve over all performance in all

                           other classroom studies.  Your child is offered the opportunity to expand their artistic

                           knowledge and creative thinking abilities. 

                           All materials are supplied. Classes are held each Wednesday from 4:15 p.m.

                           to 5:45 p.m. in the Art Room.

                           Stop by the Gallery to register your child for this excellent opportunity.

                           Young Artist Summer Activity Classes

The Young Artist Summer Activities (YASA) classes teach youth about the elements of art in an exciting, hands on approach. Area artists demonstrate different disciplines while engaging students as they create their own artworks.   Students create several projects during the summer classes that not only produce works of art, but also give each student a great feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. (And a lot of learning takes place as well!)   The students’ work is showcased and displayed in the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery where an open house and reception is held at the end of each class session.   VVAA President Kathleen Birkholz is the coordinator and lead teacher. Last year was a great success and more fun than most could handle!   For more information call Kathleen at the gallery: 702-346-1338.  Or you may click below to: Download the 2009 YASA fact sheet/application form.

Workshops with Steve Lesnick

Study Oil, watercolor, acrylic and pencil with Steve on Fridays from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. A minimum of five students is needed. To sign up and pay for your workshop, come into the Gallery.  You will receive a supply list for your particular medium.

Mr. Lesnick is an internationally known artist,

art instructor, author, newspaper columnist,

inventor and art consultant. 

Some of his numerous awards and prizes

include: The National Art in the Parks Competition

(shown at right), The Barnum Circus Festival,

The International Tokyo Art Competition, the

Nevada State Museum in Carson City,

and a purchase award for the National

Wright Brothers Memorial.

He is listed in Artists USA and Who's Who

in American Art.  His work is also in

the Smithsonian and White House Collections.

As an art educator Steve has been an instructor for the Famous Artists of America School of Art.  For almost twenty years he wrote the nationally syndicated "Art is for Everyone" newspaper column, and is the author of "How to Paint and Draw" art books.  In addition to all this, Steve invents art materials and equipment, the most popular of which is the "Funny Brush" that is marketed successfully here and abroad.

Steve's workshops may include Weather Problems, Composition, Drawing, Pastel, Watercolor and Major Movements in Art.  In all of his workshops and classes Steve works with his students in whatever medium they are most comfortable, whether it be watercolor, oil or acrylic.  All of the workshops are practical, down to earth, and easy to understand.

His step by step demonstrations give you techniques on how to use color that are explained completely and easy to understand.  Steve shows you how to apply what you learn.