ART CLASSES
Where does Jenny teach after-school art classes?
Currently, Jenny is teaching after school at Springer School in Los Altos, St. Nicholas School in Los Altos Hills, and St. Simon School in Los Altos.
How much are your art classes or camps?
Class prices vary, based on the number of weeks they are. Please email me at jenny@artwithjenny.com for information.
Why choose Art With Jenny?
There are so many reasons! Many art classes focus on art history, technique, and repetition. I find that for most children, this stuff is just plain boring! They don’t really care about Vangoh and his methods when they are young, they just want to cut/paste/color/paint/craft/arrange/make messes and create! My classes focus on making art fun and encouraging the joy of art. I always choose fun, age-appropriate projects that I believe the kids will love. And, I mix it up every week between mediums to keep it fun, different, and interesting for them. They get to be creative, express themselves, think out of the box, and just be themselves. In my classes, mistakes are OK and part of the process. I encourage the children to be proud of their work and encourage them to think beyond “just getting it done“. I often ask questions like “What else could you do to make this better? What’s your favorite thing about your project? What’s your favorite thing about your neighbor’s art project, and why?” Art is becoming less of a priority in schools these days which breaks my heart. It’s important for so many reasons! It’s relaxing, it fosters creativity and it’s GREAT for development.
In my Art Classes, I promote:
— Making Art Fun
— Creativity
— Mistakes are OK
— Learning from mistakes and turning them into something beautiful
— Friendship & Kindness
— Complimenting Other’s Art
— Confidence Building
— Skills Development
— Tips & Tricks for each medium
Do kids have to wear face masks during the art classes?
I’m going to leave this entirely up to the parents.
How do you teach your classes?
I teach in a variety of different ways and like to mix it up. Some lessons are teacher-led, line by line where the entire group is doing the same thing at the same time. Other lessons are much more interpretive and allow the children much more freedom. Some lessons start teacher-led and end in the students finishing the art in their own way. In all cases, children are always allowed to choose their own colors and add their own elements and vision to their art.
Do you teach any art history?
I will definitely make references to art history at times, but I do not include much art history in my lessons. Although Art History is very important and I personally love learning about it, I don’t focus on it or make it a huge part of the classes. My classes are contemporary, interesting to kids, and fun!
What is your background in art?
I am completely self-taught, but should also credit hundreds of artists that teach their amazing art techniques on Youtube. Back in my college days, I went to UC Santa Barbara and graduated with a major in Sociology and a minor in Health Science. My love of art didn’t enter my life until I was an adult. I call myself an “accidental artist”. I have been teaching art camps, classes, and paint parties now for over 12 years and for all ages. I’ve taught full-time at schools, many after-school art programs at schools as well as private classes, group lessons, and paint parties.
What materials are used in your art classes?
Everything! I love to switch it up and keep it interesting! I also love using all mediums. In any given class, we might be painting with watercolors, sketching with pencils, coloring with chalk pastels, painting with acrylics, and coloring with markers. You might find us collaging, layering, beading, creating with clay and or cardboard, or making robots with miscellaneous parts. We will also be crafting occasionally. Again, I really like to mix it up and keep the kids engaged. I only choose projects that I think the kids will enjoy.
Do you do art projects around the holidays?
Yes! I love creating holiday-themed projects and I often make decorations with the kids in advance. (For example, we might make Halloween decorations in early October so they can be displayed as decorations.) However, before I work with a child on an ongoing basis, I always check with the parents about which holidays they observe. So, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, we will not make any Christmas art projects, etc.
What should my child bring to art class?
Nothing is needed! If you’d like, you can provide your child with an apron or an old, oversized t-shirt to protect their clothing. (Note – it’s a good idea for the children to wear short sleeves to class, as long sleeves can get in the way and can easily get paint on them. It’s also a good idea for girls to pull long hair back into a ponytail or bun.)
What is your sick child policy?
Please, please, please don’t come to class if anyone in your house is sick. I promise to do the same. Let’s all keep our germs to ourselves. This includes bad colds where the child is coughing or has a constant runny nose.
If my child misses a class, what is your make-up policy?
Unfortunately, I do not have a makeup policy. It just becomes an administrative headache to track everyone’s vacations, sick days and missed classes and then try to fit them into another one of the classes.
Will my child keep their artwork at the end of each class?
Yes! Sometimes your child’s artwork will still be wet from paint at the end of the class. If this is the case, it’s great to have a safe area where the art can be left undisturbed until it’s dry. In other cases, some project might take multiple days to finish. When this is the case I will hold onto your child’s artwork until it’s finished.
My child is a true beginner with art. Will she do Ok in your classes?
Absolutely! All of the kids have different abilities and my classes cater to all levels of art. I try to make each individual feel good about their personal styles, work, and accomplishments.
I’ve been told my child is more of an advanced artist. Will he be bored in your class?
No. I cater to all different levels of art. If your child is more advanced, I will encourage them to do more detailed artwork up to their ability. Some kids will be happy just painting the tiger we are making in class. Other kids will paint the tiger with great detail, and then add highlights, hills, grass, trees, birds in the trees, a sunset, etc.
I’d like my child to learn art techniques and practice repetition. Will you teach that?
If you are looking for an art class for your child to learn about art history and/or practice techniques over and over, this probably isn’t the right class for you. I am upfront about the fact that my classes focus more on making kid-focused, fun projects that the kids will enjoy, rather than teaching techniques and history. This is more of a “fun” class/camp than a serious one. (That said, I definitely teach certain techniques from time to time, show technique videos when appropriate, and demonstrate techniques when appropriate! I believe that kids learn the most when they are enjoying what they are doing!)
What is the difference between recurring classes and one-off classes?
Recurring classes happen every week on the same day at the same time at the same place. Recurring classes get 1st priority pick on days and times and are guaranteed a class every week. One-off classes can happen at any time there is availability.
Where can I see your availability?
To check availability, please email me at jenny@artwithjenny.com.
It looks like your classes are full. Is there a waiting list?
Yes. Please email me at jenny@artwithjenny.com if you’d like to be placed on the waiting list. I will let you know as soon as a spot opens up. If you aren’t available at that day/time, I’ll move down to the next person and offer them the slot.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Absolutely! If you or your child decides this isn’t the right class, just let me know after your first class and I’ll be more than happy to refund your money in full. No hard feelings at all. (Applies to new students only.)
Are your prices competitive?
If you look around at other local, private art classes in the area, you will find that my prices are very competitive! Also, please remember that art supplies are included and are expensive, and I only use the highest quality supplies.
What payment methods do you accept?
I accept cash, checks, Venmo, or Paypal. Most classes can also be booked through the Activity Hero website. I book classes in different week increments (depending on the location) and payment is made upfront to reserve your consistent day and time. 🙂 The worst part of my job is having to chase down people who forget to pay, so I now ask that payments are made at the time of booking and in advance.
Do you offer a sibling discount?
At this time I don’t offer sibling discounts.
Do you offer charitable donations?
Absolutely. I love to support my local community! In the past, I have donated my time and also financially to the following school auctions & charities:
— The Nephcure Foundation
— St. Simon School Auction
— Pinewood School Auction
— Santa Rita School Auction
— Covington School Auction
— Springer School Auction
— Benjamin Bubb School Auction
— Cherry Chase School Auction
Please email me at jenny@artwithjenny.com for future donation requests.
I have more questions. What’s the best way to contact you?
Please email me at jenny@artwithjenny.com. I prefer email and usually get back to you (and answer all your questions) right away. If you don’t hear back from me right away, please allow up to 48 hours for a reply.