Thunderbird Arts Center, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, is a satellite location of Phoenix Center for the Arts, serving our North Phoenix communities. The facility opened to the public in the fall of 2016, and began offering classes for adults and youth year-round.
Students can register for a variety of art classes at this location, including: Ceramics, Mosaics, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Mosaics, Youth Art, and more!
Note: Click the “Sign Up” button at the bottom of a class description to register through the Center’s Mindbody registration platform. A Mindbody account is required to register for classes at the Center. Questions about registration or financial aid? Call (602) 254-3100 or email contacts@phoenixcenterforthearts.org to speak to a Patron Services Associate to speak to a Patron Services Associate.
Prior to arriving for in-person classes, students are required to digitally sign our Student Agreement.
Address:
Thunderbird Arts Center
1106 E. Grovers Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85022
(located in the building behind the Mountain View Community Center)
Hours of operation:
Our hours vary based on class schedules. Please contact our office to confirm the weekly hours.
Phone:
(602) 293-3267
Painting Exercise: CACTI
Date: April 06, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 1/10
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3 hour workshop with a focus on cacti in Spring. Step-by-step instruction. We will discuss how to shade with color, color mixing, composition, scale and gradation. This workshop can benefit all students interested in realistic landscape painting. All materials provided.
Materials: No materials required
Duration: 3 hours
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Intermediate / Advanced Acrylic Painting 4 weeks (Thunderbird)
Date: April 06, 2026 6:00 pm - April 27, 2026 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 5/12
Description: Landscapes, florals, water scenes, figure work, abstract, still life. Students take their work home each week and bring it back to work on it the following week.
Materials: All materials will be supplied by instructor.
Prerequisite: My beginner painting class, or another beginner painting class
Duration: 4 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $125.00
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird - 4 weeks)
Date: April 07, 2026 6:30 pm - April 28, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 6/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Great for beginners and intermediates. Step-by-step follow along tutorial to produce a completed painting in 2 hours! Always room to personalize/modify your art piece. Always fun! 4 weeks
Materials: All materials will be provided.
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85.00
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird - 4 weeks)
Date: April 08, 2026 6:30 pm - April 29, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 7/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Great for beginners and intermediates. Step-by-step follow along tutorial to produce a completed painting in 2 hours! Always room to personalize/modify your art piece. Always fun! 4 weeks
Materials: All materials will be provided.
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85.00
Creative Meditation (18+) Thunderbird
Date: April 12, 2026 12:00 pm - May 17, 2026 1:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Meditation has many benefits including relaxation, stress relief, improved mood, focus, and creativity. You will learn various meditation practices including breathwork, awareness, visualization, movement and stillness. Each class will include instruction, guided meditation, silent time to process, journal or sketch, and a closing circle to share any experiences or insights.
This is a flexible, safe and inclusive class that is respectful of all bodies and people from all backgrounds and spiritual or religious affiliations. You are free to meditate, move your body, and participate according to your own level of comfort and ability.
Materials: *Yoga mat (recommended) and any other items that would help you to feel comfortable meditating, such as a cushion, blanket, eye mask, socks. Journal and pen or pencil for making notes or sketches (optional).
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Duration: 6 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $120.00
Story Cloth (Thunderbird)
Date: April 12, 2026 1:30 pm - May 17, 2026 3:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Around the world, people have told their stories and shared their history and culture through fabric arts. Story cloths are created with appliqued fabric and 3-dimensional elements like dolls and embellishments. In this class, you will learn about the history of this folk art form, and you will design and create your own story cloth. We will continue the tradition of creating story cloths in community. This will be an opportunity to share stories and collaborate with others. Sewing is not required. Traditional story cloths are sewn by hand, but if you don’t want to do that, you can use fabric glue instead.
Materials: Sewing needles, thread, needle threader OR fabric glue (if you don’t want to sew)
Straight pins or safety pins
Pincushion
Scrap fabrics
Fabric shears/scissors
Pencil and eraser
Ruler or straight edge
Sketch paper 9”x12, 8.5”x11 or similar size
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Duration: 6 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $150.00
Emotional Healing Through Art Journaling (Thunderbird)
Date: April 12, 2026 9:00 am - May 17, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 11/12
Description: Learn how to use art journaling to explore your inner world and process emotions, thoughts and feelings. Intuitive art forms like drawing, painting, collage, visualization, journal writing, movement and meditation are healing modalities that can be combined to support your well-being. In this class, our focus is on the creative process and experience, not the finished product. There is a wise inner voice within each of us. Art journaling is a way to connect with your inner wisdom and allow it to guide you.
Materials: Watercolor paints (any kind)
Markers or gel pens, assorted colors
Pencil and eraser
Waterproof ink pen
Notebook or journal and pen for writing
Watercolor or mixed media paper sketchbook, about 9 x 12” or 8.5 x 11”
Watercolor Brush
Paint palette, water jar, paper towels, pencil, soft eraser,
Other items (optional)
masking tape or washi tape
Other water-soluble media such as watercolor pencils, crayons or markers if you enjoy them
Wax crayons or oil pastels
White gel pen or white ink
Stencils, stamps
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Duration: 6 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $180.00
Getting a Grip on your Digital Camera (Thunderbird)
Date: April 21, 2026 6:00 pm - May 05, 2026 7:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 5/9
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: If your digital camera has been the bane of your creative expression or you just want to start taking better images, then this class is for you. Bill will help you understand both the creative settings of your camera and show you how to create better images. You are encouraged to bring a camera to class and Bill will help in getting your camera set up for getting the shots you want. This class will also help you get better photos even with your cell phone.
Materials: Should have a camera or cell phone for photos
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 3 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $55.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Intermediate/ Advanced Acrylic Painting 3 weeks (Thunderbird)
Date: May 04, 2026 6:00 pm - May 18, 2026 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 9/12
Description: Landscapes, florals, water scenes, figure work, abstract, still life. Students take their work home each week and bring it back to work on it the following week.
Materials: All materials will be supplied by instructor.
Prerequisite: My beginner painting class, or another beginner painting class
Duration: 5 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85.00
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird - 4 weeks)
Date: May 05, 2026 6:30 pm - May 26, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Great for beginners and intermediates. Step-by-step follow along tutorial to produce a completed painting in 2 hours! Always room to personalize/modify your art piece. Always fun! 4 weeks
Materials: All materials will be provided.
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85.00
May Pottery Extension (Thunderbird)
Date: May 05, 2026 1:00 pm - May 26, 2026 4:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 4/10
Description: Let’s get dirty together. Join me Tuesday afternoons where I will help you learn the basics, centering and pulling a cylinder, or improving your skill level. Everyone has different strengths I will help you hone in on your individual throwing style.
Materials: None
Prerequisite: Instructor approval
Duration: 4 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $100.00
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird - 4 weeks)
Date: May 06, 2026 6:30 pm - May 27, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Great for beginners and intermediates. Step-by-step follow along tutorial to produce a completed painting in 2 hours! Always room to personalize/modify your art piece. Always fun! 4 weeks
Materials: All materials will be provided.
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85.00