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 frontdesk@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
Learn to Draw the Head and Face (Thunderbird)
Date: May 24, 2025 3:30 pm - June 21, 2025 6:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Materials: 11"x14" drawing pad and a pencil.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Painting exercises: TREES
Date: June 02, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 11/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3-hour acrylics workshop with step-by-step instruction on how to paint trees. We will cover a few aspects of landscape painting including composition, proportion, color mixing and shading. All materials provided.
Materials: None
Duration: 3 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: June 03, 2025 6:30 pm - June 24, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 3/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Nancy Troupe
Description: If you are looking for a fun and ever changing class, this unique bundle is structured to create a new painting each week during your class time. Learn through fun and easy step by step instruction. All supplies will be provided, so you can easily get started creating wonderful works of art. All new paintings from previous classes!
Materials: Supplies provided
Duration: 4 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $105.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: June 04, 2025 6:30 pm - June 25, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Nancy Troupe
Description: If you are looking for a fun and ever changing class, this unique bundle is structured to create a new painting each week during your class time. Learn through fun and easy step by step instruction. All supplies will be provided, so you can easily get started creating wonderful works of art. All new paintings from previous classes!
Materials: Supplies provided
Duration: 4 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $105.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Painting Exercise: CLOUDS
Date: June 09, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 11/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur (She/Her)
Description: 3-hour acrylics workshop with a focus on clouds. Two compositions will be presented to practice different types of clouds in a variety of light conditions. We will discuss brushstrokes, color mixing and gradation as well. This workshop will benefit those interested in realistic landscape painting.
Materials: All materials provided
Duration: 3 Hours
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Getting a Grip on your Digital Camera (Thunderbird)
Date: June 11, 2025 6:00 pm - June 25, 2025 7:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/10
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: Your camera
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 3 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $60
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Advanced Drawing Studio I (Thunderbird)
Date: June 14, 2025 12:30 pm - July 12, 2025 3:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/14
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description:Each meeting will introduce a new project with emphasis on drawing, principles of art, and color. I invite you to bring into class your own projects for critique and developmental help.
Materials: For the first class you will need a medium sized drawing pad along with drawing materials.
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Drawing II
Duration: 5 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $150
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Intro to Drawing (Thunderbird)
Date: June 14, 2025 9:30 am - July 12, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 10/14
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Created as a precursor to Drawing 1, this is a great starter for those who have little experience in drawing and have a desire to learn the fundamentals of drawing and delineation. Beginners who want to learn to "see" and apply methods which will lead to the creative world of art.
Duration: 5 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $150
Materials: One drawing pad at least 8 x 10, 1 charcoal pencil, 1 2b pencil & a kneaded eraser. A small supply list will be provided on the first day of class.
Please arrive 15 minutes before class starts.
Painting exercises: SEASCAPE
Date: June 16, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Three-hour acrylic workshop representing the sea at the time of sunset. We will discuss and practice all main elements of landscape painting- composition, proportion, linear and aerial perspective, gradation and more. Step-by-step instructions. This workshop is beneficial for all students interested in realistic and impressionistic painting. All materials provided.
Materials: None
Duration: 1 Day
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Painting exercises: DESERT SUNSET
Date: June 23, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 10/12
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: Three-hour acrylic workshop with a focus on the desert sky at sunset. We will discuss and practice all main elements of landscape painting- composition, proportion, linear and aerial perspective, gradation and more. Step-by-step instructions. This workshop is beneficial for all students interested in realistic and impressionistic painting. All materials provided.
Materials: None
Duration: 1 Day
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.