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
Landscape Photography
Date: September 15, 2025 6:00 pm - November 03, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 7/10
Description: Have you ever happened upon an amazing sunset and started snapping photos and came away thinking, “But that is not how it looked when I took the photo!” We can’t fix those photos, but we CAN help you make sure that doesn’t happen again. This class begins with fundamentals, moves quickly into more advanced lighting control, and ends with a finished product that makes you want to go out for more.
Materials: Students must have their own DSLR or mirrorless camera with the Manual (M) function. Smartphones and point and shoot cameras will not be effective for the end result you desire.
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of DSLR or mirrorless camera. Must have own DSLR or mirrorless camera with Manual (M) function - this is not a cellphone or point and shoot class.
Duration: 7
Days Off: Indigenous People's Day
Ages: 18+
Cost: $250.00
Drawing Exercise: Perspective
Date: September 22, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 7/12
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3 hour workshop with main goal to introduce students to linear and aerial perspective, as well as shading. To achieve the illusion of space we will do a step-by-step drawing of mostly architectural objects. Important art terms like horizon, vanishing point will be discussed, as well as the difference between one-, two- and three-point perspective.
Materials: No materials required
Duration: 1 day
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
IMPRESSIONISM IN ACRYLICS
Date: September 24, 2025 6:00 pm - October 29, 2025 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/12
Description: In this class we will utilize the main elements of impressionistic painting: capturing the flickering light, use of vibrant colors and variety of brushstrokes. We will paint without black! The projects will cover nature landscapes, cityscapes, and lake site (waterscape). We’ll discuss some of the best examples from the masters of Impressionism and translate their artistic philosophy and technique to painting landscapes today.
Materials: No materials required
Duration: 6 weeks
Prerequisites: No Experience Required
Ages: 16+
Cost: $200
Drawing Exercise: Portrait
Date: September 29, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 5/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3 hour workshop dedicated to introducing beginners to drawing a human portrait. We will discuss proportion, shading and how to achieve realistic look and catch the person’s character. All materials provided.
Duration: 3 Hours
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Raising the Bar with your Photography (Thunderbird)
Date: October 02, 2025 6:00 pm - October 16, 2025 7:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/9
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Bill Guy (He/Him)
Description: If you have already advance past the Auto Setting on your camera and are looking to be more creative with your images then this class is for you. This 3 week class will help you improve on your photographic vision and work. Knowing the difference between Auto and Priority settings is the first step. Now let's understand how a lens choice can completely change the look of your image. Add to this understanding the rules of composition and when to break them.
This course also includes using some basic Lightroom and Photoshop tips to enhance your images. Plus Bill encourages you to bring in your images for review and comment (no ridicule just positive critiques and suggestions) and, with your permission, he will do an edit in real time. You should have a good understanding of your camera for this class.
Topics
- Long vs Wide angle
- Time of day
- Mood vs feeling
- Color vs Black and White
- What is at the edge of your image
- What are the rules of Composition and when to break them
Materials: Your camera
Prerequisite: Have used Digital Camera and are comfortable with it functions.
Duration: 3 weeks
Ages: 15+
Cost: $75.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Painting exercises: POINTILLISM (Thunderbird)
Date: October 06, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3 hour acrylic workshop dedicated to the technique of painting landscapes with dots. An introduction to the art of the French artists George Seurat and Paul Signac will be the starting point for our experimentations. Ste-by-step instructions. All materials provided.
Materials: No materials required
Duration: 1 Day
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Getting a Grip on your Digital Camera (Thunderbird)
Date: October 07, 2025 6:00 pm - October 21, 2025 7:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 9/9
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Bill Guy (He/Him)
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.
Materials: Camera or cell phone
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 3 weeks
Ages: 15+
Cost: $55
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: October 07, 2025 6:30 pm - October 28, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/12
Description: Fun for all levels, but specifically designed for beginners. We learn the basics of painting while also experiencing perspective, value, abstract, and impressionism.
Materials: No materials required
Duration: 4 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: October 08, 2025 6:30 pm - October 29, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 9/12
Description: Fun for all levels, but specifically designed for beginners. We learn the basics of painting while also experiencing perspective, value, abstract, and impressionism.
Materials: No materials required
Duration: 4 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85
Drawing into Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: October 11, 2025 12:30 pm - November 08, 2025 3:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 9/12
Fundamentals of Drawing II (Thunderbird)
Date: October 11, 2025 9:30 am - November 08, 2025 12:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Expand your artistic vocabulary as you experiment with shading, perspective, and composition. Develop your unique style and express your creativity with confidence. Whether you're aspiring to pursue a career in art or simply seeking personal fulfillment, this course is the perfect stepping stone to elevate your artistic journey."
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Painting exercises: TREES
Date: October 20, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3 hour acrylic 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: No materials required
Duration: 3 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50