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
Raising the Bar with your Photography (Thunderbird)
Date: July 01, 2025 6:00 pm - July 15, 2025 7:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 7/10
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.
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: July 01, 2025 6:30 pm - July 15, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 2/12
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: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $105.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: July 02, 2025 6:30 pm - July 16, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 1/12
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: 3 weeks
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $105.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Painting exercises: WATER LILIES
Date: July 07, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 0/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: Three-hour acrylics workshop with a focus on landscape painting. The project is inspired by the famous water lilies of Claude Monet in Giverny, France. The step-by-step instruction will cover color mixing and the small, overlapping brushstrokes typical for Impressionist painting. All materials provided.
Materials: None
Duration: 3 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Painting exercises: PALETTE KNIFE LANDSCAPE
Date: July 14, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 0/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3-hours acrylics workshop for everyone interested in learning a new experimental technique. The biggest challenge to paint with a palette knife is that there is no way to work on small details/ The reward-your work will have bold, textural and expressive quality.
Duration: 3 Hours
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Silver Clay Charms (Thunderbird)
Date: July 17, 2025 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 1/6
Instructor: Yvette McCollum (She/Her)
Description: Channel your inner alchemist and transform clay into treasure! In this hands-on class, you'll master the art of crafting exquisite silver charms using nothing more than silver clay and a handheld torch. Discover the thrill of watching your designs come to life as you manipulate the clay and witness the magic of the flame. With limitless creative possibilities, your imagination is the only boundary. Get ready to ignite your passion for jewelry making and create one-of-a-kind pieces that will leave everyone captivated.
Materials: Provided by Instructor
Prerequisite: No experience needed. Experience with a torch is helpful
Duration: 5 Hours
Ages: 18+
Cost: $110
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)
Date: August 05, 2025 6:30 pm - August 26, 2025 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 11/12
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