Thunderbird Arts Center

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


 
Filters:
 
Painting Exercise: Clouds

Painting Exercise: Clouds

Date: January 07, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 10/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor: Hristi Wilbur

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
 
Prerequisites: None

Ages: 16+
 
Cost: $50
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)

Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)

Date: January 07, 2025 6:30 pm - January 28, 2025 8:30 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 9/12

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
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: $85

Landscape Panting In Oils Or Acrylics (Thunderbird)

Landscape Panting In Oils Or Acrylics (Thunderbird)

Date: January 07, 2025 9:30 am - February 18, 2025 12:30 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 12/12

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
 
Instructor: Nancy Price

Description: Enjoy painting, in a relaxed environment, from your own landscape photo or one provided. Individual attention will be given to students of all levels. Students will be assisted with creating dynamic compositions, mixing colors, simplifying shapes and establishing focal points & correct values.

Materials:

-Canvas
-Basic starter set of oils OR acrylics
-Brushes in a variety of sizes and shapes including a filbert, a liner a mop, a round, a fan brush and a flat brush
-ODORLESS Turpenoid and linseed oil, if using oil paint
-2 small jars with lids
-palette knife (metal for oil paint and plastic for acrylic paint)
-PRINTED OUT original landscape photos. Please bring several different photos with both light and shadows with a variety of colors. (NO Pinterest paintings or painting from other artists.)
-A painting apron or old shirt because painting is messy!
-A roll of paper towels, (Viva is preferred.)
-Pencil and a kneaded eraser
-Sketch paper
-A covered palette box with disposable palette paper or glass insert

Duration: 7 weeks

Prerequisites: None

Ages: 18+

Cost: $235

Sketching (Or How To Look Like You're Paying Attention When You're Not)

Sketching (Or How To Look Like You're Paying Attention When You're Not)

Date: January 07, 2025 7:00 pm - April 15, 2025 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 9/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor: Brian Diskin (He/Him)

Description: What if the outskirts of Paris was a fashion statement by Joan of Arc and not her location on August 26, 1429? Is a stapler the most interesting thing you've seen during a business PowerPoint? While pondering these obscure, or mundane, observations you can improve your hand-eye coordination, imagination AND appear to be paying attention. Sketching can make history fun and business meetings actually productive!

But seriously, sketching is a good way to relieve stress, improve observation, and recycle paper. Not to mention it can be done anywhere, anytime on most any type of paper with a common ballpoint pen. Sketching can be a rough drawing first step of an art project or the rough drawing answer to a visual problem. It is NOT meant to be a clean final drawing or a masterpiece! That's why we're drawing on most any type of paper.

Materials: Ballpoint pens (3), 60 sheets of 8.5" x 11" white copy paper with one unused side, 2 spiral bound note books or 2 business sized note pads (preferably white).

Prerequisite: none

Duration: 15 Weeks

Ages: 8-17

Cost: $320

Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check in.

Beyond Basic Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)

Beyond Basic Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)

Date: January 07, 2025 6:00 pm - April 15, 2025 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 0/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor:Jon Higuchi

Description: Designed for Intermediate and Advanced level students who wish to improve their pottery wheel throwing skills beyond basic pottery forms. Emphasis will be on exploring the more complex throwing principles of developing a wider range of pot shapes such as the lidded vessel, plate, bottle forms through instructor lead demonstrations and tailored supervision.

Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $40 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $25 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!

Duration: 15 weeks

Prerequisites: Must be able to throw a centered cylinder on a potter's wheel.

Ages: 16+

Cost: $395

Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.

Better Pots - Better Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)

Better Pots - Better Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)

Date: January 08, 2025 6:00 pm - April 16, 2025 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 4/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor: Jon Higuchi

Description: Designed for Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced level students who wish to improve their pottery wheel throwing and glazing skills. Emphasis will be on analyzing /correcting poor wheel throwing habits that prevent you from advancing to the next level. Learn more complex throwing principles in developing a wider range of pot shapes and glazing techniques through instructor lead demonstrations and tailored supervision.

Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $50 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $25 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!

Duration: 15 weeks

Prerequisites: Wheel throwing experience and must be able to throw a centered cylinder on the potter’s wheel.

Ages: 16+

Price: $395

Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.

Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)

Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird)

Date: January 08, 2025 6:30 pm - January 29, 2025 8:30 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 7/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
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: $85

Wednesday Daytime Clay (Thunderbird)

Wednesday Daytime Clay (Thunderbird)

Date: January 08, 2025 1:00 pm - April 16, 2025 4:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 0/11

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor: Jon Higuchi

Description: Designed for both experienced wheel throwers and hand builders. Emphasis will be on a casual hands-on approach with the instructor, who will work with you one on one as needed to help move you further along in your pottery skills path. Engaging class demonstrations and discussion are also included. Students also have the option to work independently..

Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $50 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $25 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!

Duration: 15 weeks

Prerequisites: Wheel throwing experience and must be able to throw a centered cylinder on the potter’s wheel.

Ages: 16+

Cost: $395.00

Arrival Time: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of class to check-in.

Acrylics for Beginners (Thunderbird)

Acrylics for Beginners (Thunderbird)

Date: January 08, 2025 6:00 pm - February 12, 2025 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 7/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
 
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur

Description: This six-week course is an introduction to acrylic painting focusing on a variety of styles and subject matter. There will be an individual approach to each student’s abilities and needs. The emphasis will be on acquiring skills in realistic painting. Projects will include landscapes, still life, portrait and decorative compositions based on the elements of art and principles of design. Students will learn the basics of color theory and color mixing, as well as how to use perspective, proportion, value, scale, etc. in making visually appealing compositions. 

Duration: 6 weeks

Prerequisites: No Experience Required

Ages: 16+

Cost: $200
 
Materials: All materials will be provided, including painting surfaces, brushes, palette knives and tools. Optional: bring a sketchbook for additional drawings and notes.
Open Clay Studio - Handbuilding  (Thunderbird)

Open Clay Studio - Handbuilding (Thunderbird)

Date: January 08, 2025 6:00 pm - April 16, 2025 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 3/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
 
Instructor: Jon Higuchi
 
Description:All levels of Hand Builders welcome! Students can work independently with limited hands-on help from the instructor as needed.

Materials: Please bring your own pottery hand tools, an apron and hand towel. Depending on project of choice, students should expect to spend a minimum of $50 for materials. Clay is available for purchase in class at $25 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!

Prerequisite: Previous clay experience and be able to work independently

Duration: 15 Weeks

Ages: 16+

Cost: $395

Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.

Beginning Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)

Beginning Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)

Date: January 09, 2025 6:00 pm - April 17, 2025 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 2/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor: Jon Higuchi (He/Him)

Description: Designed for Beginner and Intermediate level students who wish to begin or improve their ceramics education by learning about various ceramic materials and methods of throwing on the potter’s wheel. Emphasis will be on exploring the basic throwing principles of forming and finishing cylindrical forms through instructor lead group demonstrations and individual hands-on instruction
 
Materials: Please bring your own hand tools or purchase the 9 piece Kemper ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time. Bring an apron and hand towel. Students should expect to spend a minimum of $40 for materials, depending on project of choice. Clay is available for purchase in class at $25 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!
 
Prerequisite: Basic potter’s wheel experience and/or hand building clay construction, helpful but not required.

Duration: 15 Weeks

Ages: 18+

Cost: $395

Beginning Wheel Throwing  (Thunderbird)

Beginning Wheel Throwing (Thunderbird)

Date: January 11, 2025 10:00 am - April 19, 2025 1:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 6/12

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor: Chelsea Koressel

Description: This class is for those who wish to begin their ceramics education by learning to throw on the potter's wheel. For beginners and those with very little experience. Also for those who have been away from the throwing process for a while and need a refresher course.
 
Materials: Please bring your own hand tools or purchase the 9 piece Kemper ceramics tool kit from Marjon's Ceramics Supply prior to class time. Bring an apron and hand towel. Students should expect to spend a minimum of $40 for materials, depending on project of choice. Clay is available for purchase in class at $25 per 25lb. bag. Please bring cash!
 
Duration: 15 weeks 

Prerequisites: No experience Required

Ages: 18+

Cost: $385
 
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Fundamentals of Drawing 1 (Thunderbird)

Fundamentals of Drawing 1 (Thunderbird)

Date: January 11, 2025 9:30 am - February 08, 2025 12:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 6/12

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.

Instructor:Robert Roselli

Description: This class is an introduction to the fundamentals of drawing. Concepts covered will be line, shape, proportion, positive and negative shapes, values, and texture. This class is a great starting point for beginners. Exercises will focus on the basics of drawing what you see. Students will begin to develop their unique artistic perception.

Duration: 5 weeks

Prerequisites: Intro to Drawing or some drawing experience. The instructor assumes a basic understanding of the fundamentals of drawing such as recent high school, college, or community classes.

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.

Ages: 16+

Cost: $150.00

Painting exercises: TREES

Painting exercises: TREES

Date: January 14, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 8/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
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 with Stained Glass Painting (Thunderbird)

Fun with Stained Glass Painting (Thunderbird)

Date: January 15, 2025 5:00 pm - February 26, 2025 7:00 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 9/9

Registration ends 2 weeks prior to class beginning. Student or Guardian must bring ID to first class.

Instructor:Patti Kaloczi

Description: Unleash your inner artist and explore the captivating world of stained glass painting. This immersive workshop is teens who want to refine their artistic skills and create stunning works of art.

We'll guide you through the process of outlining or "leading" your chosen painting or picture, then introduce you to the art of color blending and mixing to achieve the luminous effects of traditional stained glass. This is a fantastic opportunity to elevate your creativity and produce beautiful pieces that you'll cherish for years to come.

You'll complete two projects during the workshop, and we promise a lot of fun and artistic satisfaction along the way. Join us and experience the joy of stained glass painting!

Duration: 7 weeks

Prerequisites: No Experience Required

Materials: All Materials Provided

Ages: 13-18

Cost: $205

Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.

Getting a Grip on your Digital Camera (Thunderbird)

Getting a Grip on your Digital Camera (Thunderbird)

Date: January 15, 2025 6:00 pm - January 29, 2025 7:30 pm

Location: Thunderbird Arts Center

Available Slots: 10/10

Registration ends 2 days prior to the first class.
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: 18+

Cost: $55

Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins