The Plein-Air Art Academy
Mastery. Meaning. Community
Award-winning programs for children, adults, and organizations seeking more connection, confidence, and creative thinking.
Through art history, mixed media exploration, and guided reflection, students develop technical skills alongside confidence, perseverance, and self-expression.
Our Signature Curriculum for Kids
Helping children build confidence through creativity.
Parents don't enroll for art.
They enroll because they want children who are:
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confident
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resilient
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creative problem-solvers
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comfortable expressing themselves
Our award-winning art program helps children develop mastery, meaning, and community through creativity.
Each semester, students explore a rich art history theme while working with a wide range of materials, including watercolor, clay, collage, drawing, painting, and mixed media. Guided by practicing artists, students build technical skills while developing confidence, creative problem-solving abilities, and their unique artistic voice.
Unlike template-based art projects, our curriculum encourages both skill development and self-expression. Students learn how artists throughout history have responded to the world around them, then use those ideas as inspiration for creating work that is distinctly their own.
Our youngest artists begin each class with engaging stories from art history and culture, building a foundation of knowledge and curiosity. Through hands-on exploration of varied materials, they strengthen focus, imagination, and perseverance while discovering the joy of making art.
As students grow, projects become more ambitious and individualized. We honor each child's pace and encourage thoughtful observation, attention to detail, and the satisfaction of bringing meaningful work to completion. Along the way, students learn not only artistic techniques but also resilience, self-expression, and confidence in their ideas.
Every semester culminates in a visit to a local art museum, where students experience original works firsthand and deepen their connection to the broader artistic community.
At Diana Stelin Gallery & Creative Studio, art education is about more than learning techniques. It is about helping young people become confident, capable, and self-expressed through meaningful creative experiences.
Our Signature Curriculum for Adults
More than an art class, this is a creative practice.
Each semester, we explore a different artist, movement, or cultural theme while working with drawing, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, oil painting, and clay.
Students develop technical skills and artistic confidence through hands-on projects, art history, and guided exploration.
Designed for both beginners and experienced artists, our classes foster mastery, self-expression, and community in a welcoming studio environment.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, reconnect with creativity, or simply make space for yourself each week, you'll leave with stronger artwork and a deeper connection to your creative voice.
Additional Offerings
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Our Signature Curriculum for Teens
Designed for serious young artists, this advanced class helps teens develop both technical mastery and creative confidence.
Students progress through drawing, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, and oil painting while building a strong foundation in observation, values, color theory, composition, anatomy, and artistic problem-solving.
Guided by practicing professional artists, they learn not only how to create stronger artwork, but also how to develop their own artistic voice.
Throughout the semester, students study artists and movements from art history, explore a variety of media, and learn how to make thoughtful creative decisions rather than simply follow instructions.
Emphasis is placed on perseverance, risk-taking, self-expression, and bringing ambitious projects to completion.
Whether pursuing a portfolio, strengthening artistic skills, or simply seeking a deeper creative challenge, students leave with greater mastery, confidence, and a stronger connection to their unique perspective.
