Rhonda Conn-Parent

Rhonda formed the Studio Graduate class after many years of teaching art to children. Rhonda recognized what children wanted and needed as artists and as learners. As a result “The Grad Class” is designed to balance structure and freedom, a “flipped” classroom or art studio where the student produces work primarily from their own vision along with one monthly “touch point” art lesson taught by Rhonda or a local artist. Touch point lessons add to students repertoire of skills that they can then integrate into their own art-envisioning/making process; from art history, to art appreciation, to specific art techniques.

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A fun aspect of The Grad Class is students can work together or glean new ideas from one another. The class is limited to 12 students to allow for a calm independent class dynamic.

The Grad class is not based on age level, it is based on a readiness to produce work independently. Ages can vary, with a minimum age of 10 to max of 18.

The soul, passion and energy of the group organically forms into an art “sanctuary” where young people can live their artist-self with courage, a willingness to grow and authentic love for exercising that voice inside of them that truly needs a platform.