San Antonio Busy Kids

If your child’s inner Picasso made an appearance in school last semester, maybe you’ve thought about a few classes on the side for some extra inspiration. San Antonio has some gems of art spaces just ready to get your child painting, drawing, building and crafting (and filling your walls with beautiful works of art!).

We’ve rounded up five cool spots for your young artist. As a bonus…several of them offer classes for adults, too…in case you want to dig your fingers in the paint, as well.

Inspire Fine Art
200 Queen Anne Court
(210) 829-5592

With a free Family Art Day each month, you’ll be able to test out this eclectic spot nestled near downtown in an old, but quaint house. Classes are a semester long, starting January 30 and running through April 21 for children starting as young as six years old. Costs start at $165 and include everything from ceramics to art with wire, paper mache and recycled materials. There’s drawing, painting, even street art. We have some experience with this wonderful crew of artists when my son double-dutied a summer camp there this summer, both taking and teaching an origami class. It’s a fun spot, colorful, with small classes and lots of one-on-one attention.

Southwest School of Art
300 Augusta
210-224-1848

You can sign up for free Saturday Morning Discovery art classes for children ages 5-17. These month-long free sessions meet from 9:30 – 11:30am on Saturdays, but fill up fast. FYI: if you are interested in summer camp at SSA, scholarships applications are now being accepted. Details here.  SSA also offers Saturday classes four youth for four to six weeks during the school year. This spring classes, for ages 7 to 10 include pastels, drawing and clay handbuilding. Tuition is $140. To register call 210-224-1848 ext. 317, or click here to register online. First time students can mention the coupon on the back of the spring brochure (hint, hint) and get a discount.

Artworks Art Studio for Children
1840 Nacogdoches Rd, 210-826-2787
7715 Mainland Suite 103, 210-256-2787

With two convenient locations, Artworks has classes for little ones, afterschool and even homeschoolers. You can pay by the month, or pay as you go, starting as low as $10 per month for classes in multi-media, drawing, painting, even cooking. Early courses introduce art alongside mommy, daddy or caregiver and gradually little ones become independent explorers. Be sure to check out open art days for children ages two and up, and art night out (read: drop the kids off and head for the movies). Courses start for children as young as 18 months.

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
1300 Guadalupe Street
210-271-3151

Classes begin Saturday, January 17 and run through May 26 for children ages 8 and up, and I just love these course titles: Discover Arte, Junkitecture and Stop-Motion Animation. Courses, which are held weekday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., cost $175 and you can register online.

My Art Starz
Held in various locations in San Antonio and Boerne
210-945-4411

Classes begin January 23 for My Art Starz at multiple locations around town for children ages 6 and up. Check to see if this is offered at your child’s school. If not, there are also a few in community locations, including Hobby Lobby and Boerne ISD Community Ed Portable. Check the website for a complete listing. My Art Starz teachers offer both a basic art class that covers the fundamentals and an advanced class that teaches color theory, value and perspective. My daughter thrived in this class…a piece she created still hangs, framed in our living room.

Be sure to check our calendar for free and upcoming art events, like Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics, Michael’s free craft events and more!

Know of any other great art places? Leave a comment here!