Our goal is to develop YOUR potential in an atmosphere of unlimited possibilities!
The Artists Playground is an art studio located near downtown Newburyport, Massachusetts, which is on the ‘North Shore’, just south of the New Hampshire boarder, at the mouth of the Merrimack River. Our space is in an old mill called The Tannery, a beautifully renovated complex housing 60+ retail and service businesses. We are in Mill #1 and our ‘end’ of the Mill has developed into an area for the arts. There is also a dance studio, music studio and an acting studio in the same location. We have been in business for nearly 25 years! We have both adult and young students from Newbury and West Newbury, Rowley, Merrimac, Amesbury, Salisbury, etc. in Massachusetts and many who come from southern New Hampshire.
We teach classes that include the following techniques:
Drawing:
• Fundamental of Drawing
• Perspective I, II and III
• Portrait Drawing
Painting:
• Oils• Watercolorbr /> • Acrylics
• Colored & watercolor pencils
• Oil Pastels
Composition:
• Using Colorr
• Principles & Elements of Design
Collage:
• Using torn/cut paperr
• Tissue paper, old paintings, etc.
We also conduct workshops in various techniques including, but not limited to:
• Color workshop
• Painting from the Heart
• Gelatin Prints• Collage & Abstract watercolor
• Fast Painting
• Outdoor painting
In addition we offer painting excursions at least once a year. Recently these have included weekend trips to Ogunquit, Maine and Mohegan Island, Maine.
Our adult classes are held mornings and evenings for 2½ hours. They are on-going all year and adult students usually sign up for one class per week. However, it is not uncommon to take two or more classes if someone is on a ‘fast track’.
The adult classes are informal and relaxed. Rather than being focused on one technique or discipline in a class, each student works at their own level and pace with the teacher providing input as needed.
Our children’s classes run in 6 week sessions. These are after school classes, from 3:30 to 5:00, Monday thru Friday. Similar to the adult classes, many things are going on at once. The classes, for the most part, are non-directive, allowing the child to progress at their own pace. We have found that when they are ready to learn new techniques they learn faster, better and with more enjoyment.
We encourage parents to bring prospective young students to a class before joining to see if they will both benefit from and add to our learning environment. We have had many children start with us at 6 or 7 years old and continue for many years. Several have gone on to attain art degrees in higher education.
We hope you will take the opportunity to visit our studio and/or our Gallery, which is right next door and is called Minutia. You will find our hours and directions on our contact page. You may also want to check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
