Art & performance classes for youth
Expression and collaboration
I teach hands-on arts and performance classes for youth to develop the ability to both self-express and to notice and learn from the expression of others. These classes encourage the joy of experimentation and creative collaboration. For 15+ years I have worked with youth (toddlers to teenagers) teaching fine arts, circus skills, movement theater, and mask & puppetry theater. I have taught in a variety of settings: schools, theaters, and art centers in the US and Latin America as well as an arts summer camp that I directed for seven years in Portland, OR.
I am available to teach individual or group lessons for a one-time workshop or an ongoing class series. I can teach private lessons for homeschoolers and birthday parties or contract with arts centers, schools, and summer camps to teach workshops. Workshops can be entirely skills-focused or build towards a final performance or installation.
Arts for Learning Northwest roster
Arts for Learning Northwest, formerly Young Audiences, connects youth with diverse arts experiences in schools in Oregon and SW Washington by curating a roster of professional teaching artists. Check out the school residency programs I offer:
Private classes and workshops
In addition to programming through the schools, I offer classes and workshops designed for your party, homeschool group, summer camp, etc. Here are some of the types of art projects I offer:
Puppetry and mask making
Drawing and painting
Mural and stage set painting
Collage and printmaking
Shadow puppetry and paper cutting
Collaborative performance creation
Banner for stage set painted by campers in Summer Art Camp for Girls. Portland, OR
Students at Springwater Environmental School summer program painting mural. Oregon City, OR
Students at Springwater Environmental School summer program painting mural. Oregon City, OR
Students at Springwater Environmental School summer program painting mural. Oregon City, OR
Participants of Betties360 summer program for female & nonbinary youth, tie dye class. Portland, OR
Participants of Betties360 summer program for female & nonbinary youth, tie dye class. Portland, OR
Participants of Betties360 summer program for female & nonbinary youth, abstract painting class. Portland, OR
Participants of Betties360 school program for female & nonbinary youth, painting from nature class. Portland, OR
Participants of Betties360 school program for female & nonbinary youth, painting with home made oak gall dye class. Portland, OR
Students in private Spanish/art class illustrating directions in Spanish with chalk. Portland, OR
Students in La Cambalacha Art Center program, self-portrait class. Guatemala
Co-teacher and student in La Cambalacha Art Center program, mask-making class. Guatemala
Students in La Cambalacha Art Center program, abstract painting class. Guatemala
Students in La Cambalacha Art Center program, mandala class. Guatemala
Students in La Cambalacha Art Center program, figure drawing class. Guatemala
Teaching trapeze class at La Cambalacha Art Center program. Guatemala
With students in La Cambalacha Art Center program, acrobatics class. Guatemala
“Arcadia has been a gifted enchanter of children for many years! I have known her work with kids of all ages in numerous different settings—she is thoughtful, playful and engaging. She also brings with her a wealth of cross cultural experience that enriches all of her teaching.”
— Sue Kass, parent of camper at Summer Arts Camp for Girls
“Arcadia is kind, knowledgeable and professional, yet fun! She works with all ages and tailors instruction to individual learning style, interest and pace. Highly recommended!”
— Sarah Reppenhagen, parent of private lesson students