Middle School Art Club
Imagine your middle schooler immersed in creativity, leading the way with their imagination. In this class, they’ll create unique collages, paintings, drawings, and cardboard art, all guided by an experienced teacher. Every project is open-ended, so their work will always be one-of-a-kind.
Projects progress at your child's pace, allowing their creativity to flourish week by week.
Enroll today! – it’s simple, easy, and convenient!
Our Middle School club follows a choice-based, open-ended format, allowing students to select from various materials to create artwork that is meaningful and unique to them.
Each session lasts for 8 weeks, but keep in mind that the schedule may skip certain weeks due to holidays or Stafford County Public School (SCPS) closures. Please check the calendar for the exact dates. If SCPS is closed during the day, evening classes will be canceled—but don't worry! Drop-Off Creative Play may be available during the day to keep your child inspired. Classes are paused for major holidays and snow days to keep things simple for families.
Cost $168 (only $21 per hour)
Prices are prorated if you start after the first day of the session.
Drop in is $26 a class, if room is available.
All supplies are included
Image: Tornado
Session III Schedule:
Wednesday 5-6 pm
New Class: Canvas Painting
On the last Saturday of each month, kids in 1st–8th grade can enjoy painting an 8x8 or 8x10 canvas with fun, creative themes! Templates and step-by-step guidance are provided, but each artist is encouraged to make it their own.Dates & Themes:
✨ Jan 25: Snowflakes, snowpeople, and winter magic
✨ Feb 22: Hearts, love, and best friends
✨ Apr 26: Spring trees, flowers, and bugs
⏰ Time: 10:30–11:30 AM
$ Cost: $26 each or $75 for all 3.
No class in March due to SCPS spring break.
Sign up today—spaces fill fast!
10 Reasons to Enroll Your Child in Our Middle School Art Club:
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Creative Freedom – Your child can choose their own subject matter, giving them the chance to explore personal interests.
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Social Experience – It’s more than just art—it’s about making new friends and building connections with peers.
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Stress-Free Environment – A relaxed space where kids can unwind and enjoy art without pressure or grades.
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Collaboration Opportunities – Kids can share ideas, work together, and inspire each other’s creativity.
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Boosts Confidence – Presenting their work to peers helps build self-esteem and encourages self-expression.
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Exploration of New Techniques – Kids can experiment with different materials and techniques in a supportive setting.
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Supportive Community – Everyone is welcome, and the focus is on encouraging each other rather than competing.
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Develops Communication Skills – Sharing ideas and collaborating on art projects improves communication and teamwork.
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Experienced Art Teachers – Teachers guide students without taking over, helping them develop their skills at their own pace.
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Fun and Engaging – It’s a fun way for kids to be creative, make friends, and look forward to something new each week!
Image: Heron Observational Drawing (from book)
What Our Middle Schoolers Have to Say
FAQs
What is choice-based art?
At Art Cart Kids, choice-based art is all about your child taking the lead. Since every child is different, every piece of art they create is one-of-a-kind. No more "cookie-cutter" projects like they may experience at school. Here, there’s no wrong way to make art.This approach gives your child the confidence to use their imagination, which in turn fosters:
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Decision-making
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Language and communication skills
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Independent thinking
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Physical development (fine and gross motor skills)
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Problem-solving
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Social and emotional growth
It’s all about empowering kids to explore, create, and grow!
What are the choices?
At Art Cart Kids, your child will have so many creative choices! Here’s a glimpse of what they can explore:
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Drawing & Coloring: They can choose from pencils, pens, crayons, oil pastels, chalk pastels, watercolor, and tempera paint.
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Surfaces to Create On: They’ll have options like 76lb. construction paper (in a variety of colors), card stock, 90lb. watercolor paper, and recycled cardboard.
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Building Materials: From recycled items like boxes, paper towel rolls, bottles, and lids to craft sticks, pipe cleaners, and straws, they can build whatever they imagine.
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Decorations: They can add sparkle and texture with glitter, sequins, stickers, stamps, pompoms, felt, fabric, yarn, beads, greeting cards, magazines, or even natural items like leaves and pinecones.
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Adhesives: They'll experiment with different adhesives like a “cool” glue gun, tape, glue sticks, liquid glue, brads, rings, and Mod Podge to bring their project together.
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It’s all about giving them the freedom to choose and create something truly their own!
What if my child doesn't have an idea?
Here are 5 ways Art Cart Kids encourages students to be imaginative:
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Open-ended projects: Students choose their own materials and themes, allowing their creativity to guide the process without limitations.
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Experimenting with materials: From paints to recycled items, children explore a variety of mediums, discovering new ways to express their ideas.
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Creative problem-solving: When challenges arise, students are encouraged to think outside the box and find unique solutions in their art.
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Inspiration from the world around them: The studio provides famous artwork, nature, and everyday objects to spark new ideas and imaginative thinking.
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Freedom to explore: No strict rules or step-by-step instructions—kids are free to follow their curiosity and see where it takes them.
Can't my child do this at home?
Absolutely!
But at Art Cart Kids, all the supplies are already bought and ready to go, so you don’t have to worry about shopping or spending extra money.
Your child will also have the guidance of an experienced art teacher to help them through their creative process.
And the best part? Except for your child putting away their own supplies, we handle all the cleanup! No need to wash paintbrushes, water cups, or paint towels. You won’t be vacuuming glitter and sequins (again and again!) or scrubbing paint off the floors, walls, and windows.
We’ve got it all covered!