Whether drawing stick figures with Crayons or molding sculptures out of clay, art is a childhood staple. Kids of all ages thrive when given the opportunity to create, and it’s also crucial for their development. While children are having fun making a painting to display on the fridge, art is helping them develop motor and spatial skills, language development, critical thinking skills and cultural awareness. Art is more than a luxury or an extra—it’s vital!

In the past few years, more and more art spaces for children are popping up in our very own community, and kids are reaping the benefits! Elida Field, an artist and studio owner, says, “Art is for everybody, and the more spaces we have for people to try it, the better.” Every creative space is going to offer something a little different, so try them out and see what works best for your kids. Who knows? You might end up enjoying it just as much as they do!

Art Spaces in Vancouver: Medallion Art School

Walk into Medallion Art School and you will be busy trying to take it all in. The walls have been filling with gorgeous art from instructors and students alike since Judi and Bob Whiting opened the doors in 1993. While the Whitings are semi-retired, the studio still sees over 375 fine art students every week. “We like our slogan, ‘Art lessons are the gift that lasts a lifetime,’” says Bob Whiting, “because they really are a gift that keeps on giving back.”

The studio offers classes for students of all ages. “We let people enroll at ages six through 96 but we’ll consider 97,” jokes Whiting. Beginning artists start with drawing fundamentals and then can progress to pastels, oil, acrylic and watercolor painting. Classes are purchased four at a time, and all students are taught individually with everyone working on their own project at their own speed.

“A lot of kids are shy and intimidated when they start, but after a couple of sessions they are jumping out of the car, anxious to get to class,” says Whiting. One standout element is the wall of photographs with students and their progression of projects, showing their incredible evolution. “The goal is to push students within reason to become good artists,” he says. “It excites them to have goals.”

The school’s popularity means many of the classes are full, but there are a few spots available, and you can always be added to a waitlist. Learn more about Medallion Art School at medallionart.com.

Art Spaces in Vancouver: The Learning Garage

Mia Choi opened The Learning Garage in November of 2024 after seeing her own children’s need for creative outlets during the pandemic. Choi, who moved to the U.S. from Korea in 2017, then to Vancouver in 2021, says there is no concept of a garage in Korea. To her, garages represented the American dream as a space for projects, tinkering and innovation. “I want kids to have the tools and skills to develop their ideas,” Choi says. “The goal is for them to be creative and tinker!”

The Learning Garage has various stations set up for kids to create whatever their hearts desire. “We have paints, all sorts of craft supplies, cardboard and recycled items,” says Choi, and she adds that this is a space for kids to get messy! Artists can stop by any time for open studio sessions called Creative Jams, and they can also say hello to the real bearded dragon named Wrench.

In addition to open studio times, the Learning Garage also offers birthday parties and project-based classes to hone drawing and painting skills. But the studio is not limited to children. The most rewarding part of the job for Choi? “I love watching the process of parents and their kids creating together,” she says. “It’s the most fulfilling part!”

Bring your kids to explore and tinker and learn more about The Learning Garage at the-learning-garage.com.

Art Spaces in Vancouver: Live Laugh Love Art

George and Joanna Merkl always dreamed of opening a do-it-yourself art center, and when an opportunity presented itself in 2020, they took the chance. “The first year was stark and scary,” says George, recalling how they survived mostly on selling art to-go kits and virtual classes. Luckily, Live Laugh Love Art Studio on the east side of Vancouver came back strong in 2021 and has been flourishing ever since. Both creative types, the Merkls wanted to offer a space with lots of variety and choices so people would enjoy coming back.

Always open to new ideas, the studio currently has eight offerings, five of which are drop-in and suitable for most ages. Families can choose to drop in for pottery painting, mosaic art, glass fusing, canvas painting and wood sign painting. Scheduled workshops include glass blowing for kids and adults ages 5 and up, candle making and paint pouring.

Intent on keeping the space fresh, George says, “We have lots of ideas and are always in conversation.” They’re hoping to offer more unique art techniques in the future, but for now they are enjoying seeing families thrive. “We sell smiles,” he says. “We’ve created a place that’s unique and we get to share our joy. It’s our happy place for sure.”

In addition to studio time and workshops, Live Laugh Love Art also hosts theme nights, birthday parties and summer camps for kids to try all the activities. To learn more visit livelaughloveart.com/vancouver.

Art Spaces in Vancouver: Kilnfolk

When Faith Odman opened Kilnfolk three years ago, she wanted a family friendly space for people to gather and share their love of art and pottery. Located in Downtown Vancouver, Kilnfolk is a hub that’s both welcoming and beautiful, designed for beginners and seasoned potters alike. “Our instructors are super encouraging,” says marketing director, McKenna Olson. “We’re here to celebrate the little wins.”

Pottery painting is one of the most popular activities for kids and families at Kilnfolk, but there are also plenty of opportunities to learn new skills. Every Sunday is a family wheel class for kids ages 8 and up to make a project on the pottery wheel and have it glazed. For younger children, parents can sign them up for toddler clay, a class full of clay, stamps, rollers and more for sensory play. “When my daughter gets to play with the clay here, she just dials in and it’s such a unique experience,” says Olson.

Kilnfolk offers plenty of workshops which can potentially accommodate kids, so just ask! This summer, they are offering several three-day summer camps, for three hours each, for kids to create multiple projects. If art at home is more your style, they sell a variety of take-home art kits and books as well. Manager Kate Pitts adds, “It’s such a peaceful and creative space here, and it’s really a chance to disconnect from screens and responsibilities.”

To sign up for a class, summer camp or to learn more, head to Kilnfolk’s website at kilnfolkclay.com.

Art Spaces in Vancouver: Portside Pottery

Portside Pottery is set to open its doors this month, and studio manager Eric Matulich is excited for the studio to grow into something special. “It’s been really fun,” he says. “I feel like it’s a place that will be a great landing spot for all potters who want to be part of the growing potter community,” says Matulich.

A potter since high school, Matulich wants to offer a spot for adults and kids alike to experiment and develop a hobby or prepare for studying or professional pursuits. The studio will offer memberships, classes and workshops for kids, teens and families. The weekends will feature a wheel-throwing class for families where kids age 8 and up can learn alongside their parents. “It’s really cool for a kid to see their parents learning,” says Matulich.

Looking toward the summer, high school students will be able to purchase a flat-rate summer pass to make use of the studio anytime Monday through Friday, and plenty of summer camps will be available for kids to work on new and exciting projects. Matulich designed the space with plenty of creature comforts like refrigerators, coffee makers and laundry equipment to create a hang-out space perfect for community building.

Head to portsidepottery.com to learn more or check out their grand opening on May 10 from 4-7 pm. Portside Potter is located on the far west side of Vancouver at 2121 St. Francis Lane.

Art Spaces in Vancouver: Drip Drop Art Studio

“Let’s try and see what happens” has been Katie Wright’s mantra as she opened the popular Drip Drop Art Studio across the street from Esther Short Park. With a background degree in art education, Wright was a graphic designer but says she has always had a heart for teaching kids. Craving art options for her children but seeing most studios were across the river, Wright wanted a space in Vancouver for kids of all ages to stretch their creativity and express themselves. “Come be messy here!” says Wright.

Drip Drop Studio offers a wide variety of experiences for all ages from sensory art classes for infants and toddlers to monthly creative nights for tweens. Tween nights can look like making anything from room banners and canvas paintings to mini magnets. “We don’t focus on a specific medium,” says Wright, who says there are opportunities for all types of art ranging from drawing and painting to sewing and paper mâché.

With constant requests for new classes and classes geared toward teens, Wright is open to expanding and providing quality art education to all. “I wanted to bridge the gap between what kids might learn at home and school and what they might learn in a fine art school,” says Wright.

Classes and camps fill up fast, so learn more and reserve a spot at dripdropartstudio.com.

Art Spaces in Vancouver: Elida Art Studio

Elida Field has three main principles for her art studio and classes: nobody dies in art class, there are no mistakes in art, and have fun! “I’m screaming from the top of the hilltops that art is important for everyone,” says Field. “It’s transformative and allows the mind to reset and stop worrying about making mistakes,” she adds.

Several decades ago, Field had an art degree and three young children to take care of, so she started after-school art programs in a minivan she called “Art Van-Go.” The after-school programs and her own art career evolved, and she opened Elida Art Studios in Camas in 2009 and has been going strong ever since.

One of the main ways she connects kids to art is through community education programs in the Camas and Ridgefield school districts. Her programs, Art Van-Go Just Drawing and Art Van-Go just Paints, meet weekly at a few local elementary schools and are open to all elementary students in Clark County. “Kids who engage in art are much more willing to take risks and have an open and empathetic approach to life,” says Field.

Middle and high school students can take weekly classes in her studio to hone their skills and participate in an annual teen art show celebrating their work. Summer camps are also incredibly popular and allow students to create numerous projects across multiple modes of art. Field says, “I have the same philosophy whether you’re in kindergarten or 85; everyone can rise to the occasion!”

To sign up for camps, online or in person classes and learn more, visit elidaart.com.

Feature photo at top by Jen Fowler of Arrows Photography.

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