Homeschool Art Lab: Foundations in 2D/3D Through Drawing & Ceramics - Royal Oak

Program Overview (price shows a drop-in class; for full-course tuition packages, see drop-downs at checkout

The Homeschool Art Lab is designed as a true, formal art class for young artists. Think of it as a mini fine art school day each week—not just craft time. Students explore the fundamentals of 2D and 3D design, observational drawing, expressive media, painting, and clay construction in a professional working studio environment.

What makes this program uniquely powerful is our signature Guided Assembly approach. Rather than overwhelming beginners with every step of throwing on the wheel, the instructor prepares hand-thrown porcelain forms in advance. Students then learn to design and construct on those starter pieces using traditional clay techniques. This method allows children to create refined, portfolio-quality ceramic artwork while still mastering real skills like pinching, coiling, slab building, carving, and professional surface decoration. Only much more exciting with more instant gratification.

What Students Learn

Over the course of the semester, participants build confidence and competence across multiple art disciplines. Each Friday includes a sketchbook warm-up, direct instruction, hands-on practice, and a friendly critique circle. Families can expect their child to develop:

• Understanding of 2D design (flat composition, balance, contrast, repetition)

• Understanding of 3D design (form, volume, mass, gravity, stability)

• Drawing principles including contour, gesture, proportion, and line weight

• Exploration of alternative drawing mediums such as conte, charcoal, and ink

• Painting fundamentals (color mixing, temperature, composition)

• A deep unit on ceramics where 2D drawing is applied directly to 3D clay surfaces using bisque pencils on bisque-fired pieces

Special Conceptual Focus

This program also includes meaning-based projects inspired by real university-level art practices—translated gently for kids. Students investigate personal identity and place through bio-geography and biomapping projects, learning how movement, memory, and emotion can be mapped visually.

A highlight of the curriculum is a Neighborhood Biomapping Field Trip, where students create maps based on their travels around downtown Royal Oak and the surrounding area. With parent accompaniment when possible—or with signed permission slips when not—children take observational walks, track experiences (sounds, feelings, pauses, routes), and translate those discoveries into final artworks back in the studio.

Ceramic Process & Take-Home Work

Because ceramics requires careful drying and kiln schedules, drawings, and firings, finished clay projects are typically ready for pickup 1–2 weeks after completion. Parents should plan for regular art retrieval as part of the rhythm of the course. All standard materials, glazes, and firings are included in tuition.

Practical Details

• Ages: 5–16 (children up to 8 must be accompanied by parent on any field trips)

• Format: Drop-off studio class

• Length: 12-week semester or 4-week monthly memberships

• Capacity: Limited to 18 students max for individualized attention

• Safety: Students receive clear instruction on glaze safety, tool handling, and kiln-room boundaries.

Tuition Options

• Full Semester (12 Fridays): $720

• Half Semester (6 Fridays): $360

• Drop-In: $85

• Sibling Discount: 10% off additional enrolled siblings

Why Choose This Program

We are not run by business people—we are led by an actual professional artist and certified art educator with a BFA in Ceramics from the College for Creative Studies, an MA in Art Education from the University of Florida and decades of experience teaching all ages. The curriculum balances playful creativity with fine-art boutique rigor, giving homeschool students the rare opportunity to experience real materials, real critique, and real artistic growth in Royal Oak.