Heights Arts is offering everything from art classes for kids and for adults to special artist-in-residence programs and lively performance events, all in a vibrant studio environment where the walls are hung with works in progress and there's always something new to see and do at the Studio.
For class fees see the registration form . Teens and Children may be eligible for a reduced class fee thanks to our community development block grant. Please check here.
All classes take place at Heights Arts Studio, 2340 Lee Rd, across the bridge from the Main Library in Cleveland Heights.
Questions about registration: email register@heightsarts.org or call 216-371-3457
Adults age 16 and up
Watercolor Painting
with Robert Raack
Sundays 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
April 6 – May 18 (no class May 11)
Supply list: click here.
Subjects to be painted from life will include still life, botanical subjects and the human figure (no photographs). A brief 20 to 25-minute demonstration each class will introduce students to the important issues related to visual perception, composition, handling of the paint, and color mixing. Students will be encouraged to work in a spontaneous, painterly manner. The primary emphasis will be on understanding paint as a constructive medium and thinking of color as a means of establishing visual relationships, with particular attention to how colors can convey a sense of light and space.
Age 13 - 18
Art Explorations
with Marty Young
Mondays 4 pm - 6 pm
April 7 – May 12
Materials provided
Using a variety of materials and techniques, we will explore drawing, painting, and design. Introduction to works by old masters and contemporary artists will help students develop an eye for color and composition. Course is designed to enhance the artistic development of every student, beginner to advanced.
Ages 7 - 14
Fiber Art Exploration
with Kris Barnes
Saturdays 10 am - noon
April 5 – May 17 (no class April 12)
Materials provided
Explore different areas of fiber arts: handmade recycled paper, random-weave bird houses, baskets, collage and more. This class is a great opportunity to try new art media and explore fiber arts.
K-6th GRADE
Paper Transformation
with Amy Fishbach
Tuesdays 4 pm – 6 pm
April 8 – May 13
Materials provided
Explore exciting ways to use paper both two and three dimensionally. We begin by developing a series of one-of-a-kind prints and expressionistic paintings. Then using color copies of these artworks we will create a variety of unique handmade book structures.
K-6th GRADE
Spirals, Kites and Sunshine
with Erika Anderson
Wednesdays 4 pm - 6 pm
April 9 - May 14
Materials provided
Welcome spring and summer by exploring new techniques and trying out new materials. Make kites and other projects as we gear up for summer!
All Ages: Age 10 - Adult
Artist Books: Form, Function, and Beyond
with Bonné de Blas
Saturdays 2 - 4:30 pm
April 5 - May 17 (no class April 12)
Supply list: click here.
Learn to make your own artist books and let loose your imagination and creativity. We will focus on a solid foundation in various classic and innovative structures such as concertina, tunnel, meander, flag, and pamphlet formats. Class assignments will stimulate our thinking about color, shape, text, and imagery. Expect to go home from each class with models and hand-outs for each technique. You'll leave this class with numerous ideas--and books! No previous experience in the book arts is necessary.
All Ages: Age 12 - Adult
What is art made of? ... Materials!
with Artemis Herber
Tuesdays 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
April 8 - May 13
Supply list: click here.
The artist can use all kind of materials!
Materials have different shapes, colors, structures and imprints…
They motivate and inspire us and capture our imagination…When you look into your drawers, closets, basement and garage you find things you have forgotten, accumulations of junk, rubbish, gimcrack, deadwood trumpery, souvenirs, all kind of things where you said: “I could still really use that!” even though you are not sure why you want to keep it or what to use it for.
In this class you will figure out that art is made up from all kinds of materials, and learn to combine materials in different ways. Very playfully we will experiment with basic aspects in art: working with contrasts, similarities, and combining emphases.
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District reflects its community's passion for the arts. In particular, the music program is noted for its excellence.
However, as in schools throughout the country the arts are often threatened by budget crunches. In Ohio, public schools are primarily funded by local property taxes. The schools do not obtain increases in this income without levies, which come to the voters every three years. When levies fail, the arts programs are at risk. Heights Arts's role is to continually advocate for the arts in the schools as well as connect our rich cultural institutions to the schools in appropriate programs which sometimes supplement curriculum, and sometimes provide art for arts’ sake .
Heights Arts’s belief in a prominent place for the arts in education is reinforced by a major study of the arts and education demonstrating that the arts increase academic achievement and community involvement in the schools.
The Annual Heights PTA Young Artists Exhibition is an annual spring showcase of art by students in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights public schools . More than 300 pieces of art are selected by the certified art teachers at each school, and installed by volunteers. The Board of Education, Teachers’ Union, and Heights Arts each award three $50 purchase awards.
The art was exhibited at Cleveland Heights City Hall from 2001-2006. In 2007, the show will move to Heights Arts’ gallery at the CH-UH Public Library.
This event is presented by HeightsArts, CH-UH PTAs, and the City of Cleveland HeightsTo see pictures of the exhibitions click on the pictures to the side.
The Mosaic Experience (ME) is one of 5 small schools at Cleveland Heights High School created through the Ohio High School Transformation project organized and funded through the KnowledgeWorks Foundation.
Heights Arts is The Mosaic Experience’s community partner, assisting in the mission to infuse a rigorous course of study with the arts and technology to develop life-long learners who use creative thinking to adapt to a challenging global society.
In ME’s inaugural school year of 2005-06, Heights Arts created two projects for the school:
- Artist-in-Residence funded by The Ohio Arts Council
Bill Wade, Jr., the founding director of Inlet Dance, was in residence the month of February in the Mosaic Performance Room. Thanks to Superintendent Delisle, this room was retrofitted with flooring appropriate for safe dancing. Wade’s company introduced themselves with an initial performance during the school day for Mosaic students. At the end of the residency, students performed with the company both during the school day and in an evening performance for the community. This group of students also performed with Inlet students from East Cleveland and Collinwood at a public matinee at Cleveland Public Theater in March. As a result of student enthusiasm for the dance residency, Mosaic has added a dance class to the curriculum next year. Additionally, Heights Arts has applied to the OAC for a second year of funding for the dance residency.
- Arts Integration Consultancy funded by The Ohio Arts Council
Arts integration specialist Cathy Culp Posner worked with English teacher Gary Swider to integrate the arts with three units of his ninth grade curriculum. Posner brought in actor Scott Plate, artist Alexis Thynne, and poet Dr. Mary Weems to work with Swider and his students. Students held a Poetry Coffeehouse as a culminating event for the poetry unit, and John Carroll English professor and noted poet George Bilgere recorded their poetry for his radio show Wordplay on WJCU 88.7. The result of this project will be a compendium of arts integrated lesson plans, and a teacher trained in arts integration. Posner and Swider presented their partnership at a professional development day, and additional teachers are interested in working with Posner next year if funding permits.
