SPring semester 2025 AFTER-SCHOOL
REGISter for classes
join THE STARDUST 24-25 space krewe!
LEARN about our upcoming journey:
THE THEME: From Fall 2024 to the end of Summer Camp 2025… Art Camp 504 is going to SPACE.
THE MISSION: The STARDUST 24-25 Space Crew is on an epic quest to launch Ziggy Stardust back to space in time for the Kings of Karnage Reunion Show. Help us free Planet Zanzibrax from IGRAC and their relentless interest rates once and for all!
YOUR ROLE: First we build the spaceship that will officially open with the January House Float “Launch Party.” Then our journey through the galaxy begins. This is more than an art class… Join our SPACE CREW! LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR JOURNEY
ABOUT AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES:
DATES: Classes run from January through May, meeting once a week for 90 minutes. Jan 11 - May 10
NO CLASS DATES: Jan 20, Feb 16, Feb 21-23, Feb 25 - March 9, April 14-27
WHERE: Most classes are located at the Tigermen Den in the Bywater. We offer D&D campaigns at Z’otz, Mojo Freret, Beanlandia and Go 4 Games
COST: $30 per 90 minute class, includes all art supplies. Payment plans, sliding scale and scholarships available
AGES: 5-14, classes vary by age
HOW TO REGISTER:
Scroll to the bottom of this page to view class list and descriptions. Click on the linked class names to register
You can select a monthly payment plan during the registration process. Reserve your spot with a $50 deposit
You can log into your online CourseStorm account to view your class registrations, past-due payments, update your payment method, and more.
Students must register in advance, we do not accept walk ins
VIRTUAL CLASSES:
Virtual classes meet once a week for 60 minutes, the cost is $25/class
Virtual classes have 3-4 students per class
SCHOLARSHIPS & SLIDING SCALE:
RISING ARTISTS PROGRAM: We provide up to full tuition scholarships for students based on merit and financial need. The largest scholarships are reserved for students with the most financial need. APPLY HERE
SLIDING SCALE: We offer discounts up to 25% for families that do not meet income requirements, but still need financial assistance in order to attend classes. Enter the discount code SLIDING10% or SLIDING25% at checkout to utilize this program.
CLICK TO VIEW REFUND AND BEHAVIOR POLICY
register for SPRING SEMESTER:
Scroll down to view class descriptions and teacher bios
MONDAY:
TUESDAY:
WEDNESDAY:
THURSDAY:
Dungeons & Dragons | Ages 9 - 13 | 5:30 - 7:00pm | Jan 16 - May 8 | 13 sessions | Beanlandia - Sasha
SATURDAY:
Dungeons & Dragons | Ages 8 - 12 | 2:45 - 4:15pm | Jan 11 - May 10 | 13 sessions | Go 4 Games - Dane
SUNDAY:
AFTER SCHOOL CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
Mixed Media Visual Arts Studio
This class is for students who want to build their visual art skills over a variety of mediums. Students will work with ArtCamp504 teachers over the course of the semester exploring illustration, painting fundamentals using acrylic and watercolor, mixed media collage, design using repurposed and recycled materials, and sculpting using polymer and air dry clays. Students receive weekly creative assignments to complete at home and bring in to share with the class. Our goal is to foster a love of art and creativity in our youngest campers! This is a small group class and we will take feedback from students, designing projects based around student interest.
MEET THE TEACHER:
LEAH DOOLING (she/her) is a local sculptor, painter, and digital artist. Find her work in various galleries and coffee shops around New Orleans. She has completed formal training under Pixar animators in 3d design and modeling, and has worked as a full time artist for the past 5 years. She is so excited to be with Art Camp 504 for a third semester teaching Visual Art Studio. Insects, amphibians, and gastropods are her main interests and points of study, and can be seen expressed in her artwork.
FINE ART DRAWING & PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
This class is for young artists who are interested in developing a portfolio and furthering skills in observational drawing. Students will begin with simple still lives and self portraits in black and white. We will begin with contour drawing and shading to successfully render form and eventually move on to colored pencil with a focus on color theory. Students will take home and draw in their own personal sketchbooks to develop a regular drawing practice. This class will aim to teach the patience and discipline it takes to start and finish a well rounded drawing. We work with each student to assist in documentation and help them gain confidence in their art skills. By the end of the semester students will have several completed pieces that they can use in their portfolio!
MEET THE TEACHER:
BLAIR PRICE (she/her) is a New Orleans native interior designer, freelance artist, and NOCCA alum. She earned her BA in Graphic Design from Loyola University New Orleans, before moving on to an AA in Interior Design, and Kitchen and Bath Design, at Delgado. She has spent the last decade cultivating her skills in the decorative arts, working under several notable designers and artists in the city, before opening her own residential design firm in 2020. Blair has also traveled twice to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to attend the Reggio Children's conference, where she observed children who were given the instruction that they needed to learn and discover holistically through art. She believes that students must be able to see themselves as unique contributors to our culture and society. Visit Blair’s website!
FILM club
In this class, students discover the art of filmmaking from its early beginnings to modern-day blockbusters. We will watch and analyze iconic film clips that have shaped the industry, from classic Hollywood movies to international cinema and contemporary indie films. Students will explore themes, character development, symbolism, and narrative structure, and use these insights to craft their own short films. Students may decide to work in groups or individually to craft their own video content. We will explore scriptwriting, storyboards, cinematography, production design, and acting. Students will work with a variety of digital media apps including Capcut, Procreate, Stop Motion Studio, Canva and more. Check out our students’ films on our YouTube Channel!
MEET THE TEACHER:
FINLEY JANES (he/they) is a filmmaker and musician and has been teaching creative filmmaking for 10 years. He is originally from Gloucester, Ma. Before he moved to New Orleans he was the Director of a film program for elementary school students called See-Hear-Feel-Film. He was lucky to be able to teach and make art with students in the program for four years! He makes both fiction and non-fiction movies but his favorite genre to make is fantasy! He lives in the Bywater with his gentle old dog, Mama, and a cat named Ding. He is currently making his first full-length movie!
Foundations of drawing
This introductory class is designed for young artists that want to explore and build their technical drawing skills. The structured curriculum explores fine art techniques such as line work, perspective, shading, and composition. Students will develop their observational skills and artistic vocabulary, from line and form to understanding light, shadow and color theory. We explore a variety of mediums including graphite, charcoal, oil pastels, watercolor paint and ink. With a focus on fostering creativity and confidence, this class provides a supportive environment where each child can discover their unique artistic voice and cultivate a lifelong passion for drawing. We introduce students to portfolio development by encouraging the practice of keeping a sketchbook. At the end of the semester, students will display their work in the “Earth Gallery Wall” inside our Spaceship House Float!
MEET THE TEACHER:
MICAYLA PRICE (she/her) is a native New Orleanian illustrator and printmaker. She is a NOCCA Visual Arts Alumni and Tulane Grad focused in drawing and relief printing. Her work is heavily influenced by the ever-evolving local coastal wetlands, and is an advocate for conservation and restoration. One of her current projects is a graphic novel set in an island chain of a Caribbean hue, that harbors countless oddities to explore. When she’s not filling up her sketchbook, you’d likely find her tending a garden of okra and citrus.
Imagination nation - creative writing & illustration
In this dynamic Creative Writing and Illustration class, young minds embark on an exhilarating journey of exploration and invention. Craft your very own planet, complete with unique cultures, landscapes, histories and ethos. The class culminates in a session akin to a Model UN, where students proudly showcase their planets, exchange ideas, vote, laugh and dream together. Ms. Jane leads the students through engaging writing exercises and lively discussions, helping students bring their planets to life. Students learn how to give and receive constructive feedback, communicate their ideas effectively, and build oral presentation skills. We are an inclusive community for wildly creative kids, where ideas pop like popcorn and participants cultivate lasting friendships with peers who share their passions. Join us as we embark on an adventure where every idea is valued, every story is celebrated, and every dream becomes a reality.
MEET THE TEACHER:
JANE TALTON (she/her) is a Bywater resident and neighbor of the Tigermen Den. Her imagery is loved by many and reflects much of what it means to live in the Bywater: a place where tongue and cheek humor, theatrics, fine art, rich patterns and fanciful creatures fit right in to the parlors, parades, unexpected pairings and imaginations of those who live here. Jane graduated from the Maryland Institute, College of Art in 1999 with a degree in Illustration. Jane has worked in many creative niches including; caricature art, book illustration, mural painting, portraiture and she has been a featured artist on the Travel Channel and ABC. Her work has shown in several New Orleans galleries as well as the CAC and Jazz and Heritage Museum. Although still a dedicated painter, she has fallen in love with teaching as it has allowed her to share a passion for art with young artists. Check out Jane’s work!
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Open to new and advanced players. Dungeons and Dragons presents endless possibilities and allows you to roleplay as a hero in your own story. Players work together as a team to decide how to respond to problems and solve them. D&D is not only fun-- it's a group social activity that teaches teamwork, cooperation, storytelling, problem-solving, and even math. D&D has become one of our most popular classes, we are so excited to introduce a new generation to this timeless and unique game!
MEET THE DUNGEON MASTERS:
SASHA RIVERA KRUGER (she/ her) is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature and a dual minor in Chinese and Asian Studies. Her journey with teaching began in 2008 when she embarked on a volunteering abroad program to teach English in Zhongshan, China. This shaped her understanding of the importance of inclusive communication, and drove her passion for helping her students embrace the challenges of honest self expression, no matter the language. Her love for collaborative storytelling brought her to the world of TableTop Role Playing games, what started as a desire to spend more time playing with her son has turned into an essential part of her career. When not running her own campaigns, she is preparing to attend various conventions where she runs D&D games and assists vending artists, most recently New York Comicon, Jordancon, Cyphacon, Pax Unplugged and Fanexpo New Orleans.
ADAM LEDET (he/him) is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology's Interactive Media and Game Design program with a bachelor's degree in Game Design and Development. He has professional experience in the video gaming industry as a Game Designer for companies including Second Avenue Learning, where he helped to publish a mobile game; Blizzard Entertainment, where he interned with Hearthstone's Mission Design team; and Noxcrew, where he aided in the design and development of the Minecraft server "MCC Island." Adam is happy to be in his third year participating with Art Camp 504. Adam is a pianist, singer, and thespian who loves to evoke emotions in others through his crafts. Adam's love for Dungeons and Dragons has colored his life, and he is excited to guide new players through the TableTop Role-Playing experience! For more information on Adam, you can visit his Linkedin profile or his website.
DANE SCHINDLER (he/him) is a native New Orleanian with over a decade of experience as an Adapted Physical Education (A.P.E.) teacher, and over two decades as a seasoned musician. He has dedicated his career to helping students of all abilities thrive through movement and play. He has performed with many stage bands and marching bands across the New Orleans' music scene, and has gone on tours across the country and even abroad. As a lover of games and being creative, Dane particularly enjoys the collaborative and imaginative aspects of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. He is passionate about fostering a welcoming space for shared gameplay, where creativity and camaraderie can flourish. The sense of belonging and connection that games create among friends is what it’s all about!
MALCOLM PATTERSON (he/they) is a youth advocate from sunny California! He’s worked with ages ranging from infants to those that like to reminisce on simpler times; in both Dungeons and Dragons AND his day to day career in patient care at the Center for Resilience. He encourages creativity and prides himself on providing a space that feels safe and challenging to those that want and deserve it! His history in theatre and love for comics, anime, and other tabletop mediums allows for a fluid and out-of-box approach to adventures that gives everyone at his tables an opportunity to learn, play, or both!
VIRTUAL - INTRO TO PROCREATE, DIGITAL DRAWING
SUNDAYS: Ages 8 - 12, 10:00 - 11:00am, Virtual on Google Meet
Are you ready to dive into the world of digital art and unleash your creativity? Join us for an exciting and fun-filled Procreate Class led by the talented artist Akshita Monga. This class is designed especially for young learners who are eager to explore the endless possibilities of creating art on their iPads. Procreate is a powerful and user-friendly digital drawing app available on the iPad. It offers a wide range of tools and features that allow artists of all levels to create stunning artworks, from simple sketches to detailed illustrations. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this class will help you enhance your skills and unlock your creative potential. We can't wait to see what amazing artworks are created with Procreate!
What Will You Learn?
Getting Started: Introduction to the Procreate interface and basic tools.
Drawing Basics: How to use brushes, colors, and layers.
Creating Your First Artwork: Step-by-step guidance to complete your first digital masterpiece.
Advanced Techniques: Tips and tricks for adding depth, texture, and special effects.
Project Showcase: Share your creations and receive feedback from Akshita and your peers.
Why Join This Class?
Interactive Learning: Engage in live demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and interactive exercises.
Creative Freedom: Explore different styles and techniques to find your unique artistic voice.
Supportive Community: Connect with fellow young artists and be inspired by each other's work.
Expert Guidance: Learn from a professional artist who understands how to nurture young talent.
Materials Needed: iPad with Procreate installed, Apple Pencil or a stylus, Enthusiasm and imagination!
About Your Instructor: Akshita Monga
Akshita Monga is a distinguished artist with over a decade of experience in creating captivating works of art across various mediums, including oil, charcoal, and digital art. A graduate of the renowned Barcelona Academy of Art, Akshita has honed her skills and developed a unique artistic voice that resonates through her diverse portfolio. Her education at the Barcelona Academy of Art, known for its classical training and emphasis on technical excellence, provided her with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of drawing and painting. This background is evident in the meticulous attention to detail and refined craftsmanship that characterize her work. Akshita’s artistry spans a broad spectrum of subjects, from evocative still life compositions to dynamic figurative pieces and innovative digital creations. In her charcoal works, Akshita excels in creating depth and contrast, bringing her subjects to life with striking realism and emotional intensity. Her digital art showcases her versatility and adaptability, merging traditional techniques with contemporary technology to produce visually stunning and conceptually intriguing pieces. Visit Akshita’s website!
