2021 Arts in Service Spring Classes are offered in two sessions. Class registration is open until class is sold out. Class registration will close after first day of class

• Registration for first term (Jan - Mar) 
• Registration for second term ( Mar- May)

HOW TO REGISTER:

Arts in Service Classes (for service-member and veterans only):

Arts in Service classes are only for veterans or service members of the United States Armed Forces. Students will be asked to present their DD214 the first day of class or may present their Driver's License with the VETERAN designation.

Class registration is available online or over-the-phone!  Class size is limited, we recommend registering early.  No prior arts experience is necessary for participants. 

ONLINE:

• Search the virtual online class catalogue to select preferred class. https://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/classes
• Select Step 1 Adult
• Select Step 2 Class
• Select Step 3 Arts in Service
• Select REGISTER option when ready 
• Verify you have selected the correct class in the Class Information page and choose the SELECT option
• Under Pricing enter 1 
• Under Section enter Class Registration and continue
• Check out when ready
• If this is the first time purchasing through box office you may need to create a new account associated to your email.
• Receipts will be emailed to you to confirm your enrollment.

 OVER THE PHONE:

• Search the virtual online class catalogue to select preferred class. https://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/classes
• Select Step 1 Adult
• Select Step 2 Class
• Select Step 3 Arts in Service
• Box Office Registration Phone : 480-644-6500
• Receipts will be emailed to you to confirm your enrollment. 

REGISTRATIONS / CANCELLATIONS / WAIT LISTS:

Registration for all classes is accepted on first-come, first-serve basis. If your class is filled or cancelled, you will be notified. Your instructor may reach out to you before class start via email.  If your class is filled, you can ask to be placed on a wait list. If any openings become available, classes will be filled from the wait list. 

If you are unable to attend your class, please contact the Box Office or Studios department so that we may give your seat to another service-member, veteran or spouse.

Hours of Operation: Tues - Friday: 12pm - 5pm, Sat - Mon: CLOSED.

Box Office Phone: 480-644-6500 

POLICIES + GUIDELINES

GUIDELINES:

Thanks to generous support from The Boeing Company and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Mesa Arts Center is pleased to present Arts in Service.  The program is offered completely free of charge to any service-member and veteran and all class materials are provided.  No prior arts experience is necessary for participants

Service Member / Veteran

This program requires us to verify proof of military service.  The purpose of collecting this information is to help ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and funds are being used appropriately. In order to monitor our compliance we need to ask you to provide  us with a Driver's license (if the VETERAN status is printed on your license) or DD214. We do not store or retain any documents and will delete any images or documents once service is verified.  

Military Spouse/Partner Programming:

Specialty military spouse workshops will be coming soon Summer of 2021! For veterans, service-members with their spouse or military spouses only. 

These workshops are for military spouses only (life partner/committed partner/domestic partner also included).

REGISTRATIONS / CANCELLATIONS / WAIT LISTS:

Registration for all classes is accepted on first-come, first-serve basis. If your class is filled or cancelled, you will be notified. Your instructor may reach out to you before class start via email. If your class is filled, you can ask to be placed on a wait list. If any openings become available, classes will be filled from the wait list. 

If you are unable to attend your class, please contact the Box Office or Studios department so that we may give your seat to another service-member, veteran or spouse.

Online: Arts in Service Clay in the Garden:  In this course students will learn to simple handbuilding techniques to make objects for the garden. Over the course of this four week class students will complete four projects: a planter, a wind chime, Garden stakes and sculptural Metapec Sun. Students will learn slab building, pinch pots, slip application and basic sgraffitto carving techniques. At the end of this four week course students will need to make appointments with the instructor to bring artwork back to the ceramics studio for firing, included with the cost of the class. All materials will be provided. Zoom calls on Thursdays, videos are available online Tuesdays at 10am via the link provided.  

Glass Flameworking: Service Members Learn to manipulate molten glass with a torch to make cosmic marbles and hollow form pendants, ornaments and objects. Intermediate to advanced demos will challenge continuing students. Students will also have the opportunity to work with instructors in fusing, marbles and glass beadmaking.

Blacksmithing: Learn the basics of Blacksmithing while making functional objects for the home such as handles and hooks.

The Science & Art of Photography: A four week introduction to the first camera. Learn the processes the first photographers used as you retrace their pioneering steps in time.

Intro to Clay: Students will learn the basics of working with clay, including coil building, slabs, pinch pots, creating texture on clay, and adding design detail. Students will have a weekly demo and then create their own personal pieces. Students will learn about glaze application and choose their own color and glaze design. Students will have a brief opportunity to learn and try out the pottery wheel. Individual creativity encouraged in this fun class. 

Welding: Learn to bend, shape, cut weld and finish steel to make decorative objects and art for you home or yard. Learn Oxy/Acetylene and Mig welding, Plasma Cutting, shearing, rolling, grinding and other shop processes to manipulate and finish steel work.

Jewelry: In this weekly class, students will learn the fundamentals of jewelry and metalsmithing skills.  A variety of techniques will be covered and students will work directly with the instructor throughout the course.  Students will learn to file, sand, texture, form, saw/pierce, rivet, solder, bezel set, polish and more.  Students can expect to complete 3-4 projects during this class.  

Printmaking: No experience necessary for this class that will cover beginning to advanced techniques in several processes: monotype, dry point, relief printing and collagraph. You will be encouraged to try them all but can focus on any one if so desired. All materials provided!

Playwriting: Join us for this 8 week session that explores the foundations of playwriting. Participants can expect discussions on storytelling, in-class writing activities, tips for getting ideas onto the page, and strategies for rewriting. The class will culminate in a public reading of the participants’ works. No prior experience in playwriting is necessary for this class. Those with prior experience will find new opportunities to strengthen their writing.

Bellydance: Classes will cover basic moves, style concept, posture, and body awareness. Students will learn a choreographed dance. Dress: wear something comfortable; bare feet or dance shoes.

Watercolor : Learn watercolor basics such as appropriate watercolor materials and tools, ways for organizing your palette, color, composition and painting theory, and more. You will become familiar with traditional transparent watercolor techniques like painting wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry, learn how to paint 'mud-free', and add texture and color variation using salts, and other materials. The instructor will give you comprehensive, personalized tips and advice to make your painting technique more effective and efficient. Students responsible for purchasing materials, please contact instructor for supply list.

ONLINE: Arts in Service Watercolor : The Basic Watercolor is designed for the beginning student interested in watercolor. It is a course developed to allow students to learn and explore basic watercolor techniques and elements of design. All materials will be provided. Zoom calls on Tuesdays at 2pm, videos are available online Fridays at 10am via the link provided. 15 spot limit.

Military Spouse / Partner Workshops:

Flame-Working Borosilicate Spouse Workshop: Stir Sticks and Straws: One day workshop, Service Members and a spouse learn to manipulate molten glass with a torch to make their own stir stick and drinking straw.

Glass Flower Spouse Workshop: One day Service member and spouse learn to make the traditional pulled Italian flower, no experience required. You will make 3 to 4 flowers in class and the flowers will  be available for pickup the next day.  Bring drinking water.  Appropriate clothing required – natural fiber fabrics (cotton, silk, linen, wool), leather closed toe shoes.  No decals  on shirts.  Note: this class is held in a shaded, outdoor area with hot equipment.  The heat may not be appropriate for some students.  Please make sure our registrar has your email address for contact by instructor prior to class.

Mesa Arts Center slates special program for veterans, East Valley Tribune

Mesa Arts Center's Arts in Service Program receives $129k in funding, FRONTDOORS Magazine  

Art classes being used as a stress-reliever for veterans and active service members, 12News

Mesa Arts Center offering free art classes to veterans as part of Arts in Service program, FOX10. 

Veterans Arts in Service program, Arizona PBS

Arts in Service exhibition at Mesa Arts Center, ABC 15