Arts in Service Engagement

Connect & build community

Arts in Service

Thanks to generous support from The Boeing Company and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community and AZ Department of Veteran Services Mesa Arts Center is pleased to present Arts in Service, which provides creative pathways for veterans and service members to use studio arts experiences in reaching their personal goals, whether those are finding a supportive community, stress relief, working toward overall health and wellness, or pursuing career interests in art-making.

Mesa Arts Center has reopened its Art Studios with robust safety protocols.

Follow the link for details and what you need to know before you visit.

➡️ mesaartscenter.com/publichealthandsafety

Fall Semester Classes Registration

➡️ Click Here to Register : Military Spouse Workshops & Veteran/Service Member Fall Classes

Registration for Arts in Service classes is accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Classes fill up fast! To ask to be placed on a waitlist, email our registration team at boxoffice@mesaartscenter.com or call 480-644-6500.

Fall 2021 Semester
AIS Introduction to Glass Fusing AIS Explorations in Fused Glass	6 WEEKS 2 WEEKS
Arts in Service Welding	8 WEEKS
Arts in Service Jewelry & Lapidary Basics	7 WEEKS
Arts in Service Printmaking	7 WEEKS
Arts In Service: Beginning Handbuilding Arts In Service: Intermediate-Advanced Handbuilding	7 WEEKS 8 WEEKS
AIS Flame-Working: Soda Lime	7 WEEKS
AIS Beginning/Intermediate Jewelry	7 WEEKS
Art in Service Beginning Glass Blowing	6 WEEKS
Blacksmithing: Arts in Service	7 WEEKS
AIS Flame-Working Borosilicate Spouse Workshop: Stir Sticks and Straws	7 WEEKS 7 WEEKS
AIS Flame-Working: Borosilicate AIS Spouse Workshop: Image Transfers in Fused Glass	5 WEEKS 4 WEEKS

Military Spouse/Partner Programming: Is available for veterans and service-members to attend with their spouse, (life partner/committed partner/domestic partner also included). All materials provided, space is limited. Participants may be contacted to show proof of service from either a DD214 or Veteran's driver license.

For more information on how to register please refer to the How to Register tab at the bottom of this page.

Join Mesa Arts Center in celebrating the amazing work of veterans and service-members in the Arts in Service program!

ARTS IN SERVICE VIRTUAL APPRECIATION EVENT PHOTOS

View recorded Arts in Service Appreciation Event Zoom video

Thank you everyone!

Stay connected! Sign up for Arts in Service emails

How To Register

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)
Summer Classes and Workshops ( April - July)

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

Program Policies

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:

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.

WAIVER:

Participants understand and agree that they may be photographed and/or videotaped for the promotion of City of Mesa archives and for use in publicity materials. I understand that there are risks of physical injury to the participant(s). Considering all possible risks, on behalf of the participant(s) and myself, I voluntarily waive, release, discharge, and hold harmless the City of Mesa, its employees, supervisors, appointed officials, agents representatives and volunteers from all claims for all injuries to participant(s), no matter how severe. Furthermore, I give consent for emergency medical treatment to the participant(s), no matter how severe. This waiver does not extend to any such claim or liability that is caused solely and exclusively by the gross negligence of the City of Mesa or its employees, supervisors, appointed officials, agents, representatives and volunteers.

The City of Mesa reserves the right to dismiss a student from the program for inappropriate conduct if necessary. This includes unsafe use of equipment, materials or supplies. Dismissal/permanent removal is at the discretion of faculty.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Mesa Arts Center is committed to making its programs and facilities accessible to all our patrons. If you need to request an accommodation to attend a class or workshop in the Arts Studios, please mention your request to the registration agent during the time of registration or call 480.644.6520 Tues - Friday: 12pm - 5pm, Sat - Mon: CLOSED. Mesa Arts Center strives for inclusion in all classes and programs. Every effort will be made to place registrants in their desired classes, regardless of physical or mental disabilities.

Class Descriptions

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 for Beginner : 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. This class is for new students to ceramics

Ceramics for Intermediate : For returning students in ceramics. Students must have already taken a ceramics class at the MAC, Intermediate students can not sign up for both classes.

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.