ATHABASCA – Children looking to take a step up from the arts and crafts table at school will have a new opportunity to do just that with the opening of the Creative Cats Arts Studio on Main Street.
The studio is the brainchild of Tanis Klein, a local artist and teacher who grew up in the area and recently moved back to her home community after working overseas. Once she returned, she noticed a gap in programming for kids and adults alike.
“I’ve always loved art since I was young and I’ve always been making — paintings, sculptures, drawing all the time, everything,” said Klein. “I was looking around to see if there’s any other art studios, or people offering lessons … I thought this would be a good opportunity because there’s nothing around here that is interested in offering it.”
Klein works with Aspen View School Division as a substitute teacher after she took a step back from full-time teaching at the end of the previous school year. Part of her pitch to the community is her certifications: beyond her fine art undergrad and a bachelor’s in education, Klein obtained her master’s in arts education through an online program while she taught.
“It’s nice when people register in a class,” said Klein. “They really want to get something from it, so you know they’re really committed.”
Creative Cats students will have the option to take classes in four disciplines. In sculpting, students will get the opportunity to do more work in the realm, which Klein said is often taught less in schools. In fashion, students will learn how to drape and sew, as well as put on a fashion show and learn some tips about fashion photography. In the drawing and painting classes, students will have time to get more detail oriented on larger scale pieces than they would tend to work on in a classroom setting.
“It’s a richer, more in-depth program, where I have time before and after to really set up and focus on their skills,” she said.
Classes, which started in early October, will run until mid-December, with students split into three groups: six- to eight-year-olds, nine- to 13-year-olds, and 14- to 18-year-olds, with adult painting classes offered weekly as well.
Besides formal classes, Klein is hoping to put her classroom skills to use with day camps on Aspen View’s professional development days and during the November break.
“It’ll be four full days of art, so we’ll do sculpture, painting, sewing, some games, and we’ll go to the riverfront to play. We’ll have some fun,” said Klein.
“I get really excited when students make something that they’re really excited about and they’re really proud of. I love that moment, that boost of confidence. Hopefully steering them in this direction will take them away from things that might be detrimental to young people.”
