THOMASVILLE- Art in the Afternoon returns to Thomasville Center for the Arts in January for spring semester with offerings for elementary, middle, and high school students. Two classes meet once weekly from January through May and culminate with a year-end showcase.

During Art in the Afternoon classes, students build skills and confidence in a supportive and inspiring environment. Whether a student is a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, these classes offer a welcoming space for all skill levels to discover the joy of creating art.

Elementary students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades will “Dive Into Color” with Jennifer Vanderbeek on Wednesday afternoons. Vanderbeek, an author, illustrator, and mixed media artist, has called Thomasville home for 10 years. Her work has been featured in books and magazines and has been part of many local public art displays. While she’s created webcomics and illustrated a cookbook and several coloring books, Vanderbeek’s current work focuses on wildlife, specifically threatened and endangered species.

“I believe strongly in the power of creativity to increase the quality of our daily lives,” Vanderbeek said. “It is important to encourage others to recognize our innate creativity on a daily basis.”

In Vanderbeek’s “Dive Into Color” class, students will explore a variety of art principles while learning color theory and meaning, dive deep into tints and shades to create a series of monochromatic works, then learn to mix colors to create more dynamic compositions.

Middle and high school students in grades 6-12 will join Kat Chudy in the print lab. Chudy’s Tuesday afternoon class explores printmaking using a variety of traditional and modern techniques over the course of the semester. Students will study techniques like papermaking, stenciling, relief, screen printing, and monotyping to create works of art that are both spontaneous and fun, as well as longer-term projects that build on previous classes to create more complex and exciting works of art.

“I often utilize thrift or used materials, and my printmaking practice heavily relies on green processes and a DIY ethic,” Chudy explained. “My educational approach embraces experimentation and access, upholding the idea that art should be an enjoyable, healing, and expressive force.”

Chudy is a working artist in Tallahassee with a BFA in art history and printmaking from The University of Texas at El Paso and an MFA in studio art from Florida State University.

All Art in the Afternoon classes take place from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at Thomasville Center for the Arts, and bus transportation from Thomasville City and Thomas County schools can be arranged. Course fees are only $140 per semester (supplies included), and tuition discounts are offered to Center members and for early registration (before December 31). A limited number of scholarships are also available. Register online at thomasvillearts.org/art-in-the-afternoon, or call the Center at (229) 225-6461.