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Youth Classes

Art in the Afternoon

Performing Arts I & II|  Grades 3-8

Instructor: Ellen Girvin

Performing Arts I | Grades 3 – 5 

Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5 pm | August 18 – December 15, 2026

 

Performing Arts II | Grades 6 – 8

Thursdays, 3:30 – 5 pm | August 20 – December 17, 2026

 

Unlock your child’s inner performer! Our performing arts classes offer a comprehensive introduction to the stage for new performers, including drama, movement, and vocal expression. Engaging team exercises, script work, and improvisation games, help even experienced young actors develop strong communication, public speaking, and collaboration skills. Our non-competitive environment encourages children to take creative risks and build lasting self-esteem, all building up to a student performance on Thursday, December 17.

 

$200 Members (family-level or above) | $225 Non-Members 

Enrollment is per semester, per class, per child. Each class meets one time per week. Limited scholarships are available. Please contact Jennifer Vanderbeek at jvanderbeek@thomasvillearts.org for scholarship openings.

About the Instructor

Ellen Girvin is a theatre artist, educator, and performer with a B.A. in Theatre from Florida State University and extensive theatre training and professional experience in Chicago, Los Angeles and London. She has worked professionally as an actor, improviser and teaching artist. Ellen brings her professional experience in the arts into the classroom by helping students develop their performance skills, creativity and confidence. She creates an environment where students can challenge themselves, strengthen their abilities and enjoy the process of bringing stories to life on stage. She is excited to be joining the Thomasville Center for the Arts team and looks forward to inspiring students through the performing arts.

Visual Arts I & II|  Grades K-6

Visual Arts I | Grades K – 3 | Dave Junker

Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5 pm | August 18 – December 15, 2026

 

Visual Arts II | Grades 4 – 6 | Kade Kosarich

Thursdays, 3:30 – 5 pm | August 20 – December 17, 2026

 

Unleash your child’s inner artist! Our visual arts classes offer a vibrant, hands-on space for kids to explore their creativity through painting, drawing, and mixed media. Guided by engaging instructors, students build confidence, refine fine motor skills, and turn their big ideas into colorful masterpieces. Perfect for young creatives looking to build friendships and make a beautiful mess after school, culminating in an end-of-semester exhibition on Thursday, December 17.

 

$200 Members (family-level or above) | $225 Non-Members 

Enrollment is per semester, per class, per child. Each class meets one time per week. Limited scholarships are available. Please contact Jennifer Vanderbeek at jvanderbeek@thomasvillearts.org for scholarship openings.

About the Instructor

Born in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, Dave grew up both there and in south Florida. He is fun-loving and full of God’s Grace. His artwork flows through fine art, to pencil & ink, to charcoal, to papier mache; in which his sense of humor shines in the animals and objects he hand-molds, covers, and paints. He enjoys teaching art classes to several homeschool students and students from his church’s children’s church. He also helps with set and scene designs for Vacation Bible School and Children’s Church through his church. Dave has also done art for two locally published writers and one still unpublished writer. Dave graduated from the Fine Arts program at Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Dave is married to his best friend, Jane, and she brought three grown children into the marriage; he now has 8 beautiful grandbabies and even a great grandbaby! His biggest joy is to bring others joy with his gift.

About the Instructor

Kade Kosarich is an educator, historian, and lifelong creative who believes that art is one of the best ways to spark curiosity and build confidence. Originally from Tampa, Florida, he earned his master’s degree in History from Florida State University, where he assisted undergraduate classes and encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. His background combines education, public history, and community engagement, with experiences in art history and working with youth and student-focused environments. Whether exploring history through storytelling or guiding hands-on art projects, Kade enjoys helping young people express themselves, try new things, and take pride in what they create. He is excited to share his enthusiasm for the arts and foster a welcoming classroom where young artists can discover new skills and make lasting memories in the studio.

Imagine Studio 

10am-5pm | Monday- Friday
*Toddlers and elementary school children
 
Imagine Studio is a thoughtfully designed creative space for young children and their adults, focusing on imaginative play and artmaking. This one-of-a-kind studio is now free and open to the public during regular Center hours. 
 
Storytime in Imagine Studio
 
Wednesday, July 22 | 1:00pm-1:30pm
Wednesday, August 26 | 1:00pm – 1:30pm
 

Join us for a magical journey through the pages of our favorite books! Perfect for children 2 to 6, this interactive storytime is a great opportunity to spark your child’s imagination, build early literacy skills, and make new friends. After the story, continue the fun by staying and playing in Imagine Studio, our creative space for young children and their adults to explore imaginative play and artmaking. 

Free | No RSVP required

 
 
 

1st Place Visual Arts Winner, Athalia Knight

2026 Youth Art Month Winners

Literary Arts:
1st (scholarship) – Logan Williams: Forget-Me-Nots
2nd – Gracie Moore: Some fathers leave while staying
3rd – Audrey Mizell – Silver and Gold 
 
Visual Arts:
1st (scholarship) – Athalia Knight