The Phipps Center for the Arts

Special activities for children at The Phipps
Click on description for interesting activities for children and their parents:

Youth Medication and Special Needs Policy

Participants under the age of 18 who are engaged in The Phipps sponsored or administered activites and who require medication, must have the medication administered by a parent or guardian.

Participants with special needs must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Follow this link to Performing Arts Classes for a list of dance classes for adults and children.

Mythical Journeys
for students in grades 1-3

Participants will learn the basics of creative dramatics through movement, voice, and their active imaginations. Using the Grimm Brothers' familiar fairy tales as source material, young actors will create their own unique story based on these adventures. The final class will include a presentation of skills learned.

Four Sessions
Saturdays
Apr. 17, 24, May 8, 15
9 – 10 a.m.
Fee: $38

Laughter in the Lair of Legends
for students in grades 4-6

This energetic class will lead students through the controlled chaos world of improvisation. Participants will explore the use of movement and voice to create distinctive characters. Using lively music as source material, young actors will develop their own unique story. The final class will include a presentation of skills learned.

Four Saturdays
Saturdays
Apr. 17, 24, May 8, 15
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $48

Instructor Charles Fraser has taught a broad range of theater disciplines in elementary schools, high schools, cholleges, and universities across the United States as part of the Guthrie on Tour as well as the Guthrie's Schools on Stage, Summer Conferences, Summer Camps, Target Play Dates, Guthrie in the Parks, Sampler Classes, residencies, and corporate workshops. Additionally, he is a teaching artist with Upstream Arts, Hennepin Theatre Trust, and Avalon Charter School. As an actor, he has worked for the Guthrie Theater, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, History Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Minnesota Shakespeare Project, Playwrights' Center, Brave New Workshop, and Illusion Theater.

>click here to register for these classes

Students will learn the basic techniques of throwing pottery on the wheel and will build their skills and understanding of the sculptural possibilities of clay through pinching, coiling, and slab construction. Students will be given freedom to experiment with their new skills and will receive significant one-on-one attention. Class sizes are limited to eight, so please register early.

Six sessions
Tuesdays
Winter Session: Jan. 19 – Feb. 23
Spring Session: Mar. 30 – May 4
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Fee: $113

Instructor Joel Thorson is from Hudson, Wisconsin and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. He explores the functional and non-functional ceramic form, searching for innate spiritual meaning through simple yet elegant design. Thorson finds ceramics the perfect medium for self-expression because clay is so expressive and easy to manipulate.

>click here to register for these classes

Introduction to Weaving
Ages 7 and up

New weavers will be introduced to weaving on two different looms. Students will learn several techniques on a two harness table loom, including tabby, meet and join tapestry, and log cabin, to weave a table runner. On a four harness loom, students will use twill patterns to create a placemat. Class size is limited to 6 students, so register early! (Bring a sack lunch.)

One Day
Saturday
Feb. 13
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fee: $49

Instructor Judy Larson has been weaving for seven years. She is a second grade teacher at Glenwood City and has a weaving studio at Color Crossing in Roberts where she spends most of her Saturdays. Her interest in weaving started when her mother got her great-grandmother's loom, and she had to learn enough to be helpful. Since then, Larson has taught weaving in summer school classes and at Color Crossing. Whether working on an 8-foot rug, a delicate scarf, or an intricate blanket, she enjoys the challenges and surprises that weaving creates. Larson is a member of the Minnesota Weaver's Guild and has demonstrated weaving at the Minnesota State Fair.