Welcome to the Arts Academy at Bottle Works, where we inspire creativity in kids ages 3–18 through fun, age-appropriate art experiences! Guided by qualified instructors, our programs help young artists connect, express themselves, and grow—all in a safe, welcoming space. Below you will find listings of all of our art classes for ages 3-18.
To register for a class, you will be required to provide payment up front. Please click on the “Pay Now” button or apply for a scholarship by clicking on the “Scholarship Application” button. Once we have received your payment or application, you will be emailed an enrollment form that will collect all of your child’s information and finalize your registration. Your child is not officially registered until you have filled out the enrollment form in its entirety. You will be contacted one week before the start of the class with details you may need!
We look forward to seeing you and your young artist at Bottle Works! If you have any questions regarding the Arts Academy, please contact our Youth Arts Education Coordinator at nkearney@bottleworks.org.
Fall 2026
Scholarships available for all fall youth courses!
To register your child, please follow the link below the desired class to make payment or fill out a scholarship application. Upon completion of this step, watch your email inbox for our enrollment form and further information about the class.
Embark on a creative journey with our engaging class designed for preschool kids ages 3-6! This dynamic program combines visual art, music, and movement to inspire young minds and bodies. Through hands-on activities and interactive experiences, children will discover the joy of self-expression and unleash their artistic potential. From exploring colors and shapes to dancing to different rhythms, this class offers a holistic approach to early childhood development. Join us and watch your child’s imagination soar as they create, sing, and dance their way through a world of creativity and fun!
$110 or $105 for BW Members
POW! BANG! WHAM! Comic Creators Club will spend 10 weeks exploring the art of visual storytelling!
Comic illustrator Matt Lamb (Hero Works Publishing), will guide students on an epic journey through visual storytelling, including character design, anatomy, dynamic posing, story pacing, and perspective, while showing techniques in pencil, pen & ink, & art marker on professional comic Bristol boards. Students will craft their own three-page story by the end of the course.
$250 or $245 for BW Members
Get ready to squish, shape, build, and create in this hands-on clay class for artists ages 7–12! Students will explore the exciting world of air dry clay while learning the foundational techniques used to create successful sculptures and functional clay pieces.
Young artists will practice essential clay-building skills such as pinching, coiling, slab construction, joining pieces securely, adding texture, and creating details. Along the way, they’ll strengthen problem-solving skills, explore their creativity, and gain confidence bringing their ideas to life in three dimensions.
This class encourages imagination, experimentation, and fun in a supportive environment where every artist can create something uniquely their own.
$100 or $95 for BW Members
Celebrate the colors of the season in this fun and beginner-friendly acrylic painting class for artists ages 7–12! Young artists will explore the fundamentals of landscape painting while creating autumn-inspired scenes filled with colorful trees, rolling hills, cozy skies, and seasonal details.
Students will learn important artistic concepts like composition, foreground and background placement, perspective, color mixing, and creating depth in a simple and approachable way. Through step-by-step instruction and creative exploration, artists will build confidence using acrylic paint while developing their own unique style.
This class encourages imagination, observation, and creative problem-solving in a supportive environment where kids can learn new skills and bring their fall landscapes to life on canvas.
$100 or $95 for BW Members
Step into the Color Lab and explore the exciting world of mixed media art! In this creative class for artists ages 7–12, students will learn the fundamentals of still life drawing and design while experimenting with a variety of artistic materials and techniques.
Using paint, collage, drawing materials, and other mixed media supplies, young artists will create colorful still life compositions inspired by everyday objects. Along the way, students will explore important color theory concepts such as warm and cool colors, complementary colors, color mixing, contrast, and mood.
This class encourages experimentation, creativity, and observation while helping students build confidence in artistic decision-making. Through hands-on projects and guided instruction, artists will discover how color and composition work together to bring artwork to life.
$100 or $95 for BW Members
Kulani – West African Dance Class
Stay tuned for upcoming dates
Ages 5+
Join Kulani for West African Dance fun! Ms Gwen and Ms Holly continue to bring West African Dance to the Johnstown Community. Your children ages 5 and up will learn the art of dance, and drumming, as passed down from generation to generation in Western Africa. These instructors traveled to Guinea and have been sharing what they learned from their amazing Guinean teachers since 2014.
All kids ages 5 and up are welcome, a $5 donation per session is recommended, but not required.
Watch the Camp BW Summer Camp students from 2022 perform “Unsinkable Johnstown” with the Molok!
Mindfulness and Arts
Making a difference in your classroom
Our Mindfulness and Arts Initiative seeks to engage youth within local schools and community organizations by employing the Mindful Schools curriculum coupled with arts. Through the application and practice of The Mindful School’s curriculum, we aim to provide an outlet for behavioral, emotional, academic, and social growth and support. Programming is held at your school/organization, or at the BOTTLE WORKS.
The Mindful Schools (mindfulschools.org)
What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is the quality of deliberate attention, of bringing purposeful awareness to one’s experience.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
Over thirty years of research demonstrates that mindfulness improves:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Decision-Making Skills
- Academic Achievement
- Body and Thought Awareness
- Impulse Control
- Stress Management
- Improved Focus
- Compassion towards others and self
Log on to http://www.mindfulschools.org in order to find out more. Mindfulness and Arts Program: This Mindfulness and Arts program teaches mindfulness tools while engaging students in the joy of arts. We use the Mindful School curriculum to teach youth how to improve decision-making skills, impulse control and stress management. Among others, the lessons include: mindfulness of breath, mindfulness of emotion, mindfulness of thought, mindful eating, compassion toward self and others, and body awareness. The art lessons will provide students with practice and applicability by utilizing the learned mindfulness skills. Students will engage in many various forms of art that may include drumming, creative writing, watercolor, zentangle, and clay. This programming can be tailored for any grade. We are looking to partner with schools and community organizations, as students would benefit.
The in-classroom Mindfulness and Arts Program is an eight- or sixteen-week program that occurs twice weekly.
For more information, contact Holly Lees, BOTTLE WORKS Mindfulness and Arts Facilitator, at hlees@bottleworks.org or 814.535.2020.
What are people saying?!?
“Students were made aware of ways to maintain self-control which is extremely important today. Also, it is quite beneficial for students to have the strategies presented to fight stress. I think students partially enjoyed the art lessons that related well to the mindfulness teachings.”Mr. Roberts 6th grade teacher at Conemaugh Valley Elementary“I definitely will use mindfulness tools for the rest of my life” ~ 6th-grade student“Thank you for teaching me how to keep my body calm. I especially like how we used mindful breathing.”
~ 5th-grade student“Mindfulness helps with situations. When I’m mad, I use mindful breathing”~6th-grade students
Please note that the Bottle Works engages in photography and recording of programs and events for its own print and online publication/promotional purposes. Staff and volunteers will make every effort to notify members of the public when filming and/or photography is taking place. Please notify a staff member/volunteer if you do not want to be photographed or filmed.