Calling all young artists

Local award winning children’s book author and illustrator Libby Ellis will be offering two new art classes at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge at 4469 Chevy Chase Drive.

One class will explore art as a safari, for grades first through third, while another class will delve into the art of printmaking.

“The Art Safari [class] will explore different art mediums using animals as subjects,” Ellis said. “And in printmaking we will learn different techniques and explore experimental methods like block.”

A child may be a budding Rembrandt or one who has never done art before; the classes are designed to work with each artist as an individual.

For years Ellis has offered art classes throughout Crescenta Valley. She finds the children enthusiastic and very creative. And, she added, art may bring out the academic in some students.

“A lot of students will tell me they aren’t good in math or science,” she said. “Then, when we are working on a project I will point out that they are measuring and using a ruler and that requires math skills, and then they mix paint which involves science.”

One of her goals is to help build an artistic community in the area.

Her first step was to reach out to schools and those students. She has offered a Summer Art Camp for Tweens and has many enrichment programs in local schools. In February she will be offering an art class to students at Mountain Avenue Elementary as well as a class at Rosemont Middle School.

She said she enjoyed the community of young artists she sees growing in the area. Over the holiday she invited many of her longtime students to an art party.

“It was so sweet to see them talking about art and creating,” Ellis said. “Many of these students don’t go to the same school. Art gives them a sense of community.”

Session I of Printmaking will be offered from Jan. 5-Feb. 9. Session II will be from Feb. 23-March 30. Classes will be held on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for grades 4-6. The fee is $140 for each six-week session. There is a limit of 12 students.

Art Safari, Session I, is from Jan. 8-Feb. 12 on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for grades 1-3. The fee is $140 for the six-week session.

To apply or for more information, visit www.cclfc.org or call the center at (818) 790-4353.