sold out

grades k-2

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | December 2, 2024 to February 17, 2025 (No class on December 23rd, December 30th, and January 20th.)

only 2 spots left!

For 3rd to 5th Grade

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | December 3, 2024 to February 18, 2025 (No class on Dec 24th or 31st.)

For grades K-2

Only 1 spot left!

Wednesdays, December 4, 2024 to February 19, 2025 (No class on Dec 25 or Jan 1.)

For 3rd to 5th grade

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | December 5, 2024 to February 20, 2025 (No class on Dec 26th.)

1 spot left

For Kindergarten to 2nd grade

This class is for younger creators looking to learn how to sew, sew from patterns, and design their own patterns. Young creators will work on designing and making their own road trip tote bags (for carrying all of their necessary toys, stuffies, and devices) and plush animal pillow (for comfy road trip snoozes).

Students will begin with simple two dimensional shapes to build their skills threading needles, hand stitching and learning how to safely operate a sewing machine, and then work their way up to three dimensional stuffies with ruching, easing, and whatever other sewing techniques are needed to create their fabulous designs! We will guide the students through the entire process of designing their creations, making paper patterns, cutting, sewing, and decorating.

This class runs for 10 weeks. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio. Our class follows the MRPS school calendar, so class will be held at 1pm on September 30th to accommodate MRPS’ early dismissal.

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | September 9, 2024 to November 18, 2024 (No class on October 14th. Early dismissal class on September 30th.)

Sold out

For 3rd to 5th Grades

In this wood shop class, students will build their wood working skills whether they are complete beginners or have some previous experience.

We will focus on skill development as we work through projects designed to introduce basic carpentry concepts such as blueprints, shaping, joinery and finish. Children will use hand tools as well as begin to get comfortable using power drills and a bandsaw. Over the course of 12 weeks, students will make three separate woodworking projects that are open to their own design interpretations: an animal shaped pencil holder, a gumball dispenser, and the finale: The Stool Challenge. These creations will go home with them to be used and proudly cherished for years!

Students must come to class with closed toe shoes and their hair tied back if long and wear our safety glasses when using tools. We will dedicate time in each class to go over safety and behavior around tools. Students are expected to be able to follow safety protocols to participate in this class.

This class will run for 12 weeks. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | September 3, 2024 to November 19, 2024

1 spot available

For Kindergarten to 2nd grade

This the is perfect class for the kid that likes outerspace and wants to paint, build, and sculpt. Children will have a chance to learn basic woodworking skills like sawing and hammering in our woodshop, as well as learn the basics of acrylic painting and working with paper clay.

During the course of the class, children will learn about constellations (and choose their own to recreate as a wooden piece of art), the phases of the moon and learn how to use wood as a canvas to paint the moon as it looked the day they were born, and finally, they will learn about all of the planets in our solar system and use paper clay to create a 3ft wide rotating mobile of suns and planets.

This class will run for 13 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Wednesdays 3pm to 5pm | August 28, 2024 to November 20, 2024

For 3rd to 5th grades

Come celebrate Vermont’s blaze of fall color with us this year!

In this introductory photography class, children will learn photo composition, the basics of aperture and shutter speed, as well as tips for taking interesting photos of beautiful places. Kids will practice their new skills on teacher-guided tours and hikes around Montpelier to capture the scenic heart of our capitol city. Back in the studio, kids will learn how to edit and crop photos in Photoshop to create true works of art.

Children will need to bring their own digital cameras to the studio. Any digital camera will do: an old point-and-shoot camera or whatever else you may have! Let us know if your child may need to use a studio camera for class. Please do not bring cell phones or tablets for class (we’ve found they can be distracting!)

Children will all have the chance to display their photographs as part of our Winter Artist’ Showcase.

This class will involve hiking into Hubbard Park and other naturally stunning locations in Montpelier; children should come to class prepared to walk!

This class will run for 13 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | August 29, 2024 to November 21, 2024

For Kindergarten to 2nd grade

Ever feel jealous that robots get to have all the fun? This is your chance to build your very own mech suit. Does it light up? Flip and spin? Will you have hands that blow fire? Or wings that flap?

In this class, students will be challenged to design their very own wearable machines, either as part of a super hero mech suit or as stand alone items. Depending on their designs, children will have the chance to build with LED circuits, DC motors, remote control circuits, as well as construct using our sewing station, wood shop, and more. As part of the class, children will learn basic principles of mechanics, using cams, cranks, and pulleys to complete their projects.

This class will run for 13 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | March 11, 2024 to June 17 2024 (No class on Apr 22nd or May 27th)

For 3rd to 5th Grade

For our skilled makers, a chance to use any tool in the studio to build whatever you want!

In Open Studio, kids will decide if they are taking on sewing, woodworking, mechanics, circuitry, photoshop or anything else necessary to achieve their design. All students will be challenged to dream up their own design, create detailed plans and sketches that show their designs’ dimensions and materials, and then use any tool in the studio to create it. They will be able to work on as many designs as they can complete!

Students in this class should have taken at least one class with Wilder Arts Studio.

This class will run for 14 sessions, with each class building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | March 12, 2024 to June 18, 2024 (No class on April 23rd)

For 3rd to 5th grade

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | December 5, 2024 to February 20, 2025 (No class on Dec 26th.)

Sold out

or Kindergarten to 5th Grade

This spring, students are going to help Wilder Arts go live on air! We’re building our very own radio station and walkie talkies!

In this class, children will learn and experience the invisible world of telecommunications. Kids will work together to build an FM radio transmitter, soldering components onto a circuit board. Once finished, they’ll partner into teams to broadcast music, news, the weather, or anything else they’d like to from our very own FM radio station. The radio program will be simulcast over the internet, so friends and family all over the country can tune in.

Children will also use their newly learned soldering skills to build their very own walkie talkies, that they’ll take home at the end of class.

This class runs for 13 weeks. Drop off is 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | March 14, 2024 to June 13, 2024 (No class on Apr 25th.)

For K to 5th grade

This is the class for students ready to broaden their horizons and learn about the modern world of fine art.

In this class, artist Brian Herrick is bringing the contemporary art scene out of the galleries of Chelsea and San Francisco and into Montpelier. Students will be exposed to prominent, sometimes overlooked, contemporary artists, to learn about how and why they make art and why their work matters. Students will delve into the works of:

Amy Sherald, who famously painted Michelle Obama’s official portrait

Jennifer Packer, who recently showed at the Whitney Museum in NYC

Martin Puryear, Guggenheim Fellowship, Macarthur Foundation, and National Medal of Arts awards winner

Julie Mehretu, Macarthur Award and American art awards winner

This group of diverse artists will be our window into sculpture, painting, portraiture, and abstract art.

As part of the class, students will learn to paint on canvas and sketch at their own easel stations. Children will also get to learn wood sculpture and how to bend and mold wood to create art. Children will also get to use fine art materials, usually reserved for our adult classes.

Our hope is that by studying this diverse group of modern day artists, children will see that art is alive, exciting and happening right now, not just something centuries-old that belongs in museums.

Roll up your sleeves, and let’s make art!

This class will run for 12 weeks. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. A walking school bus will be provided from Union Elementary School.

Fridays 3pm to 5pm | March 15, 2024 to June 14, 2024 (No class on Mar 22nd or Apr 26th)

For Kindergarten to 2nd Grade

Get ready to bring some unicorns, dragons and pegasuses to life in this introduction to circuits class!

In this class, children will design and explore their own favorite mystical creature, all while learning about electricity, circuits, and motors. Our first project will be designing and building a mystical miniature landscape and home for our mystical creature that will light up at night.

Then, children will move onto designing and building their own moving, mechanical mystical creature “friend.” Will their unicorn light up with a soft pat to the head? A dragon that can charge across the room? Or maybe a pegasus that can move its wings? It’s all up to the designers!

This class will run for 10 sessions, each week building on the prior week’s work. Children will learn about how electricity flows and the inner workings of small engines, in addition to learning how to build simple and complex circuits. Depending on their designed project, they may also utilize our woodshop, sewing machines, and more!

Drop off is 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | November 27, 2023 to February 19, 2024 (No class on Dec 25th, Jan 1st, or Jan 15th.)

For 3rd to 5th Grade

Bring your A-game, stylemakers!! This class is ALL about creating wild and awesome fashion.

We will guide makers and help them pursue their own fashion interests, whether they are into jewelry making, clothing, bags, hair accessories, or hats. As part of the class, students will learn all about the history of fashion design, from avant garde and haute couture to urban streetstyle and rocker chic. Depending on their vision, children will learn how to drape and sew, sew from patterns, and upcycle vintage finds into one of a kind wearable fashion.

Children will have the option of presenting their looks at a runway show at our Spring Artists Showcase in March. They will have the option of wearing their own clothes, or having a friend walk and model their outfits for them.

This class will run for 12 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | November 28, 2023 to February 20, 2023 (No class on Dec 26th)

Sold out

For kindergarten to 2nd grade

Sharpen those pencils and get your thinking caps on, because we are writing and publishing our very own picture books.

In this class, illustrator Brian Herrick will guide children through the process of writing their very own book. Children will first dream up their wildest stories (which we will lovingly transcribe for our young authors.) Brian will then teach children basic drawing techniques so their characters and action really come to life! Each child will scan their drawings into our computers in preparation for online printing.

Each child will go home with a published paperback book, with the option for caregivers to print more to share with family and friends. Books will arrive after the last day of class.

This class will run for 6 sessions, with each class building on the prior class’ work. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Wednesdays 3pm-5pm | November 29, 2023 to January 10, 2024 (No class on Dec 27th)

Sold out

For kindergarten to 2nd grade

Move over Frank Gehry, we’ve got some new architects in town.

This is the class for kids who like to dream up amazing structures and incredible LEGO builds. Maybe your dream house includes a 2 story swim tank? Or a green roof full of cherry trees and wildlife?

In this class, kids will be creating their very own LEGO set. We will guide them through how to select a theme for their build, and then figure out what colors and shape LEGO bricks they need to use to see their design come to life — just like a real LEGO Model Designer. Through LEGO, children will explore different architectural styles, from Gothic to Modern, and learn basics of color theory.

Each child will get to design their own packaging box for their custom LEGO set, including taking product photos and design 5 minifigures to complete the theme in their set.

This class will run for 6 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Wednesdays 3pm-5pm | January 17, 2024 to February 21, 2024

Sold out

For Grades 3-5

Have you ever wondered what kind of candy children eat in Tokyo? Or Sao Paulo? Come with us on our sugar-fueled journey as we travel the globe and learn about different countries and cultures, through candy!

Each week, children will study a new country and its traditional foods, and then work together to cook up a batch of confections that they’ll bring home to share with friends and family. (And candymaking is mostly about science, so we will of course have to discuss whatever those molecules are doing.)

This class will run for 12 weeks, each week introducing a new country and recipe. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will have a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | November 30, 2023 to February 22, 2024 (No class on December 28th.)

sold out

For kindergarten to 5th grade

For all kids into maps, Montpelier, sculpture and the free-est form of making…this is the class for you.

As part of the Montpelier Mural Project, children will work collaboratively to construct a 4ft x 8ft 3D replica of Montpelier, including its hills, rivers, roads, and houses. Children will use found objects, wood scraps, paper mache, acryclic paint, and what ever else is necessary to create this truly one of a kind art installation.

As part of this class, children will learn the historic geology of the Montpelier watershed and learn about ancient settlements. As they begin to recreate modern-day Montpelier, they will learn about historic travel and shipping patterns that contributed to Montpelier’s cityscape. Finally, they will analyze all the factors that led to the November 1927 and July 2023 floods, to help them fully understand the historic hydrologic event they witnessed, the technological advances that prevented it from being worse, and what future remedies might be considered.

The final mural in this class will be displayed as part of our Spring Artists Showcase and will also go on display in downtown Montpelier. The mural will separate into sections for each child to take home once the piece has finished its tour.

This class will run for 12 sessions, each week building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Fridays 3pm-5pm | December 1, 2023 to February 23, 2024 (No class on Dec 29th)

Sold out

For Kindergarten to 2nd grade

This class is for younger creators looking to learn how to sew, sew from patterns, and design their own patterns. Young creators will work on creating any stuffed animals or pillows that come to mind — solar systems, mermaids, monsters, or rainbows.

Students will begin with simple two dimensional shapes to build their skills threading needles, hand stitching and learning how to safely operate a sewing machine, and then work their way up to three dimensional stuffies with ruching, easing, and whatever other sewing techniques are needed to create their fabulous designs! We will guide the students through the entire process of designing their creations, making paper patterns, cutting, sewing, and decorating.

This class runs for 10 weeks. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | September 4, 2023 to November 13, 2023 (No class on September 4th and October 9th.)

only 3 spots left!

For Grades 3 to 5

Our two most popular fall classes, now in hybrid form!

While we still have evening light, we’ll focus on street photography, showing the world how captivating and beautiful our capitol city is! In this photography class, children will learn photo composition, the basics of aperture and shutter speed, as well as tips for taking spontaneous photos live on the streets of Montpelier. We’ll go on guided hikes through downtown Montpelier, where kids will practice their new skills and capture the heart and recovery of our beloved city.

Once the sun starts setting earlier in the evenings, we’ll switch to printmaking, bringing messages of awareness and hope to Central Vermont. Brian Herrick will lead a team of students in a variety of printmaking methods to create posters, t-shirts and more to spread awareness on topics chosen by the students.

Each student will have the chance to display their prints and photographs around town and at our Winter Artist’s Showcase.

Children will need to bring their own digital cameras to the studio. Please contact us if your child would like to take the class but doesn’t have access to a camera.

This class will run for 10 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Fridays 3pm to 5pm | September 1 2023 to November 17, 2023 (No class on Oct 6th and Nov 10th)

sold out

For Grades 3 to 5

We are bringing messages of awareness and hope to Central Vermont this fall! Brian Herrick will lead a team of students in a variety of printmaking methods to create posters, t-shirts and more to spread awareness on topics chosen by the students.

Their finished artwork will be shared with their community, as well as being featured as part of our Winter Artists’ Showcase.

This class will run for 11 sessions, each week building off the prior week’s work.

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | September 5, 2023 to November 14, 2023

Sold out

For kindergarten to 2nd grade

Come with us to the Wilder Arts Woodshop where wood turns into toys, keepsakes, and beautiful sculptures!

In this introductory class, students will learn the basics of woodworking, starting with measuring, angles, and hand tools, then graduating to blue prints and power tools. Through a few projects designed to teach basic skills, our woodworkers will become familiar with all the necessary tools and vocabulary needed to build useful, tangible objects with their own two hands.

We will make our own scrap-bot friend and a marshmallow launching catapult to start the fun, working their way up to a final challenge to design and build any toy or object they can dream up.

Students must come to class with closed toe shoes and their hair tied back and wear safety glasses when using tools. We will dedicate time in each class to go over safety and behavior around tools. Students are expected to be able to follow safety protocols to participate in this class.

This class will run for 12 sessions. Children can be dropped off between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

Wednesdays 3pm to 5pm | August 30th to November 15th

one spot left!

For Grades 3 to 5

Let’s show the world how captivating and beautiful our capitol city is!

In this photography class, children will learn photo composition, the basics of aperture and shutter speed, as well as tips for taking spontaneous photos live on the streets of Montpelier. We’ll go on guided hikes through downtown Montpelier, where kids will practice their new skills and capture the heart and recover of our beloved city. Back in the studio, kids will learn how to edit and crop photos in Photoshop to create true works of art.

Each student will have the chance to display their photographys Winter Artist’s Showcase.

Children will need to bring their own digital cameras to the studio. Please contact us if your child would like to take the class but doesn’t have access to a camera.

This class will run for 12 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | August 31, 2023 to November 16, 2023

Sold out

grades k-2

Something’s cooking up in Wilder Arts Studio, and it promises to be VERY sweet.

Welcome to the Montpelier Candy Kitchen, where every week we will be boiling, dipping, molding, and crystallizing lollipops and chocolates and gummies and more! Even better, we’ll learn exactly what chemical reactions are taking place, on a molecular level, to make these sugary confections come to life. Every week, children will go home with a fresh batch of candy to share with friends and family.

This class is named after the historic Montpelier Candy Kitchen, which was located in downtown Montpelier in the early 1900s. This class will also explore and recreate nostalgic treats that children in the turn of the century would have enjoyed (in addition to our more modern beloved treats!)

This is a 12 week class. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers to ensure good air quality in the studio. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | March 13, 2023 to June 12, 2023 (No class on April 24th and May 29th.)

Sold out

grades 3-5

Did your parents forget your room needed a pirate ship bed or rainbow starcruiser lamp? Or maybe an astronaut captain’s chair or fairy curtains that will float in the breeze? Whatever your room needs, we are here to help.

In this class: we will guide children through designing and building special pieces of furniture, accessories, and decor for their bedrooms, to the farthest reaches of design, imagination, and structural and electrical engineering. Depending on their projects, students will have wide range to use all of our studio’s stations, including our wood shop, sewing station, computer nook, and glassworks. We will guide them through whatever technique they need to achieve their dreams.

As in all our classes, we will work with sustainably sourced and found objects to the extent that we can, encouraging children to imagine new uses for old goods.

This class will run for thirteen weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers to ensure good air quality in the studio. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | March 14, 2023 to June 13, 2023 (No class on April 25th.)

only 2 spots left!

grades 2-4

Have you ever wished Harry Potter’s Quidditch Cup could come to life? Well, this is your chance!

In this class, makers will be split into 2 teams that will compete for the ultimate Montpelier Quidditch Cup. Teams will be tasked with designing their team logos and uniforms, and making custom brooms, hoops, quaffles, bludgers, and of course the snitch — everything necessary to pull off a real Quidditch tournament, to be played as part of Wilder Arts’ Summer Showcase.

Real-life Quidditch (aka Muggle Quidditch) was invented at Vermont’s own Middlebury College in 2005. We will follow the rules of the International Quadball Association as closely as possible, and may include tweaks if both teams desire them.

This class runs for 14 weeks. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers to ensure good air quality in the studio. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Wednesdays 3pm to 5pm | March 8, 2023 to June 14, 2023 (No class on April 26th.)

For 3rd to 5th Grade

Get ready to rock, Montpelier!

Local musician D Davis joins Wilder Arts this December to teach young musicians how to collaborate, harmonize, and — most importantly — rock out and have fun.

For this limited run class, D will lead a ukulele rock band as they learn to play and perform a beloved rock song together. He will teach students harmonizing melodies, how to sing while performing, and how to support each other to create a truly epic sound.

This class will run for 3 sessions. This is a limited run, introductory class to group performance, and will be a first learning step towards multi-instrument rock band classes to come! The class will culminate in a performance at the Wilder Arts’ Winter Showcase, a gallery show and performance to highlight our students’ work and celebrate their achievements.

Requirements: Children should already have had some instruction in the ukulele and know how to play the basic ukulele chords. Children will also need to bring their own ukulele to class. Ability to read music is not required.

We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers to ensure good air quality in the studio. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Fridays 3pm to 4:30pm | December 2, 2022 to December 16, 2022 (Performance on December 18)

sold out

For Kindergarten to 2nd Grade

Get ready for a class alllllll about dragons, unicorns, alicorns, fairies, phoenixes, and any other mythical creature your child can dream up!

In this class, children will design and explore their own favorite mystical creature. Our first project will be designing and building a mystical miniature landscape and home for our mystical creature that will light up at night.

Then, children will move onto designing and building their own moving, mechanical mystical creature “friend.” Will their unicorn light up with a soft pat to the head? A dragon that can charge across the room? Or maybe a pegasus that can move its wings?

This class will run for 11 sessions, each week building on the prior week’s work. Children will learn about how electricity flows and the inner workings of small engines, in addition to learning how to build simple and complex circuits. Depending on their designed project, they may also utilize our woodshop, sewing machines, and more!

We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers to ensure good air quality in the studio. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | November 28 2022 to February 20, 2023 (No class on Dec 26th and Jan 16th.)

Only 2 spots left!

For 3rd to 5th Grade

Bring your A-game, makers!! This class is ALL about creating wild and awesome fashion.

We will guide makers and help them pursue their own fashion interests, whether they are into jewelry making, clothing, bags, hair accessories, or hats. As part of the class, students will learn all about the history of fashion design, from avant garde and haute couture to urban streetstyle and rocker chic. Depending on their vision, children will learn how to drape and sew, sew from patterns, and upcycle vintage finds into one of a kind wearable fashion.

This class will run for 12 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We wil continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers for improved air quality. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | November 29, 2022 to February 21, 2023 (No class on Jan 27th)

1 spot available

For Kindergarten to 2nd grade

This the is perfect class for the kid that likes outerspace and wants to paint, build, and sculpt. Children will have a chance to learn basic woodworking skills like sawing and hammering in our woodshop, as well as learn the basics of acrylic painting and working with paper clay.

During the course of the class, children will learn about constellations (and choose their own to recreate as a wooden piece of art), the phases of the moon and learn how to use wood as a canvas to paint the moon as it looked the day they were born, and finally, they will learn about all of the planets in our solar system and use paper clay to create a 3ft wide rotating mobile of suns and planets.

This class will run for 13 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. Drop off is between 3-3:30pm. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

Wednesdays 3pm to 5pm | August 28, 2024 to November 20, 2024

For 3rd to 5th Grade

sold out

Get ready, Lego masters; Wilder Arts is challenging you to create the perfect city…made out of Lego. Your final creation will be part of a public artworks display in downtown Montpelier!

In this class, makers will learn the most up to date practices in urban planning from researchers and practitioners in the field, with guest lecturers and walking tours of downtown Montpelier. Back in the studio, children will work together to design their vision of a perfect city out of lego, paper mache, and any other studio supplies they need. What goes into a livable city? Shops, school, city parks, streets, sidewalks, bike paths? It will be up to our makers to decide!

Each Lego master will work on their own section of the city, but will be free to collaborate and work with friends on different segments of the city. The finished built city will be put on public display in downtown Montpelier, at the Kellogg Hubbard Library. After the showing, children can take their portion of the city to display and enjoy at home!

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers to ensure good air quality in the studio. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | December 1, 2022 to February 23, 2023 (Class on Dec 22nd will run from 1pm to 3pm, to accomodate UES early release. No class on Dec 29th)

For Kindergarten to 2nd grade

Sold out

This class is for younger creators looking to learn how to hand stitch, sew from patterns, and design their own patterns. Young creators will work on creating any stuffed animals or pillows that come to mind — solar systems, mermaids, monsters, or rainbows. We will guide the students through the entire process of designing their creations, making paper patterns, cutting, sewing, and decorating. Children can create as many pillows and stuffies as they want!

This class runs for 10 weeks. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Mondays, 3pm to 5pm | August 29, 2022 to November 14, 2022

One spot left!

For 3rd to 5th Grade

Come celebrate Vermont’s blaze of fall color with us this year!

In this introductory photography class, children will learn photo composition, the basics of aperture and shutter speed, as well as tips for taking interesting photos of beautiful places. Kids will practice their new skills on teacher-guided tours and hikes around Montpelier to capture the scenic heart of our capitol city. Back in the studio, kids will learn how to edit and crop photos in Photoshop to create true works of art.

Children will need to bring their own digital cameras to the studio. Any digital camera will do: an old point-and-shoot camera or whatever else you may have! Let us know if your child may need to use a studio camera for class. Please do not bring cell phones or tablets for class (we’ve found they can be distracting!)

This class will run for 12 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | August 30, 2022 to November 15, 2022

For Kindergarten to 2nd grade

Two spots left!

Get ready for some SPARKS. In this class, children will learn all about electrical circuits: where electricity comes from, how it flows, and how to pull it all together in a circuit. Then, they’ll get to imagine and design their own wildly creative electrical projects — a late night reading lantern? A rolling robot? A pulsating oximilliscope? A rowing mechanical peacock? We can’t wait to see what they dream up.

This class will run for 12 weeks. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

This class will be a prerequisite for Wilder Arts robotics classes.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Wednesdays 3pm to 5pm | September 1, 2022 to November 16, 2022

For 3rd to 5th Grades

In this wood shop class, students will build their wood working skills whether they are complete beginners or have some previous experience.

We will focus on skill development as we work through projects designed to introduce basic carpentry concepts such as blueprints, shaping, joinery and finish. Children will use hand tools as well as begin to get comfortable using power drills and a bandsaw. Over the course of 13 weeks, students will make three separate woodworking projects that are open to their own design interpretations: an animal shaped pencil holder, a wood stool, and a gumball dispenser. These creations will go home with them to be used and proudly cherished for years!

Students must come to class with closed toe shoes and their hair tied back if long and wear our safety glasses when using tools. We will dedicate time in each class to go over safety and behavior around tools. Students are expected to be able to follow safety protocols to participate in this class.

This class will run for thirteen weeks. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | August 25, 2022 to November 17, 2022

Calling all dreamers, future architects and designers!!

Artists and architects will design and build their own mini wooden buildings — dollhouses, fairy houses, or skyscrapers. Then, they’ll get to dream up all the furniture, decorations, operating chandeliers, lamps, and miniature details to really make their houses and buildings come to life! Children will learn basic wood construction and principles of architecture and civil engineering, as well as have access to our sewing station and supply wall to create all their miniatures.

This class runs over the course of 6 weeks, each week building on the prior week’s work. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also use our outdoor spaces as much as possible, for snacks and play.)

Mondays, 3pm-5pm | May 2, 2022 to June 13, 2022 (No class on May 30th)

In this class, students will learn to make a variety of traditionally handcrafted items such as candles, soap, cards and other gift worthy items, and then sell them with all proceeds going towards charity relief programs supporting victims of the war in Ukraine.

As part of the class, students will be introduced to basic entrepreneurial concepts: identifying customers, product development, marketing, pricing, and sales strategies. Students will design their own sales stand, price list, and product presentations. On the last class of the session, students will open a “pop up” shop to sell their crafts and raise money for charity.

We will work with the students to identify a charity to donate our proceeds to. It is our wish that students will leave this class with a sense of empowerment and a feeling that we are all able to make a difference in our world if we use our creativity and make an effort.

This class will run for 7 sessions. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also use our outdoor spaces as much as possible, for snacks and play.)

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | May 3, 2022 to June 14, 2022

grades 3-5

This is the class for makers ready to take the next step: into remote controls, computer coding, and introductory robotics!

In this class, makers will learn all about servo motors and remote control devices, and how they work. They’ll be challenged to design advanced projects using the new-to-them technology. Makers will also take first steps into more complex motor programming and circuit board design.

Makers must have taken one of our introductory circuits classes (Intro to Circuits, My Unicorn Friend, or Fantasy Scapes) or worked on our circuit makerboxes prior to taking this class.

This class will run for 14 sessions, each week building on the prior week’s work.

We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We wil continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers for improved air quality. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | March 9, 2023 to June 15, 2023 (No class on April 27th)

sold out

For Kindergarten to 2nd Grade

Get ready for a class alllllll about dragons, unicorns, alicorns, fairies, phoenixes, and any other mythical creature your child can dream up!

In this class, children will design and explore their own favorite mystical creature. Our first project will be designing and building a mystical miniature landscape and home for our mystical creature that will light up at night.

Then, children will move onto designing and building their own moving, mechanical mystical creature “friend.” Will their unicorn light up with a soft pat to the head? A dragon that can charge across the room? Or maybe a pegasus that can move its wings?

This class will run for 11 sessions, each week building on the prior week’s work. Children will learn about how electricity flows and the inner workings of small engines, in addition to learning how to build simple and complex circuits. Depending on their designed project, they may also utilize our woodshop, sewing machines, and more!

We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are optional. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers to ensure good air quality in the studio. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Mondays 3pm to 5pm | November 28 2022 to February 20, 2023 (No class on Dec 26th and Jan 16th.)

Only 2 spots left!

This is the class for kids who love to draw and puzzle and MAKE!

In this class, makers will design and build their own custom wooden 2D and 3D puzzles. First, we’ll examine different wooden puzzle designs — how two dimensional and three dimensional pieces fit together and how puzzle makers create images with visual clues to help users solve difficult puzzles.

Makers will then design and create their own unique puzzles. We will emphasize the artistry of puzzle design, focusing on drawing and painting techniques to create detailed puzzle images. If they’d like, makers will also be trained on using a bandsaw in the woodshop to cut out their puzzle pieces, and finally how to seal the wood on their puzzles so their work can be treasured for years to come.

Each maker will go home with their own custom designed puzzles to share with friends and family.

We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also use our outdoor spaces as much as possible, for snacks and play.)

Wednesdays 3pm to 5pm | March 16, 2022 to April 27, 2022 (No class on April 20th)

Sold out

This class is for the passionate lego lover who can build for hours and get lost in their own world!

Students will combine building materials like wood, cardboard, recyclables and paint with Lego pieces and create their very own Lego world to take home and keep playing with. We will investigate different construction methods and principles like symmetry, color symbolism, building in three-dimensional space and detail orientation to become even better builders. The studio will have bins of color sorted Lego pieces as well as built examples and instruction books for inspiration. Children will be able to play and build in every class as they slowly develop a concept for their final Lego landscape. Through incorporating and attaching other materials like fabric, sand, plants and other odds and ends we will make the Legos come to life. Each student will be given up to four Lego figures to mix, match and decorate as part of their set.

As a proud native Dane your instructor, Sofia will also use this class to tell the inspiring story of the single-father entrepreneur toy maker who failed miserably multiple times before eventually building a multi-million dollar company out of his revolutionary attachable bricks! It is a story of resilience and dusting yourself off and trying again — a great lesson for every maker.

So whether you dream of building your own Star Wars planet, fantasy city, beach scene with an ice cream stand, airport with planes and passengers, jungle or a ski resort - just bring your imagination and we will help you built it!

We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated and boosted. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also use our outdoor spaces as much as possible, for snacks and play.)

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | March 17, 2022 to April 28, 2022 (No class on April 21st)

Only 2 spots left!

Calling all game lovers, way finders and strategists! It’s time to draw your own path through candy land, build the walls for the craziest labyrinths you can imagine or get to work on the world’s next big board game craze!

In this class you get to imagine and make your own board game, maze, marble track or any other game you can dream up. Your instructors will show you lots of inspiring examples and give you free roam to use all the materials and tools needed to make a fully working game with a titled box to take home and play with your friends and family. Perhaps a Montpelier edition of monopoly? A Pokémon finding maze or a Minecraft builder’s version of Jenga?

Whatever it is you dream up, we can’t wait to help you bring to life! In our final class, we will celebrate by playing your new games while munching on popcorn. Come play with us!

(Materials used will be mainly cardboard, chip board, wood, recyclables, paper, tape, glue and paint)

This class will run for seven weeks. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(We are committed to our students, families, and staff safety and health. To register for this class, children must have had at least their first COVID vaccination or have an appointment to receive their first COVID vaccination. All Wilder Arts staff are fully vaccinated. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status inside the studio. We will also continue to open windows and utilize our 3 air purifiers. We will also utilize our outdoor space for snacks and work.)

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | January 4, 2022 to February 15, 2022

Sold out

If you can dream it, we can help you make it!

This class will be an interdisciplinary open studio led by students’ own ideas and makerpower. All our work stations, including our woodshop, sewing station, tech & circuitry station, paint shop, and supply wall, will be open for children to explore and use to build their creations. We will guide them through the process of design, then work together to determine the best materials and methods to create their project. This class is perfect for the young maker bursting with ideas and just wants to be let loose in the studio to create!

This class will run for eight weeks. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(As always, all COVID protocols will be followed, including open windows and several air purifiers spread throughout the studio. All Wilder Arts staff are vaccinated. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Weather and conditions permitting, we will also utilize our outdoor tent for snacks and work.)

Thursdays 3pm to 5pm | January 6, 2022 to February 17, 2022

Sold out

By popular demand, we’re introducing our first Open Studio class! If you can dream it, we can help you make it.

This class will be an interdisciplinary open studio led by students’ own ideas and makerpower. All our work stations, including our woodshop, sewing station, tech & circuitry station, paint shop, and supply wall, will be open for children to explore and use to build their creations. We will guide them through the process of design, then work together to determine the best materials and methods to create their project. This class is perfect for the young maker bursting with ideas and just wants to be let loose in the studio to create!

This class will run for eight weeks. We will provide a walking school bus from Union Elementary School to Wilder Arts Studio.

(As always, all COVID protocols will be followed, including open windows and several air purifiers spread throughout the studio. All Wilder Arts staff are vaccinated. Everyone will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Weather and conditions permitting, we will also utilize our outdoor tent for snacks and work.)

Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm | October 26, 2020 to December 21, 2020 (No class on Nov 23rd)