Fine Arts Academy

I can’t believe I’m the first to review! The pressure! :)
I can’t say enough good things about this place… the staff and the quality of classes they offer.
I first signed up my daughter through the city of Glendora park and rec program for their Jr. Chef class last fall. (Although since then I just sign up directly with them because it is a little cheaper to sign up directly.)
My daughter loooves the teacher (Chef Danae). She was so genuinely caring with all of the little ones and my little one really enjoyed learning how to cook and making something she could eat. (The teacher always commented on what a good eater she is. I laughed because she normally isn’t when I cook… I guess I will have to let her cook herself from now on!). Before that class I searched high and low online to find anything about the fine arts academy, but couldn’t find anything so I signed up and crossed my fingers.
The classes are held in the first Christian Church. It is an older building, nothing fancy, but I am ok with that because the quality of the instructors is nothing short of superb! They are very patient (saintly patient) and really care about each kid. Her cooking class had around 8 kids or so and they all got the attention they needed.
I was so impressed I signed my daughter up for another cooking class (this time it was chef summer… equally amazing!). I also signed her up for the hand stitching class. Since I can barely sew a button on I wanted to make sure my child didn’t suffer the same fate. :). the teacher (Nilda) reminds me of a young grandmother type… patiently helping the kids (only two in the class) learn how to thread the needle, sew lines, sew buttons, etc. The kids always have smiles when the class is done and you can tell they are proud of learning these skills. (I think they are going to make a little stuffed toy by the end of the class but I’m not sure).
I also signed my daughter up for the drawing class… there are around 8 kids and it seems to be a really good class that they use a lot of different mediums and the teacher seems to be very knowledgable about how to teach basic and not so basic drawing classes. (I wish I had time myself to take one!).
The nice thing about the classes is that they accommodate the age ranges listed really well. From the younger ones to the slightly older ones they all seem to be learning and having a good time. Also, all of the kids seem to be really nice kids which is also important to me. (I don’t know if that is because parents that enroll their kids in «fine arts» classes tend to be more hands on or not, but whatever the reason, these are kids I wouldn’t mind her hanging out with after class.
I also took the earring making class and had a lot of fun. It was a two hour class and I probably made 5 sets of earrings. The teacher (also a grandmother type) was very very knowledgable and really patient… made me feel ok asking even basic questions… the age range of the class was probably 14 to 65 and we all had a great time… looking forward to the next jewelry class.
I also signed up for the art and music one week summer camp… what a great week! There were only about 15 – 20 kids and tons of great volunteers… they danced (with top billing instructors) learned music –harmonica or percussion (from mike’s guitar), sewed, did ceramics, cooked, created bugs from bowling balls… it was amazing how much they did in only 2 hours a day for a week! It was so nice that the instructors and volunteers got to personally know each of the kids. We’ll be back next year!
All in all, this is a great place where my kids are learning skills that will benefit them for the rest of their life. It’s not a super fancy place, but I’d trade fancy surroundings for quality, personal instruction any day!