El Arte Uncorked, West Des Moines

Backed by a master's degree in art education, 30 years of teaching experience, and an art-therapy certificate, Connie Pruitt, along with her instructors, make the painting process easy and fun for students regardless of their skill level. Each class she leads progresses through a project step by step: a dab of yellow here, a swirl of blue there, and before you know it, Starry Night appears. Over the course of two hours, Pruitt reveals numerous tips and techniques, helping students build up their confidence with brushes. The painting of the night changes regularly, including not only reproductions of famous works but also seasonal imagery such as hearts and palm trees.