Art may be hard, but it's not as hard as backgammon, with its convoluted interplay of checkers and stones and rigid rules about when you can and cannot throw the board in the fireplace. Jump into a beginner-friendly activity with today's Groupon: for $79, you get four adult art classes (a $170 value) at Art for Fun! Studio and Gallery, located opposite Phoenix College near the Encanto-Palmcroft and Willo neighborhoods. All four classes should be used within three months of each other.
Art for Fun! fosters the latent artistic gifts of erstwhile Michelangelos in guided 2.5-hour classes. Owner and artistic pedagogue Barbara Becker leads pupils through a variety of fun, creative crafts, in disciplines such as glass fusing, silk painting, mosaic making, ceramics, collaging, and more. If you seek precision, learn how to use rich pigments and sharp brushes to whip up a stunning acrylic portrait of your favorite Star Wars bounty hunter, or if your fondness lies with impressionism, use watercolors to render an airy portrait of your favorite Star Wars bounty hunter.
Regardless of the featured medium, classes are kept small so that students get focused, one-on-one guidance while unearthing their artistic abilities within the spacious, inspiration-imbuing studio. No artistic experience is necessary, though materials are not included for all classes.
Art for Fun! Studio and Gallery
Barbara Becker—the owner of Art for Fun! Studio and Gallery and an artist herself—believes that anyone can learn art. She welcomes students of all skill levels into her cheerful studio, where they work with media such as watercolors, acrylics, and ceramics while receiving one-on-one instruction. Kids and teens can also join in on the creative celebration during special classes or private parties.