Media contact: Shannon Thomason
Update:
In-person classes planned for ArtPlay this spring will be postponed for one month, due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and transmissibility in our community. Classes set to begin the first week of February will now begin the first week of March.
Register now for spring classes from the University of Alabama at Birmingham ArtPlay to learn a new skill, hone your craft, build relationships and create lasting memories. The classes include writing, dance, visual art, music, acting, sewing and more.
Registration is open now. Class fees vary based on classes, with a discount available for UAB student and employees when registering by phone at 205-975-4769. Explore ArtPlay’s offerings online at www.alysstephens.org/classes. Private instruction is also available for a variety of skills, as well as group classes provided by local teaching artists.
Pre-K
Random Acts of Art, ages 4-6, 3:30-4:15 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2-April 13, with teaching artist Tonya Wise. Each week, children will create a visual art project that they can then give to someone special. The cost is $70 per each child and guardian.
My First Ballet Class, ages 3-5, 5:15-6 p.m. Thursdays, March 3-April 14, with teaching artist Brooke Lofton. Beginning ballet students will be introduced to classical ballet, fundamental positions and movements to build their foundation for dance. Cost is $100.
Elementary/Middle School
All About Uke, ages 7-12, 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays, March 1-April 12, with teaching artist Mary Elizabeth Neal. This joyous art form will introduce kids to silly songs and the basics of playing music to share with family and friends. It is cool to learn an instrument, and the ukulele might be one of the coolest. Students will need to provide their own ukulele to participate. Cost is $65.
Random Acts of Art, ages 11-14, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2-April 13, with teaching artist Tonya Wise. This class will focus on the creation of something educational and engaging to create a shared experience of art. Cost is $85.
ArtPlay Kids Acting A, ages 7-10, 10-11 a.m. Saturdays, March 5-May 14, with actor and educator Darrell Revel. He will guide participants through the basics of theater. Students will learn theater games, improvisation, monologues, scene work, stage makeup application and voice. Cost is $120.
ArtPlay Kids Acting B, ages 11-4, 10-11 a.m. Saturdays, March 5-May 14, with actor and educator Darrell Revel. He will guide participants through the basics of theater. Students will learn theater games, improvisation, monologues, scene work, stage makeup application and voice. Cost is $120.
High School
Register for ArtPlay’s spring classes at Aly’s Stephens Center’s website.
Ukulele Orchestra for Teens, ages 16 and older, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 1-April 26, with teaching artist Mary Elizabeth Neal. This class will include fundamentals of ukulele playing plus lots of fun songs that can be played solo or within a group. The class will culminate in a group performance. Cost is $125.
Sew Special - Beginning Sashiko for Teens, ages 13-17, 5-6 p.m. Thursdays, March 3-17, with Say Luv Studio’s Jackie Kim. The class will help participants explore the traditional Japanese style of embroidery, sashiko. Students will learn about this style and the basics of hand stitching, get familiar with tools of the trade, and come away with a finished embroidery. Cost is $65 plus materials.
Beginning Tap for Teens, ages 14 and older, 6-7 p.m. Thursdays, March 3-April 14, with teaching artist and musical theater dynamo Reid Watson. Students will learn tap techniques like flap, buffalo and shuffle and get nice exercise in this six-week introductory course. Cost is $100.
Adults
Ukulele Orchestra for Adults, ages 16 and older, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 1-April 26, with teaching artist Mary Elizabeth Neal. The class will help participants learn how to play ukulele and improve musical skills. Cost is $125.
The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction, ages 16 and older, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, March 1-April 12, with teaching artist Audrey Atkins. This class will help students write with clarity and confidence and provide knowledge about the art and craft of writing creative nonfiction. It will include constructive feedback, in-class writing time, and Q-and-A sessions. Cost is $90.
Think Ink! Ink Art Painting, ages 18 and older, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, March 2-23, with teaching artist Tammy Hayes. This beginner’s class is about learning how to play with colors, relaxing and getting outside your comfort zone using different tools and techniques to explore your imagination. Cost is $90.
Beginning Tap for Adults, ages 14 and older, 6-7 p.m. Thursdays, March 3-April 14, with teaching artist Reid Watson. The musical theater dynamo will provide instruction on different steps and techniques of flap, buffalo and shuffle in this introductory course. Cost is $100.
Sew Special - Beginning Sashiko, ages 18 and older, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, March 3-17, with teaching artist Jackie Kim. This primer class will educate students about sashiko and the basics of sewing. Cost is $65 plus materials.
To register for ArtPlay’s spring classes, click here.
ArtPlay’s mission is to make arts accessible to a broad audience and cultivate an understanding of and appreciation for the arts. ArtPlay is committed to providing meaningful interaction with renowned artists and exciting opportunities for artistic growth and development for the community. The ArtPlay house has been renovated to provide quality art programming for every generation of aspiring artist, a community venue with an array of programming for creative learning and a beautiful setting for special events.
Safety is UAB’s priority. The pandemic is a fluid situation that UAB is monitoring, in consultation with infectious disease and public health experts; classes will be subject to change based on the latest COVID-19 safety guidelines.