Registration is now open for spring classes from the University of Alabama at Birmingham ArtPlay with opportunities for dance, acting, hand quilting, writing and more.
ArtPlay’s mission is to make arts accessible to a broad audience and cultivate an understanding of and appreciation for the arts. Most classes begin in late February and meet weekly. Classes are available from preschool to adult. Private instruction is also available for a variety of skills.
Explore ArtPlay’s offerings online at alysstephens.org/classes. Be sure to log in or create an account to register. A discount is available for UAB students and employees when registering by phone at 205-975-4769.
Young children
- Creative Movement for ages 3-5, Feb. 27-April 10, with teaching artist Holly Herzfeld. Young movers and shakers will explore creativity through movement to music and rhythms. Cost is $80.
- Visual Arts Start for ages 3-5, March 1-April 12, with teaching artist Alecia Martinez, who will lead our smallest artists alongside their guardians in an exploration of color and art through a variety of mini projects. Cost is $60.
Elementary and middle school
- The Art of Emotions for ages 5-9, March 1-April 12. Join UAB Arts in Medicine Director Kimberly Kirklin and teaching artist Alecia Martinez to explore emotions through visual art. Cost is $100.
- Hip-Hop Dance for ages 7-12, Feb. 28-March 11, with teaching artist Jarvis Ward, who uses his training in hip-hop to explore one of the dance world’s most exciting forms. Cost is $125.
- Mindful Movement for ages 6-11, Feb. 27-April 10, with teaching artist Holly Herzfeld. In this class built for children, students will practice mindfulness and stress reduction through both stillness and movement that explores physical awareness, resiliency and social integration. , Cost is $65.
- Artplay Kids Acting for ages 6-12, March 4-April 15, with teaching artist Jennifer Salvant, who will guide participants through the basics of theater through games, improvisation, monologues, scene work, voice and diction. Cost is $80.
High school and adults
- Beginning Tap for ages 16 and up, March 2-April 13. Get rhythm in this beginning, introductory tap class with musical theater dynamo and teaching artist Reid Watson. Cost is $100.
- Beginning Acting for ages 16 and up, March 4-April 15, with teaching artist Jennifer Salvant. Discover the wonders of acting in this class, perfect for those who have always wanted to try acting class or public performance but never taken the leap. Cost is $100.
- Mindful Movement for Adults, for ages 16 and up, Feb. 27-April 10. Teaching artist Holly Herzfeld will use improvisation and movement techniques to help students explore emotions and identities and dabble in other art forms such as visual arts, rhythm work and music. No previous dance experience required. Cost is $65.
- Creative Non-Fiction Strikes Back for adults, Jan. 4-Feb. 8. This class is for former students of Write Your Life or Creative Nonfiction with teaching artist Audrey Atkins, to explore new techniques and grow into more confident writers. Cost is $100.
- More Than Standup for adults, Feb. 28-April 11. Teaching artist Carla “The Truth” Youngblood leads this intro to writing and performing standup comedy with a focus on finding the funny in everyday life situations, discovering your unique comedy voice and developing stage presence. This class is great for people who are afraid of public speaking, required to do presentations or want to do standup. Cost is $120.
- Sew Special: Hand Quilting for adults, Feb. 28-March 21. Teaching artist Jackie Kim of Say Luv Studio leads this intermediate hand-stitching quilting workshop. Students will practice the tools of the trade, piecing techniques, quilting and binding by hand and come away with a finished quilted tablet/computer cover. Cost is $125 plus materials.