Contemporary Arts Center to launch art classes for children

The Contemporary Arts Center recently moved from its longtime location in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., to a space in Alios, a lighting company at 1217 S. Main St. The gallery has long been known for cutting-edge, challenging art, but at age 25, the CAC is adding the pitter-patter of little feet.

“They got a grant to do art programs for kids,” said art instructor Kim Bavington. “I’ve been in the community a long time. I’ve been teaching art to kids since 1990, so they asked me if I’d do it.”

The grant from Wells Fargo is slated to supplement tuition for four monthly children’s art days at CAC. The classes are set to be similar to the ones Bavington has taught for years from her home studio.

“We’ve got two sessions,” Bavington said. “There’s a 45-minute Parent and Me class for 3- and 4-year-olds. The shorter time is geared toward their attention span. For kids 5 to 12, we have Kid Art Class, which teaches technique and history.”

In the Kid Art Class, Bavington has her students work from an established artist’s work, learning not only how the artist achieves the art but also who the artist’s influences are.

“They get the history while building skills with different mediums,” Bavington said. “Each class is a different medium, like painting on canvas with acrylics or drawing with chalk pastels. We usually figure out what the project will be about a week before the class.”

Bavington teaches from her downtown home studio three days a week and at Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church, 2022 Spring Gate Lane in Summerlin, one day a week. She also teaches private lessons. On Jan. 8, Bavington was working with a dozen Kid Art Class students showing them acrylic painting and the work of a Canadian artist.

“I thought at first it would be really hard, but it’s coming out a little easier than I thought,” said 9-year-old Alex Rushton. “When you look at all the branches that split up all this color, it’s OK when you see it in parts.”

Alex has been studying with Bavington for three years and isn’t shy about her love of art.

“I like everything about painting,” she said. “It’s fun.”

The monthly Kid Art Class program is set to begin Jan. 25. Parent and Me classes for children 3 to 4 accompanied by a parent are scheduled from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and cost $15 per session. Kid Art Class sessions for children 5 to 12 are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon and cost $30. Sessions are also scheduled Feb. 22, March 22 and April 26. Discounts are offered for students who prepay for four sessions.

For more information, visit lasvegascac.org or call 702-496-0569.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 702-380-4532.