While out running errands in early January, I was excited to see a new store opening near Kohl's in Brownsburg. With two boys who love to draw and paint, Children's Art Classes piqued my interest! I took them to the studio's January open house, and had the honor of meeting the owner, Marie Kirkeiner, CAC's founder (Barbara Gay) and President (Stephanie Larsen) who came in from Florida to support the opening.
I was impressed by the studio space, the variety of classes and techniques the instructors cover, and the fact that CAC has a highly-structured curriculum that exceeds many school-level programs. I followed up with Marie with a few questions to help you learn more about CAC.
| "Our children need art more than ever in these times we're living in. Help them experience beauty, and color, and creativity by engaging them in art. It's going to touch their hearts and brains! Learn. Do. Create! It's fun and empowering!" --Marie Kirkeiner |
 The CAC team: (L to R) Founder Barbara Gay, President Stephanie Larsen, instructor Ailish Forner, instructor Tricia Packard, and owner Marie Kirkeiner. |  CAC has large rooms for instruction, firing ceramics, storing supplies, and hosting events. |  My boys learning from Tricia during CAC's January open house. |
- What made you want to open a Children's Art Classes studio? There is a huge need for studio art facilities in our community where young artists may use paint and ceramics, as well as receive art instruction outside of school. We see plenty of sports and music facilities, but few art facilities. I spent many months researching curriculums and businesses before I decided on Children's Art Classes. I have been a professional music educator and fine arts advocate for over 30 years in my career. I believe in the value of arts education in childhood development. My mother was an art teacher and my youngest daughter is a Studio Art major in college. I have been surrounded by visual art and music most of my life, so I am thrilled to provide a great art facility and curriculum right here in Brownsburg!
- What makes CAC unique from school-based or other independent art education? Children's Art Classes provides a 9-month curriculum of weekly studio art instruction. It has an eight-year curriculum that progresses with each child's skills, and it's a place students may go who want to develop greater technique and artistic exploration. The curriculum has been developed by a master art teacher named, Barbara Gay, the founder of CAC. She is especially known for her intensive drawing techniques and emphasis on understanding value, texture, and contour. The curriculum covers 40 different areas of art. CAC headquarters is located a couple hours away from Savanah College of Art and Design, and they collaborate on the CAC curriculum.
- Tell me about your staff and what specialties or techniques they bring to the studio. We have a great staff that implements the fantastic CAC curriculum. Ailish Forner has a degree in Art Education from the Herron School of Art at IUPUI. Tricia Packard is an accomplished Watercolor Artist and has a vast amount of experience leading and teaching students of all ages. I (Marie Kirkeiner, Owner) am a licensed Music Educator with over 30 years' experience teaching.
- How can families learn more about what CAC has to offer? Parents are welcome to call any time, and tours are available by appointment. Once students experience the engaging lessons, they get hooked. The best way to learn about us is to come to an Open House and tour the facilities. Our next Open House will be Feb. 5, 2022 from 10:00am-2:00pm. We can still enroll students throughout this winter. Please email or phone for a consultation if you have any questions prior to registration, and we will be glad to discuss the curriculum and the way classes are done. Most of our students registered without ever seeing the facility first! We will also have summer camps and workshops for those who want to try a shorter class.
Contact Children's Art Classes (Brownsburg) at 463-710-5101
