Thunderbird Arts Center, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, is a satellite location of Phoenix Center for the Arts, serving our North Phoenix communities. The facility opened to the public in the fall of 2016, and began offering classes for adults and youth year-round.
Students can register for a variety of art classes at this location, including: Ceramics, Mosaics, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Mosaics, Youth Art, and more!
Note: Click the “Sign Up” button at the bottom of a class description to register through the Center’s Mindbody registration platform. A Mindbody account is required to register for classes at the Center. Questions about registration or financial aid? Call (602) 254-3100 or email contacts@phoenixcenterforthearts.org to speak to a Patron Services Associate to speak to a Patron Services Associate.
Prior to arriving for in-person classes, students are required to digitally sign our Student Agreement.
Address:
Thunderbird Arts Center
1106 E. Grovers Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85022
(located in the building behind the Mountain View Community Center)
Hours of operation:
Our hours vary based on class schedules. Please contact our office to confirm the weekly hours.
Phone:
(602) 293-3267
Painting exercises: WATERCOLOR LANDSCAPE
Date: March 16, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 0/10
Description: 3-hour workshop with a step-by-step instruction. We will explore working with watercolors and applying linear and aerial perspective in painting a landscape. All materials provided.
Materials: All materials provided
Prerequisite: No experience required
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50.00
Expressive Painting Studio: Oil and Acrylic (TB 11 weeks)
Date: March 16, 2026 5:30 pm - May 25, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 4/6
Description: This open-level painting class is designed for students of all experience levels—from beginners picking up a brush for the first time to advanced painters refining their skills. Working in either oil or acrylic paint, students are free to choose their own subject matter using photos or reference materials that inspire them.
The class emphasizes creative freedom while building strong painting fundamentals. Students will receive individualized guidance on composition, color mixing, brushwork, layering, and developing depth and texture. Beginners will gain confidence through step-by-step support, while more experienced painters will be encouraged to push their style, experiment with techniques, and deepen their personal artistic voice.
This class is ideal for artists who enjoy a relaxed, studio-style environment, value one-on-one feedback, and want the flexibility to paint what they love—whether it’s portraits, landscapes, still life, or abstract work. Come explore, experiment, and grow as a painter at your own pace while being supported and inspired in a creative community.
Materials: Bring a reference photo of what you would like to work on
Prerequisite: No Previous Experience Required
Duration: 11 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $325.00
Painting exercises: DESERT SUNSET
Date: March 23, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 1/10
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: Three-hour acrylic workshop with a focus on the desert sky at sunset. We will discuss and practice all main elements of landscape painting- composition, proportion, linear and aerial perspective, gradation and more. Step-by-step instructions. This workshop is beneficial for all students interested in realistic and impressionistic painting. All materials provided.
Materials: None
Duration: 1 Day
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Please arrive 15 minutes before your class begins.
Oil Portraits
Date: March 24, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 10/10
Description: Have you ever wanted paint from life capture someone soul? This is class for you we will learn a process in oils to capture someone likeness, understand proportions and lighting and color mixing from life to the pallet.
Materials: Supplies termoid mineral spirts, oil painting brushes from small to large, Oil paints variety of colors key colors yellow ocher, 2 types of red, 2 types of blue solid titanium white. canvas board 8x 10 to 18 x24
Prerequisite: none
Duration: 2.75 hours
Ages: 18+
Cost: $50.00
Raising the Bar with your Photography (Thunderbird)
Date: March 26, 2026 6:00 pm - April 16, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 9/9
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Bill Guy (He/Him)
Description: If you have already advance past the Auto Setting on your camera and are looking to be more creative with your images then this class is for you. This 3 week class will help you improve on your photographic vision and work. Knowing the difference between Auto and Priority settings is the first step. Now let's understand how a lens choice can completely change the look of your image. Add to this understanding the rules of composition and when to break them. This course also includes using some basic Lightroom and Photoshop tips to enhance your images. Plus Bill encourages you to bring in your images for review and comment (no ridicule just positive critiques and suggestions) and, with your permission, he will do an edit in real time. You should have a good understanding of your camera for this class.
Topics
Long vs Wide angle
Time of day
Mood vs feeling
Color vs Black and White
What is at the edge of your image
What are the rules of Composition and when to break them
Materials: Camera or Cell Phone
Prerequisite: Should have some basic understanding of your Digital camera and settings
Duration: 4 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $100.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Painting exercises: FLOWERS
Date: March 30, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 4/10
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3 hour acrylic workshop with a focus on flowers. Step-by-step instructions. Students will practice composition, scale, color mixing, brushstrokes, and foreshortening. All materials provided.
Materials: None
Duration: 3 hours
Prerequisites: No experience required
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Figure Tuesday
Date: March 31, 2026 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 10/10
Description: Strike a pose this Wednesday. The model will be positioned in a vignette scene to ignite your creativity. You are free to utilize any media and skills you prefer to express the vision you have in mind. Whether you choose to go abstract or remain realistic is entirely your decision. The instructor will remain quiet unless you personally request assistance with your goals. This class is great for students to practice their skills or try a new style with eductor on board give personal sound board for your personal artistic journey.
Materials: Student bring what want
Prerequisite: none
Duration: 4 hours
Ages: 18+
Cost: $55.00
Painting Exercise: CACTI
Date: April 06, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 8/10
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Instructor: Hristi Wilbur
Description: 3 hour workshop with a focus on cacti in Spring. Step-by-step instruction. We will discuss how to shade with color, color mixing, composition, scale and gradation. This workshop can benefit all students interested in realistic landscape painting. All materials provided.
Materials: No materials required
Duration: 3 hours
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $50
Intermediate / Advanced Acrylic Painting 4 weeks (Thunderbird)
Date: April 06, 2026 6:00 pm - April 27, 2026 9:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 10/12
Description: Landscapes, florals, water scenes, figure work, abstract, still life. Students take their work home each week and bring it back to work on it the following week.
Materials: All materials will be supplied by instructor.
Prerequisite: My beginner painting class, or another beginner painting class
Duration: 4 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $125.00
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird - 4 weeks)
Date: April 07, 2026 6:30 pm - April 28, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Great for beginners and intermediates. Step-by-step follow along tutorial to produce a completed painting in 2 hours! Always room to personalize/modify your art piece. Always fun! 4 weeks
Materials: All materials will be provided.
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85.00
Fun & Easy Acrylic Painting (Thunderbird - 4 weeks)
Date: April 08, 2026 6:30 pm - April 29, 2026 8:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: Great for beginners and intermediates. Step-by-step follow along tutorial to produce a completed painting in 2 hours! Always room to personalize/modify your art piece. Always fun! 4 weeks
Materials: All materials will be provided.
Prerequisites: None
Ages: 16+
Cost: $85.00
Creative Meditation (18+) Thunderbird
Date: April 12, 2026 12:00 pm - May 17, 2026 1:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Meditation has many benefits including relaxation, stress relief, improved mood, focus, and creativity. You will learn various meditation practices including breathwork, awareness, visualization, movement and stillness. Each class will include instruction, guided meditation, silent time to process, journal or sketch, and a closing circle to share any experiences or insights.
This is a flexible, safe and inclusive class that is respectful of all bodies and people from all backgrounds and spiritual or religious affiliations. You are free to meditate, move your body, and participate according to your own level of comfort and ability.
Materials: *Yoga mat (recommended) and any other items that would help you to feel comfortable meditating, such as a cushion, blanket, eye mask, socks. Journal and pen or pencil for making notes or sketches (optional).
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Duration: 6 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $120.00
Story Cloth (Thunderbird)
Date: April 12, 2026 1:30 pm - May 17, 2026 3:00 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Around the world, people have told their stories and shared their history and culture through fabric arts. Story cloths are created with appliqued fabric and 3-dimensional elements like dolls and embellishments. In this class, you will learn about the history of this folk art form, and you will design and create your own story cloth. We will continue the tradition of creating story cloths in community. This will be an opportunity to share stories and collaborate with others. Sewing is not required. Traditional story cloths are sewn by hand, but if you don’t want to do that, you can use fabric glue instead.
Materials: Sewing needles, thread, needle threader OR fabric glue (if you don’t want to sew)
Straight pins or safety pins
Pincushion
Scrap fabrics
Fabric shears/scissors
Pencil and eraser
Ruler or straight edge
Sketch paper 9”x12, 8.5”x11 or similar size
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Duration: 6 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $150.00
Emotional Healing Through Art Journaling (Thunderbird)
Date: April 12, 2026 9:00 am - May 17, 2026 11:00 am
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 12/12
Description: Learn how to use art journaling to explore your inner world and process emotions, thoughts and feelings. Intuitive art forms like drawing, painting, collage, visualization, journal writing, movement and meditation are healing modalities that can be combined to support your well-being. In this class, our focus is on the creative process and experience, not the finished product. There is a wise inner voice within each of us. Art journaling is a way to connect with your inner wisdom and allow it to guide you.
Materials: Watercolor paints (any kind)
Markers or gel pens, assorted colors
Pencil and eraser
Waterproof ink pen
Notebook or journal and pen for writing
Watercolor or mixed media paper sketchbook, about 9 x 12” or 8.5 x 11”
Watercolor Brush
Paint palette, water jar, paper towels, pencil, soft eraser,
Other items (optional)
masking tape or washi tape
Other water-soluble media such as watercolor pencils, crayons or markers if you enjoy them
Wax crayons or oil pastels
White gel pen or white ink
Stencils, stamps
Prerequisite: No Experience Required
Duration: 6 weeks
Ages: 18+
Cost: $180.00
Getting a Grip on your Digital Camera (Thunderbird)
Date: April 21, 2026 6:00 pm - May 05, 2026 7:30 pm
Location: Thunderbird Arts Center
Available Slots: 7/9
Students or Guardians must bring ID to the first class.
Description: If your digital camera has been the bane of your creative expression or you just want to start taking better images, then this class is for you. Bill will help you understand both the creative settings of your camera and show you how to create better images. You are encouraged to bring a camera to class and Bill will help in getting your camera set up for getting the shots you want. This class will also help you get better photos even with your cell phone.
Materials: Should have a camera or cell phone for photos
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 3 weeks
Ages: 16+
Cost: $55.00
Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins.