ART
CLASSES
preserving childhood through the arts
watch this intro video on
LIGHT BOX ART
FALL
CLASSES
2026
9 WEEKS/$225
STARTING OCTOBER 14
In just 9 weeks, we’ll learn all about light box art—crafting a totally unique world out of paper, recycled materials, and diverse mediums, culminating in a single, beautiful custom image that we'll wrap as a perfect Christmas gift!
Classes are on WEDNESDAY (6pm for ages 6-11 - and 7pm for ages 12+) at the Creative Pictou County Artist Studio inside the deCoste Culture Hub at 99 Water Street in Pictou. Everyone is welcome.
COMING SOON!
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Roar Against the Machine
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Scottish Immigrant
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Rev. James Drummond MacGregor
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Lord Gundermill
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Campfire
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Treasure of the East
WHAT YOU
CAN EXPECT
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That's what it's all about. Dreaming. Playing. Exploring new ideas. Solving big problems. And expressing deep feelings. There is no art without imagination.
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Bob Ross said it best: "there are no mistakes." We’re all artists. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a brand new explorer, YOU will be encouraged every step of the way. Championed. Affirmed as the artist you already are!
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Art is serious business, but that doesn't mean art is stuffy. Art is fun. Playful. Experimental. Full of trying-this and doing-that. You can't do art wrong. Expect to fall, and get back up again!
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No matter your experience level or artistic chops—you will build your skillset. Light box art is a 'nose-to-tail' process covering many artistic fields and mediums. We aren't looking for perfection. Just looking to grow!
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Make no mistake about it - you will make really cool art. Using all different kinds of mediums. Learning all kinds of new skills. To make something entirely unique. And really, really cool.
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WEEK ONE: let’s get started! There’s lots to do. In just one session we have to get acquainted, dream up a dreamy scene, and start sketching. World building has begun!
WEEKS TWO/THREE/FOUR: pencils, pen & ink, watercolours Our brains are firing. Ideas are flowing. And it's time to put them down on paper. First with pencils, keeping an eye on size, scale, and form. Then we’ll dabble with watercolours, washes, and pigmentation. Finally, we’ll bring in the ink, outlining our characters and shapes in rich black—making them ready to cut out and set into our scene.
WEEKS FIVE/SIX: building and construction We’re ready to build! Paper houses! Card-stock trees! Cardboard sleighs! Always paying close attention to size and scale, crafting all the 3D elements of our world.
WEEK SEVEN: world building & assembly We’ve got the characters. We’ve got the props. We’ve got buildings and furnishings galore! It’s time to assemble them and get our sets ready for the infamous photo!
WEEK EIGHT: photo time It’s time for the camera to come out. And for all our work to come together in one beautiful image, befitting a perfect Christmas gift.
WEEK NINE: Christmas party & wrapping time! The end has come. With photo in hand—and wrapping paper at the ready—we’ll spend our final night packaging up our photo and frame for that special someone on Christmas morning. We’ll even have treats, music, and hot chocolate. It will be a Merry Christmas time!
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
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Nothing! Except your imagination. A good attitude. Patience (that's a big one). And an open mind. Light box art almost never comes out exactly the way we think it will—and that's the magic of it!
All supplies, materials, tools, and light box components are included in the class fee. -
No problem. Missing one class, even two, won't crush your project. However, weeks 8 and 9 are what we'd call unmissable. That's when we're taking photos of our world (week 8) and wrapping them up like presents (week 9).
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Check out our inclement weather policy on our policy page.
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45–50 minutes tops! Time is precious. We're working out of a rented space and need to be mindful of other groups, staff, and classes. So—as hard as it is—do your best to show up right on time so we don't miss a single minute of creating.
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In the Creative Pictou County Artist Studio inside the deCoste Culture Hub at 99 Water Street in Pictou.
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Beginner Light Box (ages 6–11): October 14 at 6:00 PM
Beginner Light Box (ages 12+): October 14 at 7:00 PM
Beginner Adult Workshops: See schedule
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It’s best to dress for a mess. Art can get messy—especially black ink! If you care about your favorite graphic tee, it's best to leave it at home and wear that old ratty sweater instead.
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Nope! Feel free to leave and roam. Your child might actually prefer the space to focus. Pictou has a beautiful, walkable waterfront, and as a bonus—the library in the building is open during class!
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We offer a full refund up until one week before the start of the first class (October 7). Unfortunately, after that date, we are unable to offer refunds of any kind.