Art Classes – Kids, Youth and Teens
2021 Winter and Spring Schedules are now posted.
NOTICE: If Muskoka goes into the Gray Zone classes will be replaced with Online Zoom.
Kids and Youth Art Programs are about exploring the expressive arts. The goal of our classes is to unleash the young artist within. How? By providing the tools by teaching various techniques and exposing various media; by providing time for practice and play in an encouraging atmosphere; and by providing opportunities to apply new skills in free time moments.
Art Classes, Camps and Workshops
Start up dates are now the week of Feb 22nd due to Provincial Lock down.
NOTICE: If Muskoka goes into the Gray Zone Cartooning classes will be replaced with Online Zoom.
Art classes have returned to the Studio but we will continue to offer the classes on ZOOM together with the Studio students for those who would prefer to stay home.
2021 Winter and Fall programs have been posted.
Artful-Kids In Studio and Online Classes
NOTICE: If Muskoka goes into the Gray Zone classes will be replaced with Online Zoom.
Exploration, experimenting and play are key to our children’s development. Tactile learning, a chance to process, practice and apply various skills without fear of judgment is an important aspect of child development skills, creative thinking and expression.
Art is a tool which allows for such processing. It creates joy, promotes self worth and helps to develop self confidence.
All materials are supplied
ongoing art classes
AFTER-SCHOOL January to June 2021
Creative Art Journey Ages 6 – 12
Class Start Up dates are now the week of Feb 22nd 2021 due to Provincial Lock Down
Instructors Catherine Luce and Diane Finlayson:
NOTICE: If Muskoka goes into the Gray Zone classes will be replaced with Online Zoom.
These classes are designed to peak interest, ask questions, learn to solve design and layout challenges creatively. We continue to learn and apply various skills and techniques in a variety of media.
Catherine will be adding a flavour to the classes teaching How to make puppets, painting animals and characters.
At this time, encouraging the young artist to experiment and to develop a personal style is key. Each of us has a personal signature……..art is a great way to discover that!
IF CLASSES HAVE BEGUN. PLEASE CALL 705 784 0380 OR E-mail Gord at gordfinlayson@gmail.com to see if spaces are still available.
Tuesdays Afternoons 4:15 to 5:45 PM With Catherine Luce
Wednesday Afternoons 4:15 to 5:45 PM With Diane Finlayson
Artful Home School Kids
NOTICE: If Muskoka goes into the Gray Zone classes will be replaced with Online Zoom.
Wednesday Mornings 9:30 to 11:00
Classes of 8 children in studio. (Wearing a mask is required while circulating about)
Drop your child off and relax.
Diane Finlayson
Taught by Diane Finlayson
Art allows for key processing. It creates joy, promotes self worth and helps to develop self confidence AND creates an atmosphere for creative problem solving!
Exploration, experimenting and play are key to our children’s development. Tactile learning, a chance to process, practice and apply various skills without fear of judgment is an important aspect of child development skills, creative thinking and expression.
These classes are designed to peak interest, ask questions, learn to solve design and layout challenges creatively. We continue to learn and apply various skills and techniques in a variety of media.
Diane is a seasoned teacher having worked with children for well over 40 years. Experience teaches one to listen and to follow where the energy flows. Diane brings a malleability to the lessons…..there will always be a lesson plan and a purpose, and then there will always be the magic that ensues when a child expresses.
Register Here.
Cartooning with Jenn in Studio and OnLine
NOTICE: If Muskoka goes into the Gray Zone classes will be replaced with Online Zoom.
Combined Online and In Studio Classes..Ages 10 to 14++
Offering 2 Classes. Advanced on Monday and Beg / Int. on Thursdays
Jennifer’s goal is to really help to develop and free the imagination of her students through fun learning experiences.
Monday’s 4:00 to 5:30 – For Advanced Students (by invitation)
Learn how to apply shadowing techniques to your art and more in depth ways to draw the human body as well as backgrounds to enhance your art work.
Thursdays 4:00 to 5:30 – For Beginner to Intermediate Students
Learn the basics of art in cartooning by understanding shape, shading, and planning to create art pieces.
***** ADVANCED CLASS *****
NEW: 4 Week Zoom Class due to Lock Down
Mondays: Jan 4th to Jan 25th (4 weeks) Costs: $80.00 plus HST.
Mondays: Feb 1st to Mar 22nd (7 weeks) Costs: $140.00 plus HST.
No Class Feb 15th Family Day.
Mondays: Mar 29th to May 10th (6 weeks) Costs: $120.00 plus HST.
No Class April 5th Easter Monday.
Mondays: May 17th to June 28th 4:00 to 5:30 PM (6 weeks) Costs: $120.00 plus HST.
No Class May 24th Victoria Day
Even though classes have started there is space available. Please call 705-784-0380 or e-mail. Gord gordfinlayson@gmail.com
BEGINNERS / INTERMEDIATE Classes
NEW: 4 Week ZOOM Class due to Lock Down
Thursdays: Jan 7th to Jan 28th (4 weeks) Costs: $80.00 plus HST.
Thursdays: Feb 4th to Mar 25th (8 weeks) Costs: $160.00 plus HST.
Thursdays: April 1st to May 13th (7 weeks) Costs: $140.00 plus HST
Thursdays: May 20th to June 24th (6 weeks) Costs: $120.00 plus HST
Even though classes have started there is space available. Please call 705-784-0380 or e-mail. Gord gordfinlayson@gmail.com
Jennifer was interviewed by the Huntsville Doppler. To learn more about Jenn please view this great interview complete with samples of her work.
Workshop Themes facilitated by Diane.
Our Teachers
2021 Summer Camps
We have 7 very engaging Camp Themes this year as we strive to captivate your children’s imaginations, creative and varied interests. Our facilitators are well experienced and very excited to be sharing their craft and specialty with your children.
Diane Finlayson: Camp Director, owner of MTJA, Visual Arts facilitator
Jennifer Snowden: Visual Art Facilitator MTJA, Cartooning
Martina Kruger: Certified Yoga Facilitator MTJA, Fitness Instructor
Una Pape: Visual Art Facilitator, Certified Elementary School Teacher
Catherine Luce: Visual Art Facilitator MTJA, Creative Expression (Sheridan Illustration)
Due to the limit of 10 persons gathering in place at once, this including all staff and facilitators, there will be no student helpers this year nor will there be an Assistant Visual Arts Facilitator. Eight (8) Children only will be permitted to register per camp session.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Gord or Diane.
705-784-0380 or gordfinlayson@gmail.com or dfinlayson4@gmail.com
For More General Information Click Information.
For Camp protocols click Protocols For Camp Waiver form Click Waiver:
Camp 1. July 5th to July 9th
Creative Visual Art! Get Wild with Sculpting Animal Art! Ages 6-12
Facilitated by Catherine Luce & Diane Finlayson
Come explore animals! Create your own!
This camp is about developing creative expression … about adventures in seeing everything with different eyes, using imagination to bridge visual art with expression. We will engage in making animal sculptures and as well, painting and drawing with various media. Activities of this camp are designed to foster confidence, cooperation, respect, and allowing the kids to experience independence, teamwork and self regulation relating to a positive self expression.
During morning session, the children will focus on animal character development, building animal sculpture creations with Catherine Luce using cardboard, papier macher and paint to make the animals of choice! During the afternoon, the children will be engaged in expressing their animal creation(s) with a variety of wet and dry media with Diane Finlayson. Exploring form, and texture.
To Register Click the Register Button or Contact Gord at 705-784-0380 or e-mail
Camp 2. July 12th to July 16th
Creative Visual Arts! Your own Storybook Characters Come Alive! Ages 6 to 12.
Facilitators Catherine Luce, Jenn Snowden & Diane Finlayson
Create a Story Book of Your own Character & your own Illustrations!
This camp is about developing creative expression, activities are designed to foster confidence about seeing possibilities in everything with different eyes, using imagination to bridge visual art with expression.
During the morning session the children will learn about character development, illustration & story-boarding with Catherine Luce. They will look at a classic fairy tales so each camper can make his or her own unique version and create a book with various media. The afternoon will give the children an opportunity to work with cartoon instructor Jenn Snowden to experience support in character development, Disney Style. The latter part of the day will give the children an opportunity of free time, with Diane Finlayson, to work on an individual particular project with medium of choice.
To Register Click the Register Button or Contact Gord at 705-784-0380 or e-mail
Camp 3. July 19th to July 23th
Visual Arts! Musical Instruments! Fitness! Ages 6-12
Facilitators Una Pape, Diane Finlayson & Martina Kruger
Create Musical Instruments from Found Objects …Tap into your own rhythm!
This camp is about time to develop skills and confidence to express what we experience in a variety of ways, both in studio and out.
The morning session is an explorative adventure for using found objects from our studio minutia collection, recycling, upcycling and nature to create musical instruments. Exploring sounds, creating visual representations and moving to music will be part of our adventures with Una Pape. Early afternoon sketching out with various media including pencil, pencil crayon, ink, pastel, water colour and experimenting with various painting techniques with Diane Finlayson.
The children will finish the day with Martina Kruger moving their bodies in a variety of different ways and challenging their fitness skills through various activities. Children will discuss the importance of physical fitness and health & well being and ways we can easily incorporate these into our daily lives.
To Register Click the Register Button or Contact Gord at 705-784-0380 or e-mail
Camp 4. July 26th to July 30th
Creative Nature Art! Yoga Adventure Camp! Ages 6-12
Facilitators Diane Finlayson Martina Kruger (Yoga Instructor)
Yoga Poses – Self Expression & Mixed Media Art with Found Materials!
This camp is about experiencing and seeing everything with different perspective and of paying attention to everything around us. Activities of this camp are designed to foster confidence, gratitude, healthy living, respect, and allowing the kids to experience independence, teamwork and self regulation relating to a positive and healthy lifestyle.
During the morning the children will practice Yoga with Martina Kruger, exploring breathing techniques and yoga poses through stories, videos, and different activities. Children will create a community where they learn about making connections through the senses, mindfulness, gratitude, nature, and positive relationships. Children will engage in creative art explorations with natural materials, journaling, and sharing their ideas in a fun, interactive, and enriching program.
To Register Click the Register Button or Contact Gord at 705-784-0380 or e-mail
Camp 5. August 9th to August 13th.
Creative Expression in Multimedia! Cartooning! Ages 6 to 12
Facilitators Diane Finlayson & Jenn Snowden
What do I see and How do I see It!
This camp is about the adventures in seeing everything with appreciation and of paying attention to everything around us. Activities of this camp are designed to foster confidence, self expression, independence, teamwork and self regulation. We will spend some quality time outside, weather permitting, for games, free time and tons of fun!
The mornings will be spent engaged in making art both in the studio and outside with Diane Finlayson. The focus will be to introduce children to an abstract and non-objective art expression…focusing on the emotional value of the painting, on form, texture and freedom of expression using multi media. Afternoons will offer a 1 ½ hour session with Jenn Snowden on drawing technique in pencil and pen with a look at the Snoopy Creations of Charles Schulz for inspiration. Balance of the day will offer the children free time to work on a project of choice.
To Register Click the Register Button or Contact Gord at 705-784-0380 or e-mail
Camp 6. August 16th to August 20th.
Expressive Arts! Fairy Tales & Drama! Yoga Adventures! Ages 6 to 12
Facilitated by Una Pape, Diane Finlayson & Martina Kruger
Create, Imagine and Play it out!
This camp is about developing the creative process, using imagination to bridge visual art with self expression and story telling. Activities of this camp are designed to foster confidence, cooperation, respect, and allowing the kids to experience independence, teamwork and self regulation relating to a positive self expression.
We explore art expression during the mornings and ‘travel’ into the world of make believe with Una Pape. We love the world of fairy tales! Children will be creating diorama cubes of scenes from a popular fairy tale – and the characters using puppets. Of course role-play and dramatic reenactments are part of the fun! Early afternoon with Diane Finlayson to painting, collage and experience various media to support the morning explorations and on going projects.
At the end of the day children can look forward to a gentle yoga and mindfulness practise with Martina Kruger. Children will learn and share about the importance of self reflection, managing emotions, and creating positive relationships.
To Register Click the Register Button or Contact Gord at 705-784-0380 or e-mail
Camp 7. August 23rd to August 27th.
ActiveKids! Expressive Art Journaling! Drawing & Cartooning. Ages 8 to 13
Facilitators Martina Kruger, Diane Finlayson & Jenn Snowden
ActiveKids Adventure Camp!
Activities of this camp are designed to foster confidence, cooperation, respect, and allowing the kids to experience independence, teamwork and self regulation relating to a positive self expression and healthy lifestyle.
The mornings will be dedicated to movement and healthy living with Martina Kruger. Children will move their bodies in a variety of different ways and challenge their fitness and game skills. Children will learn about the importance of physical fitness and health & well being, and ways we can easily incorporate these into our daily lives. Children will get an opportunity to share their ideas in a fun and interactive learning environment where they will learn to incorporate healthy living, intentional movement, and aerobic exercise
The children will be introduced to Art Journaling with Diane Finlayson. Various subject and media will be explored as a daily challenge will be given for interpretation and process. We will also work on small, and large scale pieces. The focus of cartooning with Jen Snowden will be learning how to draw in a Marvel style of cartooning and create their own super heroes. Along with designing characters the class will also offer basic inking skills to really showcase the marvel style in a fun and easy to learn way.
To Register Click the Register Button or Contact Gord at 705-784-0380 or e-mail