Arts Programs & Events

Spring/Summer 2024 Arts Education Programs

Celebrate the artist inside you! Arts classes and workshops at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences are for community members of all ages to experiment with artistic disciplines, different materials and techniques. Try something new, collaborate with one another, and stay curious.

To find out more or to register call 252.972.1632 or email arts@imperialcentre.org.

Painting Textiles: Family Workshop

Saturday, May 4
10 am – 12 pm
$10/family

Let your creative juices flow, and design a kitchen tea towel for a Mother’s day gift or just for you using stamps, or a free hand design in fabric inks. All materials included. No prior experience needed. Registration required by April 8. Limited to 20 participants.

Instructor: N. Butler
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences

Intro to Clay

Thursdays, May 9-30
10 am – 12 pm
Age 10+
$40/person

Enjoy experimenting with clay! Learn the techniques of construction and forming through wheel throwing and handbuilding. All materials included. No prior experience needed. Registration required by May 6. Limited to 10 participants.

Instructor: T. Grosner
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences

Beginning Machine Sewing

Saturday, May 18
2 pm – 4 pm
12+ Age
Free

New to sewing? Join us for this informative workshop about the ins and outs of a sewing machine! Learn how to operate your machine, along with the tools of sewing- thread and fabric. Leave with a completed project. Student will need to bring:- sewing machine, thread (neutral color) pins, scissors. No prior experience needed. Registration required by May 15. Limited to 6 participants.

Instructor: C. Gates
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences

Pointillism: Family Workshop

Saturday, May 18
3 pm – 4 pm
All ages
Free

One popular art technique that requires a lot of attention and concentration is pointillism. This activity helps to center an individual and engage in an activity that provides a break from worrying and overthinking. All materials included. No prior experience needed. Registration required by May 15. Limited to 20 participants.

Instructor: M. Easton
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences

Wheel Throwing Sent

Saturdays, June 1- July 13 (no class 7/6)
10 am – 1 pm
Age 13+
$120/city-resident, $190/non-resident

Perfect for the complete beginner to learn the basics of clay. Practice wedging, centering, trimming, and glazing. All are welcome to work at their own pace and make a variety of cylinders and bowls. Age 14+. All materials included. No prior experience needed. Registration is required by October 11. Limited to 10 participants.

Instructor: B. Moore
Location: Clay Studio, Art Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences

Mommy & Me ARTS

June 4 – August 17
Tuesdays & Saturdays, 10 am – 11 am
FREE

Explore a variety of art materials, experience new textures, improve fine motor skills, and enjoy being creative together. Each class introduces children and caregivers to a story, art materials and creativity. All materials are provided. Pre-registration is suggested, drop-ins welcome. Limited to 15 participants.

Instructor: A. Garrett
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences

Mixed Media Art

June 6 – July 11 (no class July 4)
10 am – 12 pm
Age 12+
$35/resident, $52/non-resident

Mixing it up! Explore creating mixed media art using texture, stencils, stamping, collage and color. All materials included. No prior experience needed. Registration is required by June 1. Limited to 15 participants.

Instructor: N. Butler
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences

Drop-in Art

Fridays, June 7- August 2 (no meeting July 5)
1 pm – 3 pm
All ages

All materials are provided. Pre-registration is suggested, drop-ins welcome. Limited to 15 participants.

Instructor: A. Garrett
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences

Mixed Media: Art Camp

June 24-28
9 am – 12 pm (8:45 am drop-off)
Age 8+
$35/1st student, $25/2nd student

Using a range of everyday and art materials, design and make your own mixed media art. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Register by June 20. Limited to 12 participants.

Instructor: R. Latham
Location: Imperial Centre Arts Education Building

Working in Clay: Art Camp

July 8-12
9 am – 12 pm (8:45 am drop-off)
Age 10-15
$35/1st student, $25/2nd student

Explore clay, handbuilding and sculpture with us this summer! This camp introduces all participants to clay, construction, and design. Create objects, experiment with texture, color, and glazing techniques!
All materials provided; no experience necessary. Register by July 3. Limited to 10 participants.

Instructor: T. Grosner
Location: Imperial Centre Arts Education Building

Plein Air Drawing

Sundays, July 14 – August 11
3 pm – 5 pm
Age 14+

Join artist Charles Edward Williams to explore Rocky mount’s Tar River through traditional drawing and water medium techniques. Be guided in exploration to sharpen observation skills in group and one-on-one guidance throughout the course. Achieve a greater sense of form, proportion, and perspective, as well as other drawing techniques for establishing light, value, and depth of field, and a more comprehensive understanding of atmospheric perspective related to plein air (open-air observation). Students will execute these methods in graphite and watercolor. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Register by July 10. Limited to 6 participants.

Instructor: C.E. Williams
Location: Imperial Centre Arts Education Building & outdoors

3-D Sculpture: Art Camp

July 15-19
9 am – 12 pm (8:45 am drop-off)
Age 7+
$35/1st student, $25/2nd student

Spend a week designing and building in 3-dimenson! Use new materials everyday and create your own inspired art. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Register by July 11. Limited to 12 participants.

Instructor: T. Grosner
Location: Imperial Centre Arts Education Building

Meet the Artist! Art Camp

July 22-26
9 am – 12 pm (8:45 am drop-off)
Age 8+
$35/1st student, $25/2nd student

Spend a week learning about different artists and art movements. Explore a new artist everyday and create your own inspired art. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Register by July 18. Limited to 12 participants.

Instructor: T. Grosner
Location: Imperial Centre Arts Education Building

Creative Poetry: Summer Camp

July 29 – August 2
1 pm – 4 pm (12:45 pm drop-off)
Age 9-13
$35/1st student, $25/2nd student

Explore a variety of poetic styles and build appreciation for this form of creative writing! Haiku, limericks, odes and acrostic poems are just some of the styles covered in this week-long camp. Using age-appropriate works as examples, students will compose original pieces they can share with family and friends. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Register by July 26. Limited to 12 participants.

Instructor: A. Cook
Location: Imperial Centre Arts Education Building

Lettering the Alphabet: Summer Camp

August 5-9
Age 9-13
1 pm – 4 pm (12:45 pm drop-off)
$35/1st student, $25/2nd student

Practice writing the alphabet, words and phrases in lettering styles, including cursive, bubble, block, and graffiti-style lettering. Campers will create uniquely individualized signature artworks.
All materials provided; no experience necessary. Register by August 1. Limited to 12 participants.

Instructor: A. Cook
Location: Imperial Centre Arts Education Building

The Joy of Dance: Summer Camp

July 29 – August 2
9 am -12 pm (8:45 am drop-off)
All ages
$35/1st student, $25/2nd student

Students of all ages are welcome to express themselves freely, build self-esteem, and ignite joy and creativity through a fusion mix of dance styles. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Limited to 15 participants. Register by July 24.

Instructor: E. Asemota
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences

Fashion Upcycle: Family Workshop

Saturday, August 10
10 am -12 pm
All ages
$10/family (up to 4 people)

Bring a denim jacket or old pair of denim jeans for a fashion upcycle. We will be using fabric inks/ paint mixed with fabric medium to create unique designs on these old denim clothes, giving them new life.

Most materials included. No prior experience needed. Registration is required by August 8. Limited to 15 participants.

Instructor: N. Butler
Location: Arts Education Building, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences