A place for kids to make things, try new creative skills and discover what they're capable of.

Creative Barracks offers hands-on after-school art programs for kids in Dunnville, Ontario.

Our programs are designed to give kids the opportunity to experiment with different creative materials and techniques in a relaxed, welcoming environment where beginners are completely welcome.

Painting • Pottery • Sculpting • Drawing • Digital Art • Mixed Media & More

Kids spend enough of their week being told where to sit, what to learn and what the right answer is.

Our art programs are different. Here, they get to make things. They get to experiment. They get to make mistakes. They get to try again. And sometimes they get to walk out of the studio holding something they can't believe they actually made.

That's what we're here for.

Our after-school programs give kids the opportunity to explore different creative disciplines throughout the year.

Depending on the program, they might:

🎨 Paint

🏺 Work with clay

✏️ Draw and illustrate

🧸 Sculpt

💻 Create digital artwork

🧵 Experiment with different materials

🌈 Explore colour and mixed media

The goal isn't to turn every child into an artist.

It's to help them discover that they are capable of creating something.

That's okay. Actually, that's one of the reasons we love teaching kids.

Children don't need to arrive with artistic talent. They need a chance to experiment without being afraid of getting it wrong. 

Our instructors break projects down into manageable steps, demonstrate techniques and help kids when they get stuck.

There is no expectation that everyone's finished project will look the same.

We want kids to leave feeling proud of what they made, not worried that it wasn't perfect.

Your child doesn't need years of art classes behind them.

We meet kids where they are.

These aren't programs where kids spend an hour watching someone else demonstrate.

They get their hands on the materials and create.

Not every child loves painting.

Some love clay.

Some want to draw characters.

Some want to sculpt.

Some would rather work digitally.

That's why we offer different creative disciplines throughout the year.

Our studio is intentionally inclusive and welcoming to different personalities, learning styles and levels of experience. Kids don't have to fit a particular "artist" mould to belong here.

At the end of a program, they have more than a new skill. They have evidence that they made something themselves.

Not every child knows what they like yet. That's part of the fun.

Explore colour, composition and different painting techniques through projects designed for their age group.

Get hands-on with clay and discover what happens when you turn an idea into a three-dimensional object.

Build drawing skills while creating characters, illustrations and original artwork.

Explore digital illustration and creative technology in age-appropriate programs.

Combine different materials and techniques to create artwork that doesn't fit neatly into one category.

We offer programs designed for different stages of childhood and creative development.

Our younger programs focus on exploration, imagination and building confidence with creative materials.

Littles Painting • Littles Pottery • Littles Sculpt & Paint

Kids can explore a wider range of materials and techniques while developing their own creative voice.

Kids Painting • Kids Pottery • Kids Sculpting & More

Older students can take on more specialized creative challenges and begin exploring specific interests.

Youth Digital Illustration • Youth Character Design & More

They arrive at Creative Barracks.

They get settled.

We introduce the project.

We demonstrate the techniques.

Then they get to work.

There might be concentration.

There might be a lot of questions.

There might be clay everywhere.

There will probably be at least one kid who decides to completely ignore the example and create something entirely different.

That's okay.

Creative confidence doesn't come from doing everything exactly right. It comes from trying.

After-school activities don't have to be about filling another hour in the week.

They're an opportunity to give kids experiences they might not otherwise have.

A chance to:

• Use their hands.
• Work with other kids.
• Try something unfamiliar.
• Solve creative problems.
• Build confidence.
• Make something tangible.

And, occasionally, come home covered in paint.

Art can be a surprisingly social activity. Kids work alongside other young people who are also curious, creative and willing to try something new. Friendships happen. Kids encourage each other. They show each other what they're making. They celebrate when something finally works. For some kids, finding a place where they feel comfortable being themselves is just as important as learning the creative skill.

We want Creative Barracks to be one of those places.

Perfect.

Our programs are designed so that children can participate without having an extensive art background. We'll provide the instruction and materials they need. They provide the imagination.

Even better.

Our programs give young artists opportunities to keep experimenting, learn new techniques and work with materials they may not have access to at home.

And because our programming changes throughout the year, there's always something new to try.

Programs, ages, schedules and prices vary.

Not ready to commit to a full program? We also offer individual creative experiences and workshops throughout the year.

Creative Barracks offers more than after-school programs.

Explore our kids' workshops, camps, family experiences and seasonal programs.

We get it. Maybe they'll discover pottery. Maybe they'll become obsessed with drawing characters.

Maybe they'll surprise themselves with how much they enjoy painting. Maybe they'll try something once and decide it's not for them. That's okay too. The point isn't to find their lifelong artistic career.

It's to give them the opportunity to find something that makes them light up.

No. Our programs are designed for kids with a range of experience and ability.

Yes. Materials are included unless otherwise specified in the individual program description.

Absolutely.

Yes. Each program has its own recommended age range, which is listed in the program description.

Some programs and workshops are available as individual class visits. Availability varies.

Something comfortable that you're okay with getting a little messy. Art can happen everywhere.

That's okay. Creative projects sometimes take longer than expected. We'll help them get as far as possible during their program.

Yes. We strive to make our studio welcoming and accessible to kids with different personalities, abilities, learning styles and creative experience. If your child has specific needs you'd like to discuss before registering, please contact us.

Give them a place to try something new.

A place to make mistakes.

A place to make friends.

A place to make something they're proud of.