ArtHaus classes for young actors, artists, dancers and musicians begin this week

ArtHaus of Decorah will begin offering classes for young artists, dancers, musicians and actors starting the week after Labor Day.

Classes in clay, painting and drawing are available after-school and on Saturdays for students as young as age two, along with classes designed for older children and teens.  Family workshops in photography, clay tile mirrors and clay ornaments will also be held this fall.  All classes are taught by professional teaching artists, including Clay Studio Owner Rachelle Branum, Alyssa Ritter, Zoe Klosterboer, Kyra Bellrichard and Luther professor Julie Strom.

With the addition of ballet and tap instructor Laurie Walter to the ArtHaus faculty, several after-school and Saturday dance classes will be offered throughout the fall for dancers age 3 to 16.  Laurie Walter has recently returned to Decorah after teaching and choreographing in Austin, Texas for the past seven years.  She received her BA in Dance from Luther College.

Also new to the ArtHaus teaching roster is Andrew Ellingsen, who will offer a Creative Dance and Xylophone ensemble called "Skape Sammen," (the Norwegian expression for "creating together").  Offered in partnership with Decorah Community Schools, this class for students age 9-12 will meet after school in the music room of Carrie Lee Elementary beginning Monday, September 10th.  

ArtHaus Co-Director Kristen Underwood offers two theatre experiences this fall in conjunction with Upstart Crow Theatreworks.  Actors age 13-18 are invited to participate in creating an original street theatre performance to be offered to the public during Banned Books Week (September 30th through October 6th).  Later in the fall, in collaboration with choral director Tabita Green, another original theatre piece will be created with young performers age 9-12, exploring the legends surrounding Scandinavia's Santa Lucia. Space is limited in both projects and early registration is encouraged.

Tuition assistance is available to all youth classes at ArtHaus, thanks to grants from The Depot Outlet and The McElroy Trust, as well as donations from the many Friends of ArtHaus.  Families interested in tuition assistance may inquire upon registration.

Calendars providing a complete listing of classes for youth and adults is available at ArtHaus, the Oneota Community Co-op, Decorah Public Library, and other downtown Decorah locations, as well as online at arthausdecorah.org.

To assist working parents, ArtHaus instructors lead students in a Walking School Bus from John Cline Elementary School to after-school classes Mondays through Thursdays.

Online registration is available through the website, or by stopping by ArtHaus on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 10am-noon. For more information, contact co-directors Kristen Underwood and Lea Lovelace at 563-382-5440 or arthaus508@gmail.com