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 Add Art!

Be Smart, Add Art!

Art Lessons for Kids • One-To-One Tutoring • Birthday Parties • Private Lessons

The Artist’s Apprentice offers the creative youth an opportunity to explore his/her individual talents through a variety of medium, subject matter and techniques. Classes are taught by Artist/Instructor Pamela Palmer B.F.A., Owner/Entrepreneur of The Artist’s Apprentice established in 2002.

A variety of classes, offered in a group setting are designed for young artists ages 7 & up (siblings are always welcome!). Home School Students, Birthday Parties, Girl/Boy Scout Badge Requirements, and Religious Groups, and those in the International Baccalaureate program are just a few.

View our Class Schedule to find out what’s being offered right now. We also offer private art classes as well as home school lesson, (group and individual) at the Independence Library, Depot Park, The Corner Cafe in Nieman’s Family Market or at your home in Clarkston!

If you are a Metro Trading Association Member

Note: Due to third party involvement, trade dollars can not be used for scheduled classes.

Your trade dollars are able to be used in a number of ways:

  1. To purchase a series of private lessons.
  2. To purchase a birthday private party art activity.
  3. To purchase lessons for home school for your children or home school group.
  4. To pay for the material fee for scheduled classes or private lessons. (Note: Excludes Brandon Schools)
  5. To pay for boy/girl scout art badge requirement lesson.
  6. To pay for travel fee for out of an area location.

Latest News

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Let's get started! Private Art Lessons for Kids ... See MoreSee Less

Lets get started! Private Art Lessons for Kids

Have an art kid? Call today! ... See MoreSee Less

Have an art kid? Call today!

4 months ago

The Artist's Apprentice

Art Camp Anyone? This one's a doozy, sign up today, begins Monday if we get more enrollment soon!!! So much #summercampr#kidsactivitiesi#ArtForKidsr#fentonmichiganh#fentonenton ... See MoreSee Less

Art Camp Anyone? This ones a doozy, sign up today, begins Monday if we get more enrollment soon!!! So much fun! #summercamp #kidsactivities #artforkids #fentonmichigan #fenton

Look what's happening in Davisburg for kids! Enrollment Extended. Camp is running, sign up to#kids##kidsactivitiesi#summercampr#davisburgs#drawingforkidsrkids ... See MoreSee Less

Look whats happening in Davisburg for kids! Enrollment Extended. Camp is running, sign up today! #kids #kidsactivities #summercamp #davisburg #drawingforkids

5 months ago

The Artist's Apprentice

Look what's happening in Lake Orion! Hurry to book this skill building camp for your young artist to#summer2025r#kidsactivitiesi#ArtForKidsr#thingstodoforkidsrkids😍 ... See MoreSee Less

Look whats happening in Lake Orion! Hurry to book this skill building camp for your young artist today! #summer2025 #kidsactivities #artforkids #thingstodoforkids😍
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Upcoming Lessons

December 22, 2025
December 23, 2025
December 24, 2025
December 25, 2025
December 26, 2025
January 5, 2026
January 6, 2026
January 12, 2026
  • I am The Artist's Apprentice

    January 12, 2026  6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
    Great Lakes Athletic Club, 3800 S Baldwin Rd, Lake Orion, MI 48359, USA

    Do you have an art kiddo who would enjoy embracing new and unusual experimental ideas? In this art series your child will be learning traditional painting techniques along with the avant-garde. We will be working with acrylic paints as well as zentangles, mosaics, collage, and, Shh! a special art project for our Valentine! Subject matter will include trees, owls, landscapes and asymmetrical designs. (Psst! It's a lot of fun.) Sign up early for this one, space is limited. A Gallery Show will be extended to families following class on the final day. Course taught by artist/instructor Pamela Palmer, founder of The Artist's Apprentice. 
    Ages 7 & up. (As always siblings of any age are welcome!) 6:00-7:30 Mondays 1/12, (Skip 1/19), 1/26, 2/2, 2/9  $65 plus $20 material fee payable to instructor on the 1st day of classes.

    See more details

January 13, 2026
  • (i) I am The Artist's Apprentice

    January 13, 2026  3:50 pm - 5:20 pm
    Independence Elementary School, 6850 Hubbard Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48348, USA

    Do you have an art kiddo who would enjoy embracing new and unusual experimental ideas? In this 5 week art series your child will be learning traditional painting techniques along with the avant-garde. We will be working with acrylic paints as well as zentangles, mosaics, collage, and, Shh! a special art project for our Valentine! Subject matter will include trees, birds, landscapes and asymmetrical designs. (Psst! It's a lot of fun.) Sign up early for this one, space is limited. A Gallery Show will be extended to families following class on the final day. Course taught by artist/instructor Pamela Palmer, founder of The Artist's Apprentice.
     $80 plus $25 material fee payable to instructor on the 1st day of classes.
    Ages 7 & up. (As always siblings of any age are welcome!) 
    Tuesdays 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10    3:50-5:20

    See more details

  • (i) I am The Artist's Apprentice

    January 13, 2026
    Independence Elementary School, 6850 Hubbard Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48348, USA

    Do you have an art kiddo who would enjoy embracing new and unusual experimental ideas? In this 5 week art series your child will be learning traditional painting techniques along with the avant-garde. We will be working with acrylic paints as well as zentangles, mosaics, collage, and, Shh! a special art project for our Valentine! Subject matter will include trees, owls, landscapes and asymmetrical designs. (Psst! It's a lot of fun.) Sign up early for this one, space is limited. A Gallery Show will be extended to families following class on the final day. Course taught by artist/educator Pamela Palmer, founder of The Artist's Apprentice.
     $80 plus $25 material fee payable to instructor on the 1st day of classes.
    Ages 7 & up. (As always siblings of any age are welcome!) 

    Tuesdays 1/13, 1/20, 2/27, 3/3,    3:50-5:20

    See more details

January 14, 2026
  • (p) Art Frenzy of Puppies and Kittens

    January 14, 2026  3:40 pm - 5:10 pm
    Pine Knob Elementary School, 6020 Sashabaw Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48346, USA

    Art Frenzy of Puppies & Kittens

    Whether it’s a kindle of kittens or a pack of playful puppies, kids can’t get enough of these furry friends!
    In this delightful 3-week art adventure, your child will draw, paint, and sculpt adorable puppies and kittens while learning new artistic techniques. Individual instruction ensures each young artist gains skills and confidence while creating masterpieces that capture the charm of their favorite animals.

    To celebrate their hard work, families are invited to a Gallery Show on the final day—your little darlings will be thrilled to show off their little darlings!

    🎨 Instructor: Pamela Palmer, B.F.A., Artist/Educator & Founder of The Artist’s Apprentice
    👧 Ages: 6 & up (siblings of any age welcome!)
    💲 Cost: $45 + $15 materials fee (payable to instructor on first day)
    📅 Dates: Wednesdays, 1/14, 1/21, & 1/28
    Time: 3:40 – 5:10 PM

    See more details

  • Kids Designing Their Own Bedrooms & Playrooms

    January 14, 2026  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
    Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA

    🏡 Kids Designing Their Own Bedroom or Playroom!

    A 6-Week Interior Design Adventure for Young Creators

    In this imaginative six-week series, kids will design their very own dream space — whether it’s a cozy bedroom or a playful hangout! Guided by an educator with four years of drafting experience, students will explore the world of interior design step by step, learning both artistic and technical skills along the way.

    Kids will:

    • Develop a presentation board that includes a floor plan drawn to scale on grid paper.

    • Learn to draft wall elevations and assemble a color palette featuring wallpaper, window treatments, bedding, and flooring selections.

    • Create a one-point perspective drawing to visualize their dream room.

    • Explore sustainability by designing a planted “green” roof, selecting succulents and flowers in a 3D cross-section cutaway model.

    • Experiment with chalk pastels, colored pencils, and air foam clay to bring their ideas to life.

    • Conclude the series by crafting an abstract wall art piece using spray paint and silly string — a playful way to make their designs truly stand out!

    Throughout the course, young designers will gain hands-on experience in space planning, color theory, and sustainable design principles, blending creativity with real-world design concepts.

    To celebrate their achievements, families are invited to a Gallery Show on the final day, where students will proudly present their inspired interiors.

    Instructor: Pamela Palmer, B.F.A., Diploma of Interior Design — Artist/Educator & Founder of The Artist’s Apprentice
    Ages: 7 & up
    Cost: $162 (all materials included)
    Dates: Wednesdays — Jan 14, 21, 28; Feb 4, 11, 18
    Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM


    See more details

  • (p) Art Frenzy of Puppies and Kittens

    January 14, 2026
    Pine Knob Elementary School, 6020 Sashabaw Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48346, USA

    Art Frenzy of Puppies & Kittens

    Whether it’s a kindle of kittens or a pack of playful puppies, kids can’t get enough of these furry friends!
    In this delightful 3-week art adventure, your child will draw, paint, and sculpt adorable puppies and kittens while learning new artistic techniques. Individual instruction ensures each young artist gains skills and confidence while creating masterpieces that capture the charm of their favorite animals.

    To celebrate their hard work, families are invited to a Gallery Show on the final day—your little darlings will be thrilled to show off their little darlings!

    🎨 Instructor: Pamela Palmer, B.F.A., Artist/Educator & Founder of The Artist’s Apprentice
    👧 Ages: 6 & up (siblings of any age welcome!)
    💲 Cost: $45 + $15 materials fee (payable to instructor on first day)
    📅 Dates: Wednesdays, 1/14, 1/21, & 1/28
    Time: 3:35 – 5:05 PM

    See more details

January 15, 2026
  • ⛄ Snow Sculptures & Arctic Animals Workshop

    January 15, 2026  5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

    Let’s bring the Arctic to life — in 3D!

    In this frosty-fun workshop, kids will sculpt and build their very own snowy animal scenes inspired by the wonders of the far North. Polar bears, snowy owls, seals, or penguins — it’s up to each young artist to choose their favorite Arctic creature!

    We’ll be using modeling clay, paper pulp, and fluffy texture materials to create snow and ice effects, then add cool color accents and sparkling finishes to make each piece shine like fresh frost. Kids will learn about form, balance, and texture as they shape their chilly masterpieces.

    Once complete, we’ll create a mini snow habitat display, arranging sculptures among painted icebergs, frosted trees, and glimmering snowdrifts — perfect for a cozy winter showcase!

    At the end of class, families are invited to a Frosty Gallery Show to admire these arctic art creations in all their shimmering glory.

    Bundle up your imagination and join us for this cool creative adventure — where winter magic takes shape before your eyes!Taught by artist/educator Pamela Palmer, B.F.A. of The Artist's Apprentice.

     Thursday 1/15   5:30 - 7:30 Ages 7 & up  Cost: $36 (All materials included)

    See more details

January 16, 2026
  • Zoom Into Art with Sonic the Hedgehog!

    January 16, 2026  5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
    Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA

    Does your child love Sonic and his high-speed adventures? This workshop is the perfect chance for kids to bring their favorite blue hero to life through art! Students will learn to draw, design, and add dynamic action to their own Sonic-inspired characters. With guided instruction and plenty of room for creativity, kids will explore bold colors, speedy poses, and imaginative backdrops that make their artwork zoom off the page. Let's not forget Tails, Knuckles and Amy Rose, for where would Sonic be without his friends! 

    At the end of the session, families are invited to a special Gallery Show where young artists will proudly showcase their creations. Parents will love seeing their child’s confidence grow as they share their artwork in a fun, celebratory setting.

    Give your child the chance to explore their creativity, build art skills, and have a blast in this fast-paced, creative adventure!

    Taught by Pamela Palmer artist/educator and founder of The Artist's Apprentice

    Ages 7 & up    Friday 1/16  5:30 - 7:30 $36 (All materials included.)

    See more details

January 19, 2026
  • 🏡 Dream House Design Workshop!

    January 19, 2026  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA

    A Two-Day Architectural Art Adventure for Kids

    Grab your ruler and imagination — it’s time to become a young architect!
    In this exciting two-part design workshop, kids will dream up, draw, and decorate their very own home from the ground up! Using grid paper, markers, and plenty of creative flair, students will learn the basics of floor plans, wall elevations, and even landscape design.

    ✏️ Workshop 1: “Design Your Dream Floor Plan”

    Let’s start from the ground floor — literally!
    Kids will begin by sketching their dream house layout on grid paper, learning how to represent rooms, doors, windows, and furniture just like real architects do. Then the creativity kicks in — secret slides, art studios, tree houses, pet rooms… anything goes in this architectural adventure!
    Students will add color, pattern, and personality to their plans, using design symbols and color keys to bring their spaces to life.

    🖼️ Workshop 2: “Elevations & Outdoor Magic”

    Now it’s time to build up and branch out!
    Kids will transform their floor plans into wall elevations, drawing a front or side view of their house to show windows, textures, and special details — from fancy front doors to wild wallpaper designs.
    Then we’ll step outside to create a landscape design around their home! Using grids, kids will design gardens, patios, pools, and play spaces, adding trees, flowers, and even obstacle courses and fire pit for camping in the backyard. Each student will finish with a complete architectural presentation — their very own home design inside and out!

    🌿 At the End of Day Two:

    Families are invited to a Mini Architecture Gallery Show where our young designers will proudly share their creations — floor plans, elevations, and landscape layouts — showcasing their creativity and new design skills.

    📐 Details:

    • Two Morning Sessions (3 hours each) 1/19 &1/20

    • $108 (All materials provided)

    • Please bring a water bottle, snack, and wear clothes that can get a little artsy.

    Join us for this imaginative journey where art meets architecture, and where every child’s dream home can become a reality — on paper!


    See more details

  • Fashion Extravaganza Workshop

    January 19, 2026  1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
    Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA

    👗 Fashion Extravaganza Workshop

    Taught by Artist/Educator Pamela Palmer, B.F.A.
    Owner of The Artist’s Apprentice

    What’s fun about fashion? EVERYTHING!
    Our young fashion designers will bring their creative ideas to life as they develop their own unique clothing and accessories. We’ll explore design elements like color, pattern, texture, and shape, and apply design principles such as balance and proportion to create truly fabulous ensembles.

    From sketching and brainstorming to sourcing materials and crafting prototypes, students will experience the exciting process of fashion design from concept to creation.

    Families are invited to a Fashion Show at the end of class to celebrate our designers’ work!

    💲 Cost: $54(all materials included)
    🎨 Ages: 7 & up (siblings of any age welcome)
    📅 Monday & Tuesday, 1/19, 1/20 | 🕓1:00- 4:00
    🥤 Please bring a water bottle, snack, and wear clothes that are not precious.

    See more details

  • Paint Like an Egyptian

    January 19, 2026  5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USA

    Paint Like an Egyptian Workshop
    Let’s get mummified! Kids will step back in time and create a life-size image of themselves as King Tut! Using a rich Egyptian color palette of turquoise, blue, russet, white, and gold, young artists will paint like ancient royalty.

    To make their masterpieces even more personal, students will design their own cartouche—a special hieroglyphic nameplate—filled with symbols that tell their unique story.

    At the end of the session, families are invited to a Gallery Show where our young artists will proudly display their stunning creations. Watch your child’s confidence soar as they share their work in a fun, celebratory setting!

    Give your child the chance to explore creativity, build art skills, and have a blast in this fast-paced art adventure!

    Taught by: Pamela Palmer, artist/educator and founder of The Artist’s Apprentice
    Ages: 7 & up
    Date: Monday, Jan. 19
    Time: 5:00–7:00 PM
    Fee: $36 (All materials included)

    See more details

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    January 19, 2026

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22 years and counting! All of our fine art experiences are instructed by Pamela Palmer, an artist who was born and educated in Canada. Pamela has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in painting and a minor in drawing from the University of Windsor and a Diploma of Interior Design from St. Clair College. Her works have been accepted into the government collection of Ontario and into juried shows at the Windsor Gallery of Art. Currently she is one of the regular artists displaying work at The Cause and Affect Gallery in Fenton. Palmer has been the 4th grade art teacher at the Independence El. and art instructor at the Early Childhood Learning Center for the Young 5’s program in Clarkston.

The Artist’s Apprentice has received a huge amount of recognition since its beginnings through the Youth Enrichment Program in Clarkston, Michigan and has branched out into Lake Orion, Fenton, Davisburg and Rochester.

As part of The Artist’s Apprentice program, students will be working to improve upon their personal best, an ongoing mindset that, hopefully continues throughout a lifetime.

Classes

…and many more! Check the Class Schedule to see what’s being offered right now!

How Do I Enroll?

For group classes, go to the Class Schedule and click on the desired class for information on how to enroll and make a payment. Note: For ‘Schedule’ classes please do not pay through this website. Click here to enroll in private classes, art parties, or to pay online.

🎨 The Artist's Apprentice

If you have a question, call Pamela Palmer at

(248) 620-3040

Or text (248) 842-1349

For the fastest response, simply use the form to the right, and we'll get back to you soon!