Be Smart,
 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 Artistâs Apprentice established in 2002.
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:
- To purchase a series of private lessons.
- To purchase a birthday private party art activity.
- To purchase lessons for home school for your children or home school group.
- To pay for the material fee for scheduled classes or private lessons. (Note: Excludes Brandon Schools)
- To pay for boy/girl scout art badge requirement lesson.
- To pay for travel fee for out of an area location.
Latest News
Upcoming Lessons
- February 6, 2026
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Heart Art Valentine Workshop
February 6, 2026 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Harvey-Swanson Elementary School, 209 Varsity Dr, Ortonville, MI 48462, USALove is in the air, and on our walls and windows! Kids will be painting a heart tree/garden with all the colors of the rainbow in the style of contemporary artist Ivan Guaderrama. Heart ArtÂ
 Also, we will be working on a tissue paper creation that will mimic stain glass, a brilliant sight in any room just in time for Valentine's Day! Your kiddo will be making a super cute, heart critter for the one they love. Psst this card won't be part of our Gallery Show, just in case it's for you. đ Hope to see you here! Taught by Artist/Instructor Pamela Palmer B.F.A., Owner/Entrepreneur of The Artist's Apprentice.  Ages 7 & up (As always, siblings of any age are welcome!) $30 all materials included.
- February 11, 2026
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(p) Heart Art Valentine Workshop
February 11, 2026 3:35 pm - 5:35 pm
Pine Knob Elementary School, 6020 Sashabaw Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48346, USALove is in the air, and on our walls and windows! Kids will be painting a heart tree/garden with all the colors of the rainbow in the style of contemporary artist Ivan Guaderrama. Heart ArtÂ
 Also, we will be working on a tissue paper creation that will mimic stain glass, a brilliant sight in any room just in time for Valentine's Day! Your kiddo will be making a super cute, heart critter for the one they love. Psst this card won't be part of our Gallery Show, just in case it's for you. đ Hope to see you here! Taught by Artist/Instructor Pamela Palmer B.F.A., Owner/Entrepreneur of The Artist's Apprentice.  Ages 7 & up (As always, siblings of any age are welcome!) $30 all materials included. 3:35-5:35  Wednesday 2/11
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- February 12, 2026
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Heart Art Valentine Workshop
February 12, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Hart Community Center, 495 Broadway, Davisburg, MI 48350, USALove is in the air, and on our walls and windows! Kids will be painting a heart tree/garden with all the colors of the rainbow in the style of contemporary artist Ivan Guaderrama. Heart ArtÂ
 Also, we will be working on a tissue paper creation that will mimic stain glass, a brilliant sight in any room just in time for Valentine's Day! Your kiddo will be making a super cute, heart critter for the one they love. Psst this card won't be part of our Gallery Show, just in case it's for you. đ Hope to see you here! Taught by Artist/Instructor Pamela Palmer B.F.A., Owner/Entrepreneur of The Artist's Apprentice.  Ages 7 & up (As always, siblings of any age are welcome!) $30 all materials included.
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- February 13, 2026
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(b) Cartooning Woohoo!
February 13, 2026
Bailey Lake Elementary School, 8051 Pine Knob Rd, Independence Township, MI 48348, USAKids love comic!  But do they learn anything? As an art educator of many years and hundreds of students, I can certainly say with confidence that the answer is a resounding yes!  It develops crucial skills such as creative thinking, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and artistic expression. Cartooning also boosts confidence by offering a less intimidating way for children to practice drawing and learn artistic principles, like simplifying elements, understanding line and shape, and constructing figures. In this 4 week session we will be working with both Manga & Marvel comics in colored pencils, markers and chalk pastels. Sign up today and come join the fun! A Gallery Show will be extended to family following class on the final day. Please bring water bottle, snack, and wear clothes that are not precious. Taught by artist/educator Pamela Palmer, B.F.A. of The Artist's Apprentice.
 $65 plus $20 material fee payable to instructor on the first day of classes. Ages 7 & up (As always, siblings of any age are welcome.) Fridays 1/23, 1/30, 1/6, 1/13   3:50-5:20
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- February 16, 2026
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đ¨ Ginormous Chalk Pastel Impressionist âPaintingsâ
February 16, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USALetâs go for the WOW factor!
Kids will get a kick out of creating art in a big way with these powerfully colorful, large-scale pastel creations. Inspired by the vibrant world of Impressionism, our young artists will explore bold color, expressive strokes, and glowing light effects as they make their own oversized âpaintingsâ using soft chalk pastels on giant sheets of paper.
By browsing a variety of visual referencesâfrom Monetâs gardens to Degasâ dancers and Van Goghâs swirling skiesâstudents will find an artist whose style sparks their imagination. Then, theyâll reinterpret that inspiration through their own unique creative lens!
Weâll experiment with layering, blending, and smudging techniques to achieve those signature Impressionist textures, all while celebrating color and movement on a grand scale.
At the end of class, families are invited to an Impressionist Gallery Walk, where every childâs luminous masterpiece will take center stage!
Come ready to think big, dream in color, and make your markâginormously!
Monday 2/16   9:00-noon Ages 7 & up (As always, siblings of any age are welcome!)   $54(All materials included)
Please bring a snack and water bottle, wear clothes that could use a splash of color. đ Â
Instructor Pamela Palmer B.F.A., Owner/Entrepreneur of The Artist's Apprentice.Â
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- February 18, 2026
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(c) Zoom Into Art with Sonic the Hedgehog!
February 18, 2026 3:35 pm - 5:05 pm
Clarkston Elementary School, 6589 Waldon Rd, Village of Clarkston, MI 48346, USADoes 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!Â
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 childâs 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  $30 (All materials included.) Wednesday 2/18  3:50 -5:50
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- February 19, 2026
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(n) Zoom Into Art with Sonic the Hedgehog!
February 19, 2026 3:50 pm - 5:50 pm
North Sashabaw Elementary School, 5290 Maybee Rd, Independence Township, MI 48346, USADoes 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!Â
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 childâs 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  $30 (All materials included.) Wednesday 2/18  3:50 -5:50
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- February 21, 2026
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- February 23, 2026
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- March 4, 2026
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The Artist's Apprentice Clay Creations
March 4, 2026 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Great Lakes Athletic Club, 3800 S Baldwin Rd, Lake Orion, MI 48359, USADoes your child like working with their hands? Clay is an ever-pleasing medium for the young artist in your family! These fine arts instructional segments involve students in working with self-drying clay, using a caliper and modelling tools to make pottery and 3D Sculpture projects. If time permits, we will add shimmer paint our work! A 'Viewing of Creation' with will be extended to families following class on the final day. Wear clothes that are not precious, we will get messy! Taught by artist/educator Pamela Palmer B.F.A., founder of The Artistâs Apprentice.Â
A Viewing of Creations will be extended to families following class on the final day.
$65 plus $20 material fee to instructor on the 1st day of classes. Ages 7 & up (as always siblings of any age are welcome.) 6:00 - 7:30 Wednesdays 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25.
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- March 5, 2026
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Art Frenzy of Puppies & Kittens
March 5, 2026 3:40 pm - 5:10 pm
Harvey-Swanson Elementary School, 209 Varsity Dr, Ortonville, MI 48462, USAArt Frenzy of Puppies & Kittens
Whether itâs a kindle of kittens or a pack of playful puppies, kids canât 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 dayâyour little darlings will be thrilled to show off their little darlings!
đ¨ Instructor: Pamela Palmer, B.F.A., Artist/Educator & Founder of The Artistâs Apprentice
đ§ Ages:Â 6 & upÂ
đ˛ Cost: $65 (All materials included)
đ Dates: Wednesdays, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19â° Time: 3:40 â 5:10 PM -
Art Frenzy of Puppies & Kittens
March 5, 2026 3:40 pm - 5:10 pm
Harvey-Swanson Elementary School, 209 Varsity Dr, Ortonville, MI 48462, USAArt Frenzy of Puppies & Kittens
Whether itâs a kindle of kittens or a pack of playful puppies, kids canât 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 dayâyour little darlings will be thrilled to show off their little darlings!
đ¨ Instructor: Pamela Palmer, B.F.A., Artist/Educator & Founder of The Artistâs Apprentice
đ§ Ages:Â 6 & upÂ
đ˛ Cost: $65 (All materials included)
đ Dates:Â Thurssdays, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19â° Time: 3:40 â 5:10 PM -
Kawaii Cartooning
March 5, 2026 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Rochester Avon Recreation Authority (RARA), 500 E 2nd St, Rochester, MI 48307, USAKawaii Cartooning Workshop
We all love those adorable characters â now itâs your turn to design your own!
In this super-fun workshop, kids will dive into the world of Kawaii art, where everything is cute, colorful, and full of personality.Our young cartoonists will sketch and color their own irresistible characters using an assortment of mediums including markers, colored pencils, chalk pastels, and oil pastels. With plenty of visual references and step-by-step drawing tips, kids will learn how to create charming faces, joyful expressions, and playful poses â all while exploring their own unique style!
Letâs watch as these pleasant, smiling friends come to life right before our eyes! Kids will leave brimming with inspiration, new drawing tricks, and confidence to keep creating long after class ends. Parents are welcome to a Galley Show of their children's work on the final day of classes.
Impress yourself â and your friends â with all the keen tips youâll pick up on your road to becoming a confident cartoonist! Taught by Artist/Educator Pamela Palmer BFA, Entrepreneur of The Artist's Apprentice.
$54 (All materials included.)
Thursdays 3/5, 3/12, 3/19Â Â Â 6:30-8:00
Ages 7 & up (Siblings of any age are welcome)
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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
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.đ¨ The Artist's Apprentice
If you have a question, call Pamela Palmer at
Or text (248) 842-1349
For the fastest response, simply use the form to the right, and we'll get back to you soon!







