How We Teach
Method and curriculum
Firstlight is all about training artists.
We’ve figured out how to make college-level art concepts and techniques, super-easy to understand – for every age.
“They just love doing art!”
We hear this all the time, and it’s so good, because that passion is what truly makes someone an artist. No matter where you are on your journey – a beginner, intermediate, or advanced artist – if you love art, we’re here for you.
15 years in Franklin
We’ve trained over 2000 art students. Some have gone on to enjoy a successful art career, although many just want the joy of making art at home. Your personal goals are what matter.
Curriculum
We have our own powerful curriculum we’ve developed and refined for years. Students move up from level to level, learning insights, techniques, and honing their skills. Our students have proved over and over that anyone who loves art can realize their own personal vision.
Our Long-Term Approach Leads to Confidence.
Terms are a full school-year but you can join any time.
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Classes meet once a week
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36 lessons each school year
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Six different age groups
We offer two basic kinds of art classes for all ages.
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Traditional Art ages 6 to adult
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Cartooning Art ages 10 +
In a word, our art program is built around encouragement
How we do this art thing.
Original Lessons Created by Our Founder
Like a three-legged stool, our art curriculum has been built as a complete foundation for students, using three deeply connected principles.
JOY
For the Heart
Artists want to express themselves.
SKILLS
For the Hand
Feeling confident is essential.
INSIGHT
For the Mind
Understand how to make great art.
“Artists may have varying gifts, but the best art always comes from the joy of creating. If you love art, you make art – If you practice making art, you get better at it.”
Dennas Davis, Founder
You may join a class at any time.
Each lesson is independent of the others, so they can be taken in any order.
Art Classes
School Year Program
Kids | Teens | Adults
You can join a class Today! Online Or in-studio.
28 Classes Offered.
Ages 6 Through Adult.
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Our HYBRID CLASSES (shown with a large pink border), can accomodate either in-STUDIO as well as ONLINE students. Both in-studio and online students can see each other and interact during class. (Students must register for either online, or regular version of the class. Transfering to the other version mid-term is fine if there is room.) You can join a waitlist by registering for any class that is full.
Hybrid classes with 2 versions: online & in-studio – are shown with a large pink border. Register for one or the other.
Our Art Classes & Age Groups
KidsART
Ages 6 – 7
2 Years of curriculum – Our Small Program, KidsART, is designed to engage this special age. They always want to show us the amazing things they can do!
Read More...
Each class begins with a quick warmup of artists’ choice using markers or oil pastels. Then there’s one or two projects filled with fun – and important art concepts too. Instead of talking about what we’re doing, all the insights and techniques are hidden in the projects, so the kids get to go right into making things!
View Student Work...
8 Students/Class
Foundations
Ages 8 – 10
2 Years of curriculum – Students get an introduction to all the basics needed for making art. Lessons are full of fun as well as simplified for this age.
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Oil pastels, charcoal, pencil, ink, watercolor, clay, and acrylics are used in our Foundations classes. Topics include techniques, color theory, composition, drawing accurately, and more. Students are encouraged to discover and experiment with their art.
View Student Work...
9 Students/Class
Foundations
Ages 10 – 12
2 Years of curriculum each level – Students get a full understanding of all the basics for creating art, moving up towards the Intermediate level: CREATIONS
Read More...
Oil pastels, charcoal, pencil, ink, watercolor, clay, and acrylics are used in our Foundations classes. Topics include techniques, color theory, composition, drawing accurately, and more. Students are encouraged to discover and experiment with their art.
View Student Work...
9 Students/Class
Foundations
Ages 13 & Up
2 Years of curriculum each level – Students get a full understanding of all the basics for creating art
Intermediate level: CREATIONS
Advanced level: EXPRESSIONS
Read More...
Oil pastels, charcoal, pencil, ink, watercolor, clay, and acrylics are used in our Foundations classes. Topics include techniques, color theory, composition, drawing accurately, and more. Students are encouraged to discover and experiment with their art.
View Student Work...
9 Students/Class
Foundations
Adults
2 Years of curriculum each level – Students get a full understanding of all the basics for creating art
Intermediate level: CREATIONS
Advanced level: EXPRESSIONS
Read More...
Oil pastels, charcoal, pencil, ink, watercolor, clay, and acrylics are used in our Foundations classes. Topics include techniques, color theory, composition, drawing accurately, and more. Students are encouraged to discover and experiment with their art.
View Student Work...
9 Students/Class
Toons
Ages 10 & Up
2 Years of curriculum each level – Students learn how to create cartoon elements and characters.
Intermediate level: TOONS 2
And Advanced TOONS
Read More...
Toons classes begin with Toons 1. Students learn the basics of drawing, modeling, expressions, and various objects that build up a vocabulary of cartoon elements to work from. Toons 1 can be taken for several years because we change the curriculum projects each year. Older students can begin or move up to Toons 2, and progress into more advanced projects and character development. They progress to Advanced Toons 3 and can take this class for several years. We change the projects often, and students work on their own style, structure, 3D form, and strong character-building techniques.
View Student Work...
9 Students/Class
Pricing
Tuition and supplies
REGISTRATION FEE is $30 per year
All Tuitions Are Pro-Rated From Starting Date.
TUITIONS
$1227 for the Big Programs
Traditional & Toons. Installment plan payments are $129 per month.
$1110 for the Small Program
KidsART ages 6 & 7. Installment plan payments are $116 per month.
SUPPLY FEES
$217.95 for a full new set of traditional supplies with case
$114.36 for a full new set of toons supplies with case
$50 KidsART supply fee (kept in the classroom)
Supplies at Firstlight
Supplies are always available at our studio
15% off the MSRP
All students in our Big Program must have specific supplies during each class. Visit our supplies page to order everything you need. You can use our online order form as a checklist to see if you already have some items. Feel free to order elswhere but please get the exact items to be able to follow the curriculum. Thank you!
What folks say about us
Ann, adult student
Parent of 6 year old
Hannah, Parent
Parent of 12 year old
Shea, Parent and student
Allyson, Parent of 9 year old
Our registration page shows current availability in each class.
