FAQ
You have questions.
We Have Answers.
Classes
Maybe. We have aprons and t-shirts available but it’s less encumbering for kids to just wear clothes that are ok to get messy. If we are planning a super drippy project or painting with acrylic, we do suggest that kids go grab an apron but we can’t guarantee they won’t get paint on their clothes. Or shoes. Or in their hair…
With few exceptions, most of the materials we use in the studio are washable, but in our experience, even “washable” paint can have a mind of its own and can stain, depending on the fabric and other factors.
For parties, please don’t arrive decked out in your best party dress or black tie tux – party projects are usually planned with only washable art supplies but better safe than sorry!
Brand new purple suede Uggs are not appropriate footwear for art class. Old Crocs are a better option!
Nice try.
Ms Katie likes to look like she is working much harder than the rest of us, so she wipes as much as possible on her apron throughout the day. She has also been known to absent-mindedly wear her apron out of the studio when she runs to the Thai place to pick up lunch, so who knows…
At the end of each class, we give parents a handout that highlights the project inspiration, materials & methods, references to famous artists, and key learning objectives. These are a great tool for you to engage in a discussion with your child about what they learned in class, and extend the learning at home.
We like to wear just enough make-up so as to look alive, but not so much that a student comments that they like the glitter on your eyelids or asks, “Why are your cheeks are so sparkly?”.
Oh wait…
Should your child(ren) need to miss a class, please call the studio prior to the start of the scheduled class. We will be happy to schedule a make-up class (preferably during the same week). Please note: Any class that is missed without notice is considered a “no show” & is not tracked; it cannot be made up and no refund or credit will be given for that missed class. For a withdrawal after the first class, a prorated studio credit will be provided that may be used any time during the next 12 months.
In the rare event a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will either give you a refund or apply the class fee to another class at your option.
Guess what? Your child painted it! No, really! We really try to discourage perfection and erasing or starting over (unless we sense a meltdown brewing). As a general rule, our teachers don’t touch a student’s artwork – it is what it is, and by that we mean fabulous! It’s amazing what kids can create when their imaginations are stimulated and they are listening, following directions, and trying their best! You probably haven’t spied on them sitting quietly in their room drawing a giraffe like that before, but we bet you will now! Ask them to play “art teacher” and show you what they learned in class!
Camps
Guess what? Your child painted it! No, really! We really try to discourage perfection and erasing or starting over (unless we sense a meltdown brewing). As a general rule, our teachers don’t touch a student’s artwork – it is what it is, and by that we mean fabulous! It’s amazing what kids can create when their imaginations are stimulated and they are listening, following directions, and trying their best! You probably haven’t spied on them sitting quietly in their room drawing a giraffe like that before, but we bet you will now! Ask them to play “art teacher” and show you what they learned in class!
If you bring us Starbucks.
We recognize many parents have to be in three places at once during the summer so you’re welcome to drop off 10 minutes early. If you require an earlier drop off that that, or have an appointment and need to pick up late, please call in advance to arrange a time and get our coffee order.
We strive to be allergy conscious and provide a safe environment for your child. Parents/Guardians are responsible for indicating any allergies or other medical conditions of the child on the Permission Form, and promptly updating us if there are any changes to that information. ANY FOODS CONTAINING NUTS OR NUT INGREDIENTS, OR MANUFACTURED IN A FACILITY THAT HANDLES NUTS, ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. ALL SNACKS DURING SUMMER CAMP, EXCLUDING FRESH FRUITS & VEGGIES, MUST BE IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING, NO EXCEPTIONS. Click here for a list of nut-free snacks.
We exercise reasonable care and precautions to minimize the risk of food-related allergic reactions during summer camp snack time, including implementing, communicating, & enforcing our strict no-nut snack policy; however, small hands big art does not in any way ensure that the risk of food-related allergic reactions are completely mitigated, nor does it assume liability for any food-related allergic reactions. We require all children who are prescribed an epi-pen, inhaler, or diabetic monitor carry it with them at all times while on the premises, no exceptions. Parents/Guardians assume full responsibility for their child’s allergies and medical conditions.
We like to wear just enough make-up so as to look alive, but not so much that a student comments that they like the glitter on your eyelids or asks, “Why are your cheeks so sparkly?”.
Oh wait…
Should your child(ren) need to miss a class, please call the studio prior to the start of the scheduled class. We will be happy to schedule a make-up class (preferably during the same week). Please note: Any class that is missed without notice is considered a “no show” & is not tracked; it cannot be made up and no refund or credit will be given for that missed class. For a withdrawal after the first class, a prorated studio credit will be provided that may be used any time during the next 12 months.
In the rare event a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will either give you a refund or apply the class fee to another class at your option.
Yes! We have a lot of repeat campers who come either year after year, or for multiple weeks during the summer, and we spend a lot of time logging the projects our students complete each week (in class as well as camps), and reviewing that historical information when finalizing our project plan for the following week. This helps us avoid repeating an exact same project using the exact same materials.
Parties
The day of your party, our team is bustling around setting the scene for your shin-dig. We’d hate for you to get steamrolled by an art teacher zipping through the studio with a tray of paint & glitter, so for the sake of the cake you’ll be carrying, we recommend arriving just 10 minutes before your party time!
We are always coming up with new projects tailored for different ages and interests and will do our best to work with you on specific theme or project interests. We always strive to use the highest quality art materials with projects often completed on canvas panels and ready to hang at home. Peruse our photo gallery to see some of the fun created at past parties!
We typically don’t build this into the party plan as it takes away time from the art – however, if this is very important to include, please let us know so we can carve out extra time for gifts.
This is an ART PARTY and the art takes center stage! We want your child and his/her friends to have maximum creative time at the party, so we strategically plan our party times right before and right after lunch. Guests are always happy with a just a sweet treat (cake, cupcakes or doughnuts), + a drink!
Birthday party deposits are non-refundable. In the event of a cancellation, we will be happy to refund your deposit if we are able to book another party or event in your time slot. Non-refundable party deposits may not be applied towards other programs at the studio.
Maybe. We have aprons and t-shirts available but it’s less encumbering for kids to just wear clothes that are ok to get messy. If we are planning a super drippy project or painting with acrylic, we do suggest that kids go grab an apron but we can’t guarantee they won’t get paint on their clothes. Or shoes. Or in their hair…
With few exceptions, most of the materials we use in the studio are washable, but in our experience, even “washable” paint can have a mind of its own and can stain, depending on the fabric and other factors.
For parties, please don’t arrive decked out in your best party dress or black tie tux – party projects are usually planned with only washable art supplies but better safe than sorry!
Brand new purple suede Uggs are not appropriate footwear for art class. Old Crocs are a better option!
Policies
This is probably one of those questions you already know the answer to. At small hands big art, we prefer to share creativity, not germs. We sit side by side sharing Sharpies and pencils and oil pastels, so in consideration of others, please refrain from sending your child to the studio when they are feeling under the weather. Also, if your child is too sick for school, they are presumed to be too sick to attend art class later that day, no matter how miraculous their instantaneous healing is when you inform them they have to miss it. We reserve the right to restrict admission or send a child home, when, in our opinion that child is ill or risks the health or well-being of other children.
If you contact us in advance, we’re happy to let you enjoy a make-up class. Please note that “no shows” are not tracked for purposes of make-up classes.
We like to wear just enough make-up so as to look alive, but not so much that a student comments that they like the glitter on your eyelids or asks, “Why are your cheeks are so sparkly?”.
Oh wait…
Should your child(ren) need to miss a class, please call the studio prior to the start of the scheduled class. We will be happy to schedule a make-up class (preferably during the same week). Please note: Any class that is missed without notice is considered a “no show” & is not tracked; it cannot be made up and no refund or credit will be given for that missed class. For a withdrawal after the first class, a prorated studio credit will be provided that may be used any time during the next 12 months.
In the rare event a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will either give you a refund or apply the class fee to another class at your option.
Classes
Camps
Parties
