The River Fine Arts
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2022-2023 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
2022-2023 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
You can find our fall schedule on the "Schedule and Pricing" page, and you can register below by clicking "Register for our classes".
Questions? Send us an email at [email protected]
Hope to see you in class soon!
Developing God-Given Talents, One Child at a Time
Developing God-Given Talents, One Child at a Time
At The River Fine Arts, we offer a full range of dance, music, theatre, and art classes for the entire family.
Looking for a creative outlet for your family? Join us at The River and you will find:
* Arts education from a Christian worldview where we integrate faith and art every day in every class.
* A loving, supportive environment, with class options in dance, theatre, art, and music for the entire family.
* Attentive, caring instructors who are focused on their student's artistic development as well as their physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.
* Economical pricing for families- our registration fees cap out at $50 per family no matter how many students you have and we offer discounts for 2 or more classes. Recital fees are only $70 for dancers ages 2-5 and $80 for those 6 and up.
* Tuition-free dance ministry classes; a program for students ages 6 and up that includes bible study, dance, and service opportunities within a weekly class where we focus on connecting faith and dance.
* A wide variety of classes with options for Mommy & Me, Boys dance, Preschool art exploration, theatre performances, and much more in addition to our standard technique classes.
If you are looking for a home for your creative family, we hope you will consider The River.
We would love to talk to you anytime to answer questions and tell you more about the studio at 432-262-0298.
Come grow at The River!
Becoming Artists Fall Class Registration is Open!
Becoming Artists Fall Class Registration is Open!
We are so glad to have Lauren Nelson at The River to nurture our young artists.
She has a background in education and a love for inspiring creativity in kids!
FALL CLASS TIMES
Tuesdays: 12:00-12:45: Preschool- 1st grade
4:00-4:45: Preschool- 1st grade
Wednesdays: 1:00-2:00: Homeschool K-13
2:00-2:45: Preschool- 1st grade
4:00-5:00: 2nd grade- 13
Preschool- 1st grade classes are $70 per month
2nd grade-13 & homeschool classes are $75 per month
Siblings receive a $5 discount
And....if you sign up for a Becoming Artists class you can use our multi-class discount to take a dance or theatre class for just $40 a month!
What is taught in the Becoming Artists classes? Here are Lauren's plans!
đź’™School-aged kids (2nd-13) - The class will meet every Wednesday and include a lesson on the artist and/or medium we are focused on. We will then work on an art piece that is inspired by this! We will focus on how to properly use the medium and how to grow our skills. After they have completed their project for the day they will be allowed free time to play around with the medium and create whatever they want!
These classes are intended to most importantly be FUN but also grow your child’s skill and knowledge!
đź’™Preschool kiddos - (3-6- must be potty trained) Each class will start with story time and a lesson based on that theme. The kids will use unconventional mediums to create art! We will explore things like sponges, marshmallows, ice cubes etc!!! Kids will explore their sensory needs and have FUN!! The kids will be able to get messy and play with their medium! Children this age learn best from feeling and doing. Their little minds and muscles grow SO much from play during this age. Just holding the tool will help prepare their hands for writing one day! Art classes will allow your kiddo to get their creativity out with me instead of on your walls!
"I believe with all ages that allowing them to express their creativity is imperative for their growth! They learn to be themselves and I encourage them to create however they feel. Each of them can be and are artists!! Art is creating what you feel! Each of my students is incredible and it’s my goal that they leave knowing that!!!"
Registration Guidelines (please note that some of these are different from the other dance, theatre, and art classes that we offer)
*Classes begin Aug 30th
*Students remain registered in class each month unless a 2 week prior cancellation is given.
*You must save a credit card to your account for automatic draft.
Summer Fine Arts Immersion
Summer Fine Arts Immersion
Students ages 2-12 can join us this summer to tell stories through dance, art, and theatre.
Join us by the week or day for a creative immersion!
Weekly Themes:
June 13th: Around the World
* This special week will have Spanish instruction, create pinatas, and learn dances from Mexico, Spain, and Russia! Get your passport stamped as you learn about the greatest artists around the world!
June 27th: World of Wemmicks
* Journey to the world of wooden dolls who learn that their Creator made them special, and has plans just for them!
July 11th: The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson
* So many of our favorite stories came from this wonderful author- The Ugly Duckling, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, The Little Mermaid, and more. Join us as we bring these stories to life!
Aug 1st: When Dragons Were Good
* What if we could meet a dragon? Ride a Unicorn? Swim with Mermaids? Unleash your imagination as we dream about mythical creatures!
Production Camp
Production Camp
Looking to get a summer performance experience? This is your time! We have two weeks of Production Camp- come to one or both. Each week will include acting, dancing, prop building, costuming, set construction, choreography, and a chance to direct and set scenes. We will be working from some of the most loved scenes from the Wizard of Oz- so follow the yellow brick road to our summer production camp!
Christian Fine Arts Studio in Midland, Texas
Christian Fine Arts Studio in Midland, Texas
The River offers a joy-filled, Christ-centered environment for the entire family to explore their creative sides. We love artistic expression in all forms and want to provide a place where students can nurture those expressions while also growing in their faith.
We offer technique classes in dance, theatre, music, and art for all levels from beginner to advanced- and we can't wait to create with YOU!
Come gather at the River!
Every living thing that gathers where the river goes will live... Ezek 47:9
Meet Our Owner
Meet Our Owner
Lauren Knowles
Lauren Knowles
Owner and Creative Director
Lauren's love for dancing began in a Mommy and Me class at the age of 2 and was fostered over the years by many wonderful teachers and experiences. Music and theatre were loved and encouraged in her family and from grade school to college she was involved in various productions. Lauren chose to pursue dance as a career and studied dance education, theatre, and psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She graduated with a B.A. degree in Dance Education for grades K to 12 and Psychology Education for grades 7 to 12. It was here that she received the tremendous gift of dancing and working with the Sacred Dance group under the love and leadership of Maxine DeBruyn which greatly shaped her views on the intersection of faith and art. Following her graduation, Lauren moved to Midland, Texas to teach dance at Art and Soul. She stayed there and eventually directed for 6 wonderful years until moving to Ohio for her husband’s new job. In 2018, Lauren and her family returned to Midland, this time for her husband to step in as the director of Christmas in Action. Believing that art is not only a wonderful tool to develop children mentally, socially, and emotionally, but also a vehicle for ministry and spiritual growth, Lauren is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to be teaching and mentoring students again.