August 3 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Enjoy the outdoors in Summer! Wild School students create nature-based art using a variety of mediums, engage in hands-on science, and explore the outdoors at Heritage Pond Education Center (formerly Pete’s Pond). The class explores different themes such as the art of camouflage, monarch butterfly migration, wild turkeys, ghost animals, and Indigenous art. Students gain knowledge of and appreciation for the natural world around them as well as learning art skills and making new friends. Parents or guardians are welcome, but not required, to stay with their child for the duration of the class.

Teaching Artists: Meghan Ballard and Amanda Welch

Meghan Ballard holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Portland State University and has done graduate-level coursework in Environmental Education. She has more than 15 years of experience in environmental education engaging K-12 science classes in stream and wetland restoration projects. She is owner and teacher of Blue Mountain Nature School, a member of the Blue Mountains Conservancy board of directors, and a mother of two.

Amanda Welch teaches art at Stella Mayfield Elementary School in Elgin, Oregon, and has a master’s degree in Arts Education. Although her main focus is fiber art, she spends a lot of time working with various mediums such as painting, photography and ceramics. She is also a mom of four and helps coach the La Grande Swim Club.

Cost: Free

Off-Site: Heritage Pond Education Center (Pete’s Pond), a Blue Mountains Conservancy property, is located at 913 South Miller Drive in La Grande

Free youth classes are made possible by the Art Center East Youth Arts Learning Fund. The Fund is supported by the Avista Foundation, Autzen Foundation, Blue Mountain Bottled Water, Eastern Oregon University, Grande Ronde Med Spa, Gray Family Foundation, Haley Hines at Blue Summit Realty, JTMF Foundation, Koza Family Dental, La Grande School District, Miller Foundation, Nate Conklin at State Farm, Optimist International of La Grande, Soroptimist International of La Grande, Tanner Willson at Edward Jones, Walmart Foundation, and community member donations.

Be sure to fill out a Youth Release Form & RSVP for ONLY your children below! Please be sure to add each child’s name that will be attending.

If you are 18 and under, and have not already filled out a youth release form, CLICK HERE to fill one out!

There are limited spots available for this class! If you RSVP and later find you’re unable to attend, please email ACE Programs Coordinator at programscoordinator@artcentereast.org to cancel your RSVP. This helps ACE open up spots for other interested students. Thank you!