Minnetonka Center for the Arts

Specialties

The Minnetonka Center for the Arts makes art accessible! Everyone is welcome. At the Art Center you can make art, see art and buy art. There’s something for everyone here.

If you’d like to make art, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll find a class that builds skills and confidence. No matter what your interest, you’ll find wonderful teaching artists in ceramics (wheel and handbuilding), painting (acrylics, oils, watercolors or pastels — abstract to landscapes), drawing, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, photography and sculpture (bronze/​aluminum casting, welding and metalwork, and stone carving). We also offer art history lectures and workshops.

Not sure where to start? Try one of our Sampler Saturdays or call the Registrar (x. 16) to find a class that’s just right for you.

Many students come to the Art Center as beginners and build successful new careers as professional artists or discover fulfilling, lifelong avocations. In addition to classroom learning, the Art Center provides opportunities for artwork exhibition and sale for our students and members.

For children and teens, involvement in the arts provides both social and academic benefits. We offer weekend and after-​school classes in many mediums and Family Workshops for children and adults to enjoy art projects together. In the summer, create an art program unique to your child’s interests with our flexible and robust Summer Arts Camp for ages 5 to 15, with classes June through August.

History

Established in 1952.

More than 60 years ago, the Minnetonka Center for the Arts was born out of the enthusiasm, confidence, creativity and determination of a small group of passionate people. They agreed to take a summer painting class in someone’s basement and see where it might lead. By the time the Art Center was incorporated in June, 1952, it already had a reputation for providing cost-​conscious, quality arts programming.

For its first three decades, the Center thrived, outgrowing a series of rented spaces. In the early 1970s, the community purchased its first permanent home, a former elementary school on North Shore Drive in Wayzata. And over a weekend in February, 2002, the Art Center moved into its current state-​of-​the-​art facility. The large, airy and well-​equipped studios bring sunlight and the beauty of nature indoors and inspire students and instructors in their creative work everyday, now and into the future.

Meet the Manager

Roxanne H.

Manager

Roxanne Heaton,

Executive Director

Minnetonka Center for the Arts