Rated 
by ‘Go City Kids’ parents ...
A positive review from you is the best possible advertising we could have. If your child had an especially good time, we would really appreciate it if you could share it with other Seattle parents on the Go City Kids website
I had been wanting to sign my kids up for an Early Masters class for some time and I am so glad it finally worked out. If only every art program could pay such close attention to detail like this! Shelley has 2 young kids of her own so she know just the amount of encouragement and praise to make each young artist feel confident and able to tap into their own inner Picasso. My children simply loved everything about this class and will certainly be returning soon. My only worry is that everyone will find out how cool Early Masters is and there will be no room in the class!
Submitted by Lisa Levine
added: 06/29/2010
Thank you again for the wonderful class. Hank thought the class was, "fun and he learned a lot." I was truly impressed by the art he created and how much he learned! The "gallery showing" at the end of the class was priceless!
Krista Wergeland July 1/2010
My son, who is all boy, cannot stop talking about art class. He loves it! My son has some fine motor problems and I approached this art class as one more means for him to work with and strengthen his hands. I have gotten so much more than that. We are talking about art; the art on our own walls, the walls of friends and family, the art in books and at school. He is quick to point out something he knows about an artist or a painting. How amazing it is that I am having conversations with my 7 year old that most people don't have until college...if ever. I am thrilled he is part of this school and I hope it will be a part of our lives for years to come!
[Submitted by Nicki Galipeau4/23/10
My daughter attended the MLK day Early Masters this week. She is a little bit reticent in strange environments and she came home just glowing with her painting (Migration Series # 58) and so proud, and bubbling with information about Jacob Lawrence. I cried when I saw her painting! Shelley is a wonderful teacher, who wrote with a photo & feedback the next day. We'll definitely sign up again.
[Submitted by Kelli1/19/10
My daughter attended the MLK day Early Masters this week. She is a little bit reticent in strange environments and she came home just glowing with her painting (Migration Series # 58) and so proud, and bubbling with information about Jacob Lawrence. I cried when I saw her painting! Shelley is a wonderful teacher, who wrote with a photo & feedback the next day. We'll definitely sign up again.
[Submitted by Kelli1/19/10
My granddaughter has attended several Early Masters classes, much to her delight. It is by far the best art school for children that I have encountered. Shelley's passion for art is incredibly infectious!
[Submitted by andrea a10/02/09
My 7 year old daughter just finished this camp (the 1 week Impressionists) and I am thrilled! She loved it, learned a lot, and her paintings surprised even me (her biggest fan and agent!). But the best thing about this camp is the teacher, Shelley. When it comes to teaching and understanding children, either you have it or you don't- and Shelley has some to spare! Basically, she empowered my daughter to see artistic expression as a form of self expression- and that is a lifelong skill she will appreciate forever. I really recommend Early Masters!
[Submitted by judith pieprz7/27/09
My daughter attended two summer camps and loved them. She lived the Impressionists, painting water lilies at the Arboretum and learning how radical they were compared to their predecessors. She met Vincent Van Gogh and learned to mash vibrant color on canvas. Shelley is an engaging and encouraging teacher. You won't be disappointed.
[Submitted by Anne Petersen7/25/09
This was hands down the best camp I have ever sent my child to. In one short week she went from "hating art" to drawing in her room every day. She now truly loves art and can't wait to go back to camp and learn more.
[Submitted by Kellie5/28/09
I cannot rave enough about Shelley's classes at Early Masters. While the art the kids produce is nothing short of amazing, she also packs in tons of info on the history of the artist, techniques, stories etc. I always look forward to our dinner conversations Thursday after class becasue my son has so many great things to tell us!
[Submitted by Lori Curran3/17/09
My daughter took a single class on Greece at Early Masters last year and wanted more, so this week-long camp was perfect! She gets so much out of learning and creating in Shelley's one-of-a-kind space!
[Submitted by Jennifer1/28/09
The combination of information, art and activities bring art and art history alive. My daughter loved the Greek program and retains the information and (most importantly) the inspiration to create, see art and make connections between Greek art and myths and contemporary culture.
[Submitted by Margaret1/23/09
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Early Masters is not a dry slide-show style presentation of famous works of art. The kids get to work making art in the manner of the artist they are studying while listening to the music of the artist’s time. Its amazing how much the kids learn and create in three days – and best of all they will never forget these artists.
I wish every child could have this kind of rich experience learning about art and creating their own masterpieces. Early Masters is respectful of kids and what they can learn and do. My daughter was in a creative frenzy for days afterwards.
Thanks!
Kelly Powers
The Wall Street Journal included Early Masters in an article about extracurricular education:
"Rebecca Young, a musician in Seattle, recently enrolled her 6-year-old daughter, Eva, in a five-hour course on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Though Ms. Young had her doubts about the Early Masters program, by the end of the week-long class, Eva could discuss Ms. Kahlo's painting style, place her in the context of art history and do a decent job copying her work.
On the last day of class, Eva asked to wear a Mexican-style dress and used Ms. Young's makeup to draw a thick, single eyebrow across her forehead, one of Ms. Kahlo's signature features. She even asked for lipstick to smear on her dress to look like blood -- a prominent detail in Kahlo self-portraits.
"I was a little shocked at first," says Ms. Young of the blood. But she discussed the request with the owner of the school and understood what Eva was doing. "I felt like she was happy there," says Ms. Young. "She grew through her experience."
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Clara absolutely LOVED the holiday session (Meet Me at the MET and Frida and Diego) camps. She learned so much. I will definitely tell others about the high quality of your program. Thank you!
Laura Phillips
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My son has never loved anything as much as he loved your art class (Leo and the Boys)- thank you for such a fantastic experience!
One of his Early Masters paintings will soon be displayed at the Blue Dog Coffeehouse!
Monica and Brian Johnson
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"Ella just LOVED her Frida Kahlo class. She has been telling everyone about Frida Kahlo ever since, and had us quizzing her over and over again. Then, when we act like we don’t know something (did Frida always wear dresses?) she acts like we are so silly, EVERYONE knows she wore pants when she was mad at Diego! That is very cool! You did such a great job bringing Frida and Diego to life for her!"
Margaret Hobart, Seattle
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"My just-turned-six year old daughter just completed the frida and diego session at early masters art studio. i was a little hesitant to send her not knowing if her attention would be fully there to really get the most out of shelley's teachings (this is art school not a daycare day camp for kids). i was amazed and thrilled. eva became frida, as did the other participants in the class, insisting on dressing in Mexican or colorful clothing and painting their eyebrows.
the work that these kids produced was quite unbelievable. eva never wanted to leave the studio at pick up and is ready "to spend the entire summer in shelley's classes." this was the beginning of an intense curiosity and understanding of what an artist really is. i can't wait to send eva back. this is a summer program where the money is very well spent."
Rebecca Young, Seattle
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"Olive went to the Frida and Diego session and LOVED it. She also loved Shelly, who was so organized and inspiring. It was a special opportunity or the kids to be introduced to the life the person and the work of interesting artists. Besides that, they got plenty of opportunity to learn and have fun with their own canvas' and with each other. Really great."
Sharon Royal
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"Maya got so much out of Early Masters in such a relatively short period of time. Shelley is obviously very successful in imparting her passion for art and artists to her students. "
Alodie Loney
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