Class Information & FAQs

General Class Questions

  • Payment plans are available for classes that meet for four weeks or more. The first payment, equal to 50% of the total tuition is required to complete registration. The remainder of the tuition must be paid by the middle of the class period. Payment plans will be agreed upon prior to initial enrollment and all accounts must be paid in full in order to register for additional classes. For more information, or to request a payment plan, please email education@chesapeakearts.org.

  • Yes! CAC offers private classes and workshops for both children and adults in dance, ceramics, visual arts, STEAM and MakerSpace. We love having groups, including Girl and Boy Scout troops, and hosting events like parties and team-building workshops! Pricing is based on the class activity and group size. For more information, email Ashley Lines, Education Director, at alines@chesapeakearts.org.

  • Yes, CAC offers field trips for K-12 students. For more information, email alines@chesapeakearts.org.


Ceramics

  • Open Studio - where students can utilize the ceramics studios on their own - is available to hobbyists to professional potters. Adults currently taking a ceramics course have access to open studio at no additional fee. Those who are not currently in a class but wish to enjoy open studio can pay a monthly fee. All individuals in open studio must be able to work without instruction and be familiar with studio equipment such as potters wheels, slab roller and extruder, as well as be approved by Cami Ascher, CAC’s resident ceramic artist.

    Open Studio is available to adults ONLY.

    To start the process of joining open studio, please email Cami at camilla@chesapeakearts.org.

  • Adults: 15 lbs of clay are included with all adult pottery classes. Please bring your own tools (available for purchase at CAC for $20) and towel. Firing costs 4 cents a cubic inch, calculated during the last class of the session. Open Studio access is included with all adult wheel and hand building classes.

    Kids: Kids classes do not require any additional tools or clay purchase. All materials are included.

  • CAC has two ceramics studios. Our main pottery wheel studio is located on the bottom level of CAC and is home to 8 pottery wheels, a slab roller, and our Kilns. Our handbuild studio is located on the top floor and include work table, slab roller and 2 pottery wheels. Both studios are utilized for classes and open studio.

    Complete list of equipment:

    3 Electric Barrel Kilns

    1 Electric Test Kiln

    1 54ft3 Gas Kiln

    1 Soldner Clay Mixer

    1 Peter Pugger

    1 Bailey Extruder

    10 Brent Potters Wheels,

    1 Wheelchair Accessible Potters Wheel

    2 Shimpo Potters Wheels

    6 Work Tables

    3 Wheel Benches

    11 Potters Stools

    2 Wedging Tables

    2 Slab Rollers

    6 Amaco Ware Carts

  • Yes, clay can be purchased from CAC at $.60/lb ($1.20/lb for porcelain). Please see the front desk.

    Yes, glaze is charged at $.05/cubic inch or $.03/cubic inch for projects over 1500 cubic inches.

  • CAC offers services for bisque, electric and gas firings. We also rent our kilns out to select persons/organizations. Please reach out to camilla@chesapeakearts.org for more information, including fees.


Dance/Theatre

  • While registration for classes is done on a semester basis (Fall, Winter/Spring and Summer), our dance program is built to be year-long, ending with a recital in our Hammonds Lane Theatre in May. During the fall, students will spend time learning the basics and building on their skills and technique. Winter/Spring is a continuation of Fall as students prepare to show off their skills in the annual recital! While it is not mandatory to register for both semesters, we believe students will get the most out of the program by immersing themselves in a specific class from September - May.

    Select dance classes are offered in the summer, but do not end in a recital or show. Summer is the perfect time to dip your toe into a new style of dance!

  • Yes, CAC’s dancers perform in a yearly recital, usually the first weekend in May. While participation is optional, we encourage students to join their classmates on stage and showcase what they’ve learned! Costumes are ordered in January (additional fees apply). Each dance receives 2 free recital tickets. Additional tickets are available for sale starting in mid-April.

  • Please consider donating the following new or used items to our Dance Department: leotards (black or pink), ballet slippers, ballet tights (footed), tan tights (footless), jazz shoes (girls and boys), jazz pants (girls and boys) and ballet skirts. All sizes are needed for students ages 2-18 years old. Please place all items in a secure bag and bring to our main office during usual office hours (Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm & Saturday 10am - 2pm)

  • For all classes...

    -Hair should be pulled back from face neatly and securely in a bun or ponytail. Shorter hair should also be pulled off of the face using a headband, elastics, or clips.

    -Distracting or long jewelry should not be worn to dance class.

    Ballet Classes

    For girls:

    -Solid color leotard

    -Pink tights

    -Pink ballet shoes made out of canvas, leather, or faux leather are all appropriate. Please do not purchase satin shoes that look like house slippers or ballet shoes with extra ribbons.

    -Optional: Separate ballet skirt, legwarmers, or ballet sweater

    For boys:

    -Solid color fitted pants in an appropriate length.

    -White fitted t-shirt

    -Black ballet shoes made out of canvas, leather, or faux leather.

    Jazz or Tap classes

    For girls:

    -Leotard without attached skirt -or- fitted t-shirt or tank tops

    -Nude (skin tone) tights -or- fitted bike shorts, leggings, yoga pants, or joggers in appropriate length

    For boys:

    -Fitted t-shirt or tank top

    -Joggers or athletic pants in appropriate length

    For everyone...

    -Sweatpants are acceptable as long as they are not oversized.

    -Sweatshirts or sweaters can be worn during warm ups only

    -Black jazz shoes (please do not purchase jazz sneakers)

    -Black tap shoes

    Modern or Lyrical classes

    For girls:

    -Leotard without attached skirt

    -Leggings, yoga pants, bike shorts, or joggers in appropriate length

    For boys:

    -Fitted t-shirt or tank top

    -Joggers or athletic pants in appropriate length

    For everyone:

    -Students will dance barefoot in both Modern and Lyrical

    Acro classes

    For girls:

    -Leotard, Bike-unitard, or bike shorts with fitted tank top or t-shirt

    For boys:

    -Athletic pants in appropriate length, bike shorts, or fitted athletic shorts with a fitted tank top or t-shirt

    For everyone:

    -Oversize or baggy clothing may not be worn for Acro classes for safety reasons

    -Sweatshirts or sweaters can be worn during warm ups only and must be removed before working on acro skills

    Hip hop classes

    -Comfortable dance or athletic attire such tank tops, t-shirts, sweats, and leggings

    -Clean sneakers that are not worn outside

    Musical Theatre Classes

    -Comfortable dance or athletic attire such as tank tops, t-shirts, sweats, and leggings

    -Participants should wear jazz shoes or clean sneakers to class until costume needs are determined

  • Except for specific “Grown-up and me” classes, parents and guardians are not allowed in the studio during class as it is distracting to our dancers. Our goal is for students to increase their confidence as they learn and grow in dance, beginning at a young age. Parents of children ages 5 and younger are asked to stay in the waiting area. Parents of children ages 6+ are welcome to drop off or stay in the waiting area.


Visual Arts

  • Unless otherwise stated, all of our adult classes are suitable to all levels. Our teaching artist will meet you where you are at, and offer guidance and support at every level. ALL are welcome.

  • Unless otherwise stated, visual arts classes include all supplies. If you happen to have specific supplies you like to use, however, feel free to bring them with you. Consistency at class and at home is always a plus!


MakerSpace

  • During Open Studio, makers have access to the tools and equipment in the Michael Stanley MakerSpace. Open Studio is available to anyone ages 16+ who has completed our safety training. For more information, visit https://www.chesapeakearts.org/makerspace.

  • WOODSHOP

    Bandsaw: Laguna 14 Twelve

    Bandsaw: Delta 14”

    Tablesaw: SawStop 3HP

    Scroll Saw: Rockwell/Delta 62-110

    Spindle Sander: Delta

    Disc Sander: 12” AMT

    Thickness Drum Sander: Jet 18”

    Belt/Disc Sander: Jet JSG-96

    Lathe:Jet 6”

    Planer: Rikon 13”

    Jointer: Jet 6”

    Compound Mitre Saw: DeWalt 12”

    Router Table

    Drill Press: Jet 15”

    Panel Saw

    DIGITAL FABRICATION LAB

    Vinyl Cutter: Graphtech CE6000-60

    Laser Cutter: Universal Laser Systems

    Laser Cutter: FSL Pro Series PS24 Laser

    3D Printers

    Computers with adobe suite

    SCREEN PRINTING

    One 4-color printing station

    Two 1-color printing station

    Exposure Unit: X-Vactor

    Flash Cure Unit

    Screen Drying Cabinet: Dri-Cab

    Wash-out sink

  • CAC hosts a monthly Maker Meet-Up, usually on the last Wednesday of the month. This is a time for makers to get together, talk about projects and collaborate. Reach out to maks@chesapeakearts.org for more information.