Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Prosper Arts: Art Classes Spring 2026
All students must complete a project for these classes.
Grade: K-12
Format: In-person
Location: 117 W Ferry St. Berrien Springs Mi. - Studio is located above the Rabbit Yarn shop. Parking is on the street and the entrance is in the back. (Look for the green Prosper Arts signs)
Contact: Heather West: 269-351-2351 (call or text)
Additional registration on-site is not required.
Messy Crafts for Kids: Grades K-3
Instructors: Heather West and Angel Pearce
Date/Time: Thursdays 12:00 PM -1:30 PM, beginning January 29th
In this class, we will create fun crafts for young learners that involve lots of sensory fun. Glitter, glue, slime, paint, and more. Kids will have a great time trying new things and the best part is that the mess is at our studio, not your home! Each class will have a lesson or story at the beginning, craft time, and a snack/game time. (While we do provide aprons and encourage carefulness, but accidents happen and students should dress accordingly).
Mixed Media: Grades K-5
Instructors: Boeun Grace Son
Date/Time: Mondays 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, beginning January 26th
In this beginner level class we will create many fun projects using lots of different mediums. Each class will begin with an art lesson or story from the teacher with a snack and break time in the middle of each class. Each week the teacher will quiz students on the previous week’s lesson with the opportunity for students to earn small prizes.
Cute Kawaii Art: Grades K-8
Instructors: Boeun Grace Son
Date/Time: Wednesdays 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, beginning January 28th
In this class we will learn to create Kawaii art, a style developed by Japanese artists in the 1990s. It is characterized by big eyes, bright colors, and simple designs. We will learn to use soft lines and rounded shapes to create cute characters. The idea behind kawaii drawing originally was and still is to simply make people smile and feel happy.
Students will be separated into groups by age and/or skill level if needed.
Anime and Manga Art: Grades 5-12
Instructors: Boeun Grace Son and Heather West
Date/Time: Wednesdays 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, beginning January 28th
In this class we will create art in the style of anime focusing on human and animal figures. Students may learn to draw characters they already know and create their own through different projects. Each week there will be a short lesson at the beginning of class and a snack in the middle. This class is open to 5th-12th grade and will be split into two tables by age groups if we have a full class.
Junior Masterclass: Grades 1-6
Instructors: Heather West
Date/Time: Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, beginning January 27th
This class is intended for younger students who show artistic talent and show the ability to focus for longer times to learn more advanced techniques. Please reach out to Mrs Heather to discuss if you are unsure which class would best fit your student.
Class projects are chosen in part by the students and may cover several styles throughout the semester (Realism, animated, impressionism, abstract, etc). The goal is for students to grow in the area of art they already love while the teacher chooses some projects and new mediums to challenge students to grow and try new techniques. There will be a snack provided during each class.
Masterclass: Grades 6-12
Instructors: Heather West
Date/Time: Tuesdays 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, beginning January 27th
This class may focus on projects in several styles chosen by teacher and students together (Realism, animated, impressionism, abstract, etc) The goal is for students to grow in the area of art they already love while the teacher chooses some projects and new mediums to challenge students to grow and try new techniques. Often, students in this class are able to focus and learn quickly which allows us to create large scale projects that can take several weeks to complete. It is common for students to only complete one or two large projects throughout the semester, especially when we focus on light, depth, and proportions in more realistic styles. There will be a snack provided during each class.
Watercolors: Grades 3-12
Instructors: Boeun Grace Son
Date/Time: Mondays 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM, beginning January 26th
In this class, students will be split into groups by age if needed and will focus on learning beginner- intermediate watercolor techniques including animated, abstract, and realism styles. Projects will be selected by the teacher throughout the semester to meet student’s interests and skill levels and challenge them to try new things.
World Art History: Grades K-5
Instructors: Heather West and Angel Pearce
Date/Time: Thursdays 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, beginning January 29th
In this class, we will create projects inspired by cultures and artists around the world throughout history. ( such as upside down paintings inspired by Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel murals, Aboriginal dot art from Australia, Japanese print making like Katsushika Hokusai, and many more). Each class will begin with a lesson and have a snack break in the middle.
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Hilary Burchett
