Faribault artist teaching free summer classes

By COLTON KEMP colton.kemp@apgsomn.com

As a toddler, Faribault artist Kate Langlais would draw and paint with any art supplies she could get her hands on. She took every art class she could in high school.

This summer, she’s on the other side of the easel as the instructor of her free classes, which are funded by the Minnesota State Ar ts Board, through a Creative Support for Individuals grant. She’s offering several painting and drawing classes for children and adults through mid-August.

One of Langlais’ favorite art movements is impressionism, which she teaches in some of her classes. She especially likes impressionists Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.

“Portrait art is one of my favorite things too, and I love teaching about famous artists who use symbolism in their work, like Frida Kahlo,” she added.

When she first finished high school, she began to teach art classes through her local community education center. She did various odd jobs to pay her way through college.

“My favorite thing about teaching a class is when a student succeeds at something new they were trying to do,” she said. “That pride they feel in their artwork is just amazing to witness.”

While many of her classes are for children and teenagers, several classes are open to all age groups.

Classes are typically held in Langlais’ backyard, but some are at Central Park and the community center.

In her backyard Wednesday morning with one of her two parent/child painting classes, budding artists as young as 1 year old painted with brushes and their fingers. On another area of the patio the youngsters learned what happens when colors are mixed together.

“I feel that offering more arts opportunities for youth is where my passion is,” she said. “Many of them crave more art experiences than the school day can accommodate, and especially during the summer there is often more time for that. I love their enthusiasm, the challenges and the development of young ar tists exploring new ways to create art.”

Some classes explore a range in art while others focus on mediums or subjects including portrait drawing, landscapes, Minnesota, the science of art, and impressionism.

Langlais’ own art experiences aren’t just a paycheck for her. In fact, she con- siders them a necessity.

If You Go

To see the full schedule of and sign up for the free art classes taught by Kate Langlais, visit her website: KateLanglais.com.

Art and teaching art is therapeutic for me,” she said. “I’ve especially realized this since becoming a mom: that getting time and space to create and teach art makes me feel whole and like myself again. I love when my students find art to be therapeutic too. I get a lot of feedback about that during my classes with adult students. It’s really such a human need to make and create.”

More Info

Keepsake Cidery is open to the public on weekends from March through December.

The schedule for summer and fall 2023: Fridays 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays 12-8 p.m.; and Sundays 12-6 p.m. Always open by appointment for to-go ciders.

Keepsake can ship cider to 37 states.