"Betsy has a special gift for teaching, that is the most important thing for our classes. She is encouraging, as well as knowledgeable, and she loves and respects the kids. I actually didn't think we could find such a combination so quickly when we needed to add more classes, but God brought us together. I'm very excited about her involvement next year."
Dennas Davis, director of Firstlight.

Our instuctors and director are Christians, and while we don't preach during classes, neither do we hide who we are. At Firstlight, we feel that God is the most wonderful creator, and since we are made in His image, He must want us to create as well!

The arts have sometimes followed the world in ways that we don't want our children to be exposed to. That's one of the reasons we began Firstlight. We want to do our part in redeeming the arts for our children, as well as for us - hopefully pleasing our creator as we create too.

We're always seeking ways to make learning fun and exciting, as well as safe and challenging. Please take a few moments to view our site and get to know us. Thank you for stopping by!


Vision Statement
Firstlight Arts Academy

We have several artistic teaching ideas here at Firstlight. Some are in-line with traditional thinking, but most may not be what you’d expect. We have been using these ideas since we began over 4 years ago, and there has been some spectacular work, but more important, there have been artists who are excited about what they can do. These methods absolutely work. One thing to remember, we are not about the business of creating wonderful artwork to take home and frame. Rather, we are all about empowering artists to have the ability to do what they love and do it well.

1. We do not usually work on crafts or copying existing artworks. These are great things and fun to do, but Firstlight is primarily for artists who want to learn how to create their own seriously great artwork.

2. The classroom environment should be a lot of fun. Students who have friends and get to talk and enjoy being together make great artwork.

3. We understand that every single person is different than others. What works for one student will be a problem for another. Only by individual instruction and nurturing will a teacher be able to help an artist grow in the direction they need to go. Also, every class will have a personality of it’s own, and students need to be in a class that fits is or her temperament.

4. We want our students to be confident and skilled enough to create art outside of the classroom environment. Many times our lessons will be targeting a technique that the student will use later. This means that much of the work that we do in class will not be frame-able artwork, or “keepers”, but is practice work, or “learners” that will lead to greater confidence in the future.

5. We try not to teach any particular style, as that is limiting to an artist. Each person’s style will grow from their own preferences and natural tendencies. Copying other artists’ styles is sometimes very helpful, but not often.

6. The art classroom should be a place to find encouragement rather than to receive criticism. If encouraged, students will improve on their own, at their own pace, leading to much greater confidence because there is enjoyment in their own work. Unlike learning to play instruments or learning a physical sport, which are skills and must be rigorously repeated, art is about creating, which must come from an inner place that is nurtured and encouraged, and challenged gently.

7. We believe that great art teaching is achieved by 4 fundamental axioms:

a. A teacher should always speak truth. Praising work that a student does not like, or that will not be praised elsewhere is not encouraging.

b. A teacher should impart techniques and methods that demystify artistic concepts and make creating easier.

c. A teacher should allow students to struggle with a problem before imparting the techniques that solve it. A student who understands the need for a solution, will retain it much better than if it is verbally explained before the experience.

d. A teacher should occasionally allow students times to express themselves without classroom requirements, so that their own style will begin to emerge. This will help their growth and proficiency in the subjects, techniques and materials that they prefer. During these times the teacher coaches individuals