The Art of Play
Creativity equals expression. Art allows each of us to play and express our unique thought and individuality.
Activities
Hours
The Art Station programs are temporarily located at:
Harmon Park Clay Studio (Directions)
Larkspur Community Center (Directions)
Area schools
Customer Service Hours:
Fri: 5:30 am - 7:30 pm
Sat: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Questions? Contact: Customer Service
Phone: (541) 389-7275
Email: Customer Service
Send email to Customer Support
Clay Studio
Discover the world of clay with hand building and wheel throwing classes. Our Harmon Park Clay Studio has everything you need to get started:
- Large Studio with Natural Lighting
- 6 Pottery Wheel Stations
- Electric and Gas Firing Kilns
See current offerings for youth classes and adult classes.
Multimedia Studio
The Art Station is the perfect place to unlock your creativity, learn how to create and make memories!
- Drawing, Watercolor and Acrylic Painting
- Printmaking, Fused Glass and Jewelry
- Multimedia Classes
- With Your Child Classes
See current offerings for youth classes and adult classes.
Our Kilns
Registered class participants, new and experienced alike, are able to take advantage of on-site kilns as part of their learning experience.
Please call if you have any questions or need more information (541) 389-7275.
Got an idea to share? Looking for a particular class or medium? Let us know.
Let’s Party.
The Art Station is a great place to hold private parties – the possibilities are endless! We can easily host guests of all ages, from toddlers to adults. At this time, Clay Parties are available at the Harmon Park Clay Studio.
There is no set-up or clean-up – all you and your guests have to do is show up, relax and have fun. Your private party will include all the materials for your activity, aprons to wear and a dedicated art instructor. You provide the treats, decorations and party supplies such as plates, utensils and cups.
Fees:
Clay Party: $250.00 in-district / $300.00 out-of-district for 2 hours
Includes:
1 hour for art/clay project instruction
1 hour for celebration
Book a Party
To book a party at the Art Station:
- Contact Bend Park and Recreation District at The Art Station at (541) 706-6114 to see if your desired date and time is available.
- Complete an Art Station Party Request Form and email it to ArtStation@bendparksandrec.org. You will be contacted within 3-5 business days to confirm your date. At that time, payment is due in full to reserve your date.
- Invite your guests and plan your treats, etc.
- Choose your activity at least two weeks prior to the event.
Important Information for Kids' Parties
- At least one parent or guardian must be present during the duration of the party – this is typically a parent of the guest of honor. For toddler (2-4 yrs.) parties, at least one adult per child must be present to assist the child with the art activity.
- Since we prepare everything in advance, the chosen activity/painting subject may be changed up to two weeks prior to the event, but cannot be changed afterward.
- It is the host’s responsibility to ensure the consent of attendees’ parents to participate, and notify The Art Station of any potential safety or allergy issues related to art making.
- Please ensure that following your event, all arrangements for on-time child pick-up are in place. It is the event host’s responsibility to supervise children whose parents have not arrived by the end of the party.
Art Station FAQs
What types of events work best?
- Kids’ birthday parties
- Adults’ birthday parties
- Holiday or other celebratory gatherings such as “Girls Night Out”
When should I schedule my party?
The sooner the better! We will schedule parties up to three months in advance. Schedule your event as early as possible to ensure you get the day and time you desire. Scheduling occurs on a first-come, first-served basis. Weekends tend to fill up quickly. Preview our calendar below.
When are parties available?
At this time, parties are only available Sundays. Contact the Art Station for availability. Parties offer a great deal of flexibility with respect to start times, so please contact us for more information and to book your event.
How many people can I invite?
- Adult Parties: 10 guests maximum
- Kids’ Parties (Ages 5+): 10 children maximum, with 10 adult chaperones maximum
What else do I need to know about the parties?
Payment: Full payment is required to reserve your day and time. You can pay with a credit card, check or cash.
Set-up: You may arrive up to 15 minutes prior to the event to set-up. Events end promptly at their scheduled times to accommodate clean up and preparation for subsequent classes/events. Please, no helium balloons.
Clean-up and take-down: Please take all decorations with you.
What if I have to cancel my event?
- Within 48 hours of reservation: 100% of fee
- 15 days or more before party/rental: 90% of fee
- 7-14 days before party/rental: 75% of fee
- 6 days or less before party/rental: No credit or refund.
Ready, Set, Throw!
The Art Station is the perfect place to unlock your creativity, discover new techniques and make memories! Not only will you have fun and learn a skill, you’ll also crate an art piece and functional ceramics or pottery.
- Pottery, Ceramics and Sculpture Classes
- Classes for all ages and skill levels
- With Your Child Classes
- Homeschool
See current offerings to browse upcoming classes for youth clay classes and adult clay classes.
Purchase Clay
Need more clay for an art class? Additional G-Mix 6 clay can be purchased from the district. Click here to purchase additional clay.
G-Mix 6 is a user-friendly, plastic clay that forgives and forgets. Works well on the wheel, in slab work or for handbuilding.
When purchasing clay, please be sure to write your name and date of purchase on the bag. Clay can be stored at the studio for up to two months from the purchase date.
Color Your Play
Train your eyes and hand to create art inspired by the world around you! Whether you’re learning new skills or perfecting your technique, we have new and engaging classes in:
- Drawing, Watercolor and Acrylic Painting
- Printmaking, Fused Glass and Jewelry
- With Your Child Classes
- Homeschool
See current offerings to browse upcoming classes for youth classes and adult classes.
Inspired Play
When school’s out, fun is in at the Art Station! Themed-based offer a mix of painting, pastels, drawing, clay, sculpture and mixed media possibilities are endless!
- Summer Art Camps
- No School Day Camps
- Holiday Break Camps for Spring and Winter
See current offerings to browse upcoming classes for youth art camps.
Let’s Create – Together!
The Art Station is the perfect place to unlock your little one’s creativity. We’ll provide the materials and instruction while you make the memories! Not only will you create an art piece, you’ll have fun and unlock the joy of working together. Check the current offerings for classes in:
- Clay Classes
- Multimedia
- Fused Glass
See current offerings to browse With A Child and young children upcoming classes.
The Bend Park and Recreation District will build a future Art Station following agreement from the board of directors at its Sept. 19 meeting.
In fall 2016, BPRD worked quickly to restart Art Station programs that were previously offered by Arts Central in the same building when the not-for-profit organization closed. Programs have featured a variety of mediums including painting, drawing, printing, sculpture, jewelry, glass arts, ceramics, pottery, textiles and mixed media.
The Art Station was previously located in the train depot in the Old Mill District. The Old Mill District discontinued a generous low-cost lease in April 2022, so the building could support the growing use of the amphitheater. This arrangement was intended to be temporary and was communicated to BPRD in advance.
Since spring 2022, the district has offered youth and adult art programs at Larkspur Community Center, Harmon Hobby Hut and in various Bend area schools. During this same period, district staff have been exploring potential sites and facilities for a future home for district art programs.
District staff recommended and the board agreed that a new Art Station facility should be built at Larkspur Park.
“Constructing a new facility for the Art Station at Larkspur Park provides considerable opportunities for shared staffing, co-programming and scheduling coordination,” said Matt Mercer, recreation services director. “The placement within a park also provides direct connection to both developed and natural areas that will enhance art programming and ignite creativity for youth and adults.”
Larkspur Park offers neighborhood park amenities plus some community features to create a multi-generational atmosphere adjacent to Larkspur Community Center at 15th Street and Reed Market Road. Larkspur Park has benches, paver walkways, a restroom, a meadow, a shade shelter, bocce court, horseshoe court, basketball court, connection to the Larkspur Trail, and other active areas.
Rotary clubs of Bend funded the construction of an “all children’s playground” in Larkspur Park, which is active year-round.
Constructing a new Art Station facility will allow spaces to be specifically designed to and built for the intended uses, including size and dimensions of rooms, utilities, finishes, etc.
Staff estimates the cost of the facility to be within the current budget allocation of $2.5 million in the district’s Capital Improvement Plan. This includes $500,000 in the current fiscal year and $2 million for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
A construction timeline is being developed now and staff anticipates opening the facility by summer 2026.
Use this contact form to send an