Providing instruction, creation, presentation and appreciation
of the arts for and by the regional community

Upcoming Spessions
Our next session of classes will be held in July 7th through August 8 and includes a wide range of classes for adults, youth, and teens, including pottery, metal tooling, woodcarving, drawing, poetry, painting... read more on the Our Classes page of the site.

About Freshwater Arts
Freshwater Arts is a community based arts education center offering year-round classes for children and adults. All classes are taught by local professional artists. Freshwater Arts is a program of Waterville Main Street.

Location and Parking
We have moved! The classroom is now located at 74 Main Street beneath Barrels Community Market with the main entrance to the classroom located on the Concourse side of the building. Please park and enter from the Concourse side, where there is ample parking. Look for the brick building with the wagon wheels (right next to Adams & Worth). If attending a daytime class, please try to park toward the middle of the lot, if convenient for you.

Registration Information

How to Register

• IN PERSON: Stop by the Waterville Main Street office located at 177 Main Street, downtown Waterville, from 8:00 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday.
• BY MAIL: Mail completed form and check to: WMSt, 177 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901. Attention: Art Class Registration. Checks are payable to: WMSt.
• BY PHONE:Call 680-2055.

Payment: Waterville Main Street accepts cash, checks (made payable to "WMSt") and credit card (Master Card/Visa).

Fees:

• Individual instruction and materials fees are listed on each class description.
• All classes (single or multi-week) require a single $5.00 nonrefundable registration fee per family per session. Example: Families with multiple siblings or adults taking art classes are charged a single $5.00 registration fee per session in addition to the individual instruction and materials fees listed for each class or course.

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Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available for students to cover class fees and materials. These are made available on a first come, first served basis, with a limit of two per student. Scholarships may be used by families with multiple siblings to reduce costs and also by families with limited household incomes. No proof of household income or need is required. A $5.00 nonrefundable registration fee is still required for each student registered.

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Refunds
If you are unable to start a class, notify WMSt one week prior to the first scheduled class and you will receive a refund of your class and materials fees. The $5.00 registration fees are not refundable. There will be no refunds for withdrawals after the second class. Students not able to attend a rescheduled class due to illness of an instructor or weather will have their class and materials fees refunded. Full refunds will be made if a class is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment (less than six students). Refund payments will be made by check and mailed to the address on the registration forms. There will be no cash refunds. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

Cancellations
If Waterville Public Schools cancel classes during the day, WMSt art classes held during the day will also be cancelled. Evening classes may still be held. Please call the Waterville Main Street office at 680-2055 before 2 p.m. to find out whether evening classes will be held. Daytime classes will be rescheduled and students notified. Classes may also be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. See REFUNDS above.

Class Make Up
Every effort will be made to reschedule classes cancelled due to instructor illness or weather, and all students notified. Please see REFUNDS and CANCELLATIONS above.

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Volunteer Helpers
Art teachers, Colby College Museum of Art docents, members of the Waterville Area Art Society, members of the Freshwater Arts Curriculum Committee, and college level art or education students often assist with classes. If you are interested in volunteering your time for this program, please call 680-2055.

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Notes to Parents

• Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for art class. While smocks are provided, students should still wear clothing on which you won't mind seeing a few paint stains!
• In an effort to foster a sense of limitless creativity and freedom of expression, Freshwater Arts requests that parents and guardians remain outside of the classroom setting once class has begun. We appreciate your cooperation with this and look forward to watching your child explore and develop his or her own self expression through the Arts.

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