'FIND YOUR THING.' The New Heights Art School, amongst the dozens of creative suites in Banbury Place (800 Wisconsin St., Building 2, Eau Claire), now offers educational courses for seasoned and beginner artists of the Chippewa Valley. Attendees can register in three tiers of courses at the school, from "Fine Arts" to "Guest Artists" sessions – featuring multidisciplinary artists from the community.

Launched by a soft opening in the past month, the historic Banbury Place of downtown Eau Claire has added another creative collective to its unique hub of makers and visual artists: the New Heights School of Art.

Tatum Heitz, founder of the new arts school and a University of Wisconsin-Stout graduate, will exercise their background in fine art studies to offer accessible arts opportunities for all in the Valley.

“Art shouldn’t come with barriers – just folks of all ages, all backgrounds and all experience levels creating together in a safe and welcoming environment,” Heitz said. “(What) sparks that fire in me is the school of art; my personal belief is that everyone can create. We just need to find your thing.”

Originally from Chicago, Ill., Heitz has been inclined towards arts education from a young age. Following their graduate studies in studio arts at UW-Stout and relocating to Eau Claire, Heitz found Banbury Place (800 Wisconsin St., Building 2, Eau Claire) to be the perfect location for New Heights School of Art to bloom.

As the primary educator at the school, Heitz features three distinct pathways for creative exploration: “Fine Arts” for the seasoned creatives, general “Art Classes” for exploratory play and specialized sessions led by “Guest Artists” from within the local community.

Tatum Heitz, pictured above.

Heitz noted, “The fine art classes, those (use) very traditional charcoal, colored pencil (and) acrylics.”

Online, Heitz also offers additional guiding principles to better understand beginner, intermediate and master skills levels and determine the right pathway for each student.

This month, from 6-8pm on May 20, Heitz will feature one of the first New Heights “Guest Artists,” Jenna Vande Zande – a library staffer at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire who works primarily with textiles, guided by environmental sustainability.

Vande Zande will host an embroidery workshop built for beginners, Heitz said.

“The majority of our classes actually take place after school (and) after work, so that we can cater to people's schedules a little bit better,” they continued.

As Heitz collaborates with guest artists or further develops individualized coursework, each instructors' purpose is to provide a supportive bridge – for every type of student – and cultivate growth through both technical skill-building and open-ended inspiration.

“A lot of these folks, they are doing this for the first time,” Heitz said of their cohort of students. “To be their cheerleader and be encouraging (of) them – guiding them but also letting them experiment, play around and see what works for them… I just don’t even have the words for it.”

"Intro to Embroidery"
Guest Artist - Jenna Vande Zande

6-8pm | May 20 | 800 Wisconsin St., Building 2 Suite 319, Eau Claire

“A workshop built for beginners! Taught by Jenna Vande Zande, an expert in textile arts and crafts, students will learn how to set up their first embroidery project and 6 basic stitches! For students ages 12+*”

*most classes are ages 10+ unless specified otherwise. Exceptions may be considered.

In the long term, New Heights School of Art will offer membership tiers for students to engage in courses on a recurring basis. Heitz also hinted at potential partnerships with the area university art programs to host figure drawing sessions – marking a full-circle milestone for the former Chippewa Valley student.

This May onward, locals can look to newheightsart.com for the complete month of courses, price points (classes range from $15-$75+/person) and other announcements from the New Heights School of Art.

“The more classes that we have and the more teachers that we are able to bring in, we get to bring in more specialties,” Heitz said. “We are here for the aspiring artists, we are here for the stick figure enthusiasts and everyone in between.”

The New Heights School of Art is located in Building 2 of Banbury Place (800 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire). Visit the art school’s webpage online to view the complete month-to-month course tiers and visual art classes in charcoal, watercolor, colored pencil and more.