Benicia Arsenal Shopping: The Linden Tree Art Classes

Patch periodically interviews businesses in the Industrial Park and Historic Benicia Arsenal. Patch interviewed Mike Vitale, lead teacher with in the Historic Benicia Arsenal. Vitale explained the philosophy of The Linden Tree's art education and told us about the classes available for students of all ages.

How long has The Linden Tree been in the Historic Benicia Arsenal?
The Linden Tree was founded by Linden in 1999. In 2005, when Linden moved away, she turned the classes over to me.    

Your brochure says, “Art is a way of thinking about, investigating and sharing things, feelings, ideas, the world, especially when words or numbers won’t do . . .” Tell me more about the Linden Tree philosophy of art education.
We believe that children learn best by doing what they’re interested in. I provide technical information as it’s needed but I never tell the child how to make his or her art. For example, if the students need it, we may do a class in portrait making or perspective. Color theory is integrated as we learn. Big classes have to impose lessons to impose some order. With six or fewer students I can work with each child and provide individualized instruction.

What classes do you offer?
We teach students of all ages and they work in a variety of media: sculpture, drawing, painting, collage, assemblage and more.  We offer Children’s Art Studio for children 5-10, which introduces children to the materials and methods of making 2D and 3D art. The class is customized for each group and each child’s experience and abilities. We have an open-age class, a teen class and an adult class.Class times vary each semester and we do our best to adjust class times to meet the needs of the families. The current schedule is available on the website.

What inspired you begin teaching with The Linden Tree?
I’ve been an artist for a very long time. And I’ve taught in several other schools.

What are the benefits of your Arsenal location?
We have an excellent studio space with all the equipment needed to teach. We enjoy overlooking the Carquinez Strait.

What else would you like to share with your Benicia neighbors?
We offer a free introductory class. Simply email or call for times. Anyone can take a class with no obligation to see if it is a good fit or not. Adults and children are welcome.  We are very open to all learning styles and levels and have found that even people who think they can’t do art, can.