Candice Simpson is an art teacher, painter, and a passionate ‘wholeness through creativity’ advocate! She works as a COMPAS teaching artist and also teaches and creates in her studio in NE Minneapolis’ Arts District California Building. Candice worked as the Art Teacher and then Art Director at a day program for adults with disabilities, has taught workshops for children at the Walker Art Center, Art Start, virtual classes with Highland Friendship Club, classes for adults at the White Bear Center for the Arts, and several artist-in-residencies around Minnesota. She currently offers in-person group classes in her studio and online 1:1 art classes for adults.
Curiosity is at the heart of her art practice, with a drive to explore, stretch, and discover new ways and mixed mediums to interpret the delightful wonder she sees in nature, and especially in trees!
More About the Artist
Candice brings this same playful curiosity and sense of discovery to her teaching work, listening and watching to identify what lights each student up, so that she can support them to unleash their unique creativity and grow their skills and feeling of confidence, and joy! She focuses on finding the “sweet spot” of balancing each person’s support needs, while encouraging independence and gently stretching into new things. Candice has also been featured on Fox 9 News.
Program Offerings
Art Kit
Bright & Colorful You; Abstract Oil Pastels
This custom “Art Kit” contains a set of oil pastels, 2 pieces of pastel paper, a print of the project we will be creating (for inspiration), a “Hot Tips” reminder guide listing the top things to keep in mind when creating with oil pastels, and a fun surprise sure to make them smile!
Workshops
My 3D Watercolor Collage
In this series, students create 2 or 3 abstract watercolor paintings using unexpected and traditional tools such as eye droppers, toothbrushes, and paint brushes. Each student then gets to choose 1 of their paintings to keep as is, and 1 (or 2) to use as collage paper, along with tempera and/or acrylic paint, to create a 3-dimensional collage. The unique subject matter of each college will be decided by the student, following a collaborative discovery session called “My Favorite Things.”
Bright & Colorful You! Abstract Oil Pastels
In this fun art class series we will explore learning to express ourselves with brilliant and creamy oil pastels! Each student will create a gorgeous abstract piece of art while learning techniques and skills of “painting” with oil pastels. I will guide them step-by-step through the process, using conversation, demonstration, and 1:1 support. Each student will be invited to show off their work to their classmates at the end of the series, to promote confidence and sense of connection.
Residency
My Rainbow of Feelings
Navigating our daily emotions can feel confusing and complex. In this interactive and playful exploration of emotion through art making, each student will be guided to create expressive, tactile, abstract paintings using tempera paint sticks, watercolor pencils, rope, lunch bag paper, and more! This series integrates building both life and art skills such as intuitive expression, color theory, group conversation, and open-heart sharing and listening; so that each student gets to learn new ways of experiencing their emotions and tools of expression that transform confusion into peace and ease.
“They had the BEST time and are so excited for her next class. The way Candice got them all to open up and engage with her and one another, it was magical! I saw my sister become more resilient and learn to use her own creative ideas. At the end of class my sister seemed so confident and proud, I loved seeing that!”
Alex S., sister of art student
“You give him wings!”
Stacey L., mother of art student
“Candice is a unique individual-she knows how to bring out the best in her students. Candice supported my daughter in ways that have developed her confidence and independence as an artist. Candice is an outstanding art teacher who individualizes her instruction to meet the diverse needs of her students.”
Asha J., professor of Psychology, University of Minnesota
