I have truly enjoyed the classes I've taken at Lyon Road Art! All the teachers and staff are so supportive and experts in their fields! Highly recommend!

— Rebecca L.

What Our Students Have to Say

  • Don’t be intimidated if you aren’t “good at art”. This is a lovely way to try something new. Zero pressure to do anything except be open to learning something new and fun. The instructors make it easy to follow along and the novices fit right in with the Rembrandts. Watercolor birch trees is a great place to start if you are new to watercolor and want to practice this technique. Then don’t be afraid to try river rocks or dog portrait- all fun and very low-stress in a creative environment with al the supplies you need for your project.

    — Bridget G.

  • My son and I have attended the open art studio 'class' a number of times. Cole always has an interesting theme and is truly interested in students' work. We've only had great experiences at Lyon Road Art.

    — Paul E.

  • My three kiddos are in a three week art class with Cole. They love it! They enjoy their art making experience and are so impressed by Cole and Kaitlin’s art that’s around the studio! In fact, we’ve purchased some of Kaitlin’s art, as it’s so unique, educational and absolutely stunning.

    — Christina M.

  • I took a portrait class with Cole. It helped me enormously.

    — Ken O.

  • Lyon Road is incredible! Great instruction for all ages. Such a wonderful studio space. We love the variety of classes, projects and teachers!

    — Elizabeth C.

  • An incredible gem in the heart of Waunakee! I hosted my daughters birthday party here and it was fabulous! Kaitlin did an incredible job catering to what art my daughter was interested in and kept all the kids interested. At the end we even had an impromptu karaoke party. It was a huge success! I would highly recommend this studio for any classes or private events.

    — Sarah K.

  • The Academy at Lyon Road Art has been amazing experience! My child absolutely loves spending time at The Academy at Lyon Road Art. The art and craft projects are engaging, colorful, and perfectly suited for young artists—they come home excited to show what they made and to tell us how they created it. The instructors are truly wonderful. My child especially enjoys the warm, positive interactions with the teachers, who always encourage them to try new ideas and explore different materials.

    — Ziqing W.

  • The Academy at Lyon Road Art Makerspace classes are absolutely outstanding for kids! The program perfectly blends creativity, hands-on learning, and confidence-building in a fun, supportive environment. Kids don’t just follow instructions—they experiment, design, build, and truly create. The instructors are patient, knowledgeable, and fantastic at encouraging curiosity while teaching real skills. The makerspace is well-organized, inspiring, and filled with materials that spark imagination and problem-solving. Whether it’s art, design, or creative engineering, every class leaves kids excited, proud of their work, and eager to come back. This is more than an art class—it’s a place where creativity grows and young makers thrive. Highly recommended for any parent looking to nurture innovation and confidence in their child!

    — Megan S.

  • I’ve taken 4 adult water color classes from Kaitlin at The Academy at Lyon Road Art in the last year: Intro to Water Color, Intermediate Water Color, Painting Water with Water Color, and Summer Sunsets with Water Color. Kaitlin is an amazing artist and a thoughtful and fun teacher! Class sizes are small, everyone is friendly, and most importantly you are able to improve your skills as an artist - regardless of your skill level. I haven’t personally experienced classes for children, but I know many are offered. I highly recommend The Academy at Lyon Road Art for anyone thinking of taking art classes!

    — Pamela A.

  • I have purchased several gift certificates for my granddaughters, ages 12 and 15. They love all of their experiences at Lyon Road Art. Thanks to Kaitlin for being so helpful and welcoming.

    — Evonne E.

  • My son absolutely loves the younger kid art classes. He gets so excited every Monday to come in and work on something new. It's always awesome to pick him up and have him show me what he was working on.

    — Michelle A.

  • The kids’ art classes are fantastic! Cole is a wonderful teacher, helping students create works they are truly proud of. We’re so happy to have found this art studio.

    — Jenna N.

  • The Academy at Lyon Road Art is a wonderful place for kids to explore creativity and build confidence through art. The studio is warm, welcoming, and beautifully organized, making every visit feel inspiring. The instructors are patient, encouraging, and truly passionate about teaching. My kids really like to spend time in the studio.

    — Yugu L.

  • Our sweet 9 year old girl has taken Kaitlin's Pen & Ink Illustration class as well as a kids acrylic paint class. She LOVES her classes, learns so much & is really proud of what she creates. As a parent, I find great comfort and joy that she's being supported in a positive environment learning technical skills. 10/10 would recommend ANY and ALL classes with Kaitlin!

    — Erin J.

  • The Academy at Lyon Road Art has been a wonderful place for our daughter to go! They are always so kind and patient with her, allowing her to explore the world of art! Highly recommend their classes. The month long classes are nice because it allows the children to explore so many different concepts in one or multiple disciplines.

    — Aubrey S.

  • Kaitlin is an absolute pleasure to learn from! I’ve taken 2 of her watercolor classes and enjoyed my time immensely. I started as a true beginner and felt confident and enjoyed using watercolor after taking her classes. She provides the right amount of instruction and support while also letting you explore and express your own creativity and style. I will definitely be back to take more of her classes and hope to get my child enrolled in some as well!

    — Kayla D.

  • Kaitlin is an amazingly talented artist! She will not disappoint! Shop Local to support our small businesses!

    — Tammy D.

  • We set up a special session with Kaitlin for just my 7 year-old granddaughter and me. It was amazing how much we both learned in such a short time, and what a cool painting we both left with. Evelyn was full of excitement and chatter as we walked out and has accurately explained what she learned about the color wheel and painting with watercolors with her family and friends. We just set up a second session with Kaitlin!

    — Maury C.

  • Kaitlin is an excellent teacher. Despite not having used watercolors since grade school, I ended up with two paintings I am proud of. The class has inspired me to paint on my own, and I'm taking additional classes from Kaitlin in the future.

    — Shannon G.

  • I loved the watercolor class. The 3 hours flew by and Kaitlin was a good teacher, funny and helpful with my first time! — Dayle P.

    — Dayle P.

  • I brought my 4 Granddaughters to the open studio time. They really enjoyed it. Everything was supplied and they each had a small painting to take home.

    — Lisa B.

  • What a cool shop! Stop in and take a look around, the artist has her studio right on site and is super friendly. Humanity is beautiful inside and out and she has a unique way of showing that.

    — Ashley M.

  • Kaitlin Walsh is an incredibly talented artist and an exceptional teacher! Take her class, you will not be sorry.

    — Kristi W.

  • I fell in love with watercolors from the very first class with Kaitlin - very inspiring artist and a great teacher. I can’t wait to learn more at the next session.

    — Nadia D.

  • Our family absolutely loves the Academy at Lyon Road Art! My son has taken several classes and participated in several showings, and my daughter and I recently joined him for a fall session focuses on apple paintings. The instructors are patient and kind, the environment is warm and well organized, and the classes themselves were incredibly fun and engaging. I would highly recommend for both kids and adults!

    — Natasha S.

  • Love this place! My son has taken a few of their art classes and always has a great time. The staff are always so helpful and patient. Pricing is extremely affordable.

    — Sara K.

  • My daughter (10) had a wonderful time at the studio. I would recommend.

    — Joseph C.