About Us

About the North Star Art Club

We're an artist lead After School Art Club in Minneapolis for students in the Twin Cities to enrich their arts interests, grow their creativity and develop skills and techniques. This isn't the sort of place where you pick out some craft and paint it whatever color you want, the North Star Art Club is for kids (ages 8 and up) that want to learn more about art and grow their ability through after school art classes or art camps. North Star Art Club is a Creative Space for students to develop their creative problem solving skills & visual arts techniques. We are free from the confines of grading and rubrics so students can let their imagination and creative individuality shine!

Our Founder

The North Star Art Club was founded by licensed art teacher, Richelle Norton. As a parent to a budding artist in Minneapolis, Richelle felt like there isn't enough spaces in the Twin Cities for kids to learn techniques to help them explore and expand their artistic talents.

Growing up Richelle's mom always allowed creative space, but was never stressed out by a mess and was her “North Star” for providing many and varied opportunities for Visual Arts and what would now be STEAM experiences. The North Star Art Club is inspired by Richelle's mom, Jean, and is a place for students in Minneapolis to be creative without worrying about making a mess.

Richelle is a former public school teacher and community member with her Master of Education from the University of Minnesota in Curriculum & Instruction, K-12 Visual Arts Licensure. She graduated with honors from Minnesota State University, Mankato receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Spanish Education and ESL. Her passion in both arts and language brings in global context as the arts help us see that the world is much larger than ourself and our community.

Liz Genrich

Liz is an educator and artist who has been teaching students from pre-k to high school in the Twin Cities and the East Coast for over 25 years. She wants students to be comfortable exploring their creativity and strives to create a positive and collaborative community in the art classroom. Liz loves teaching art history and exposing students to art from all over the globe. She hopes that introducing students to a wide variety of art and artists will act as a springboard for their own creativity.

Her personal artwork primarily focuses on watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media, especially exploring nature and interesting landscapes. She has a BA in Art History and a MED in Art Education and experience working in public, private, and charter schools as well as art enrichment programs.

In the News:

Former students of Walz hope to help him get elected the ‘homemade’ way

KSTP (ABC) 5 - Aug. 27th, 2024:

Before Tim Walz was the vice presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket, he was Richelle Norton’s teacher and coach at Mankato West.

“He coached middle school track, assistant basketball. They were involved in prom and senior class advisors,” she said.

Now Norton, along with a group of Walz’s former students from Mankato, are hoping to help him get elected as vice president. They’ve launched a grassroots “postcard” campaign to reach out to swing voters, with their goal being to connect with 5,000 undecided voters in Wisconsin and Georgia.

In the spirit of Walz, the teacher-turned-politician, Norton says it’s only fitting that current students get involved in the campaign. On Tuesday afternoon, her art studio was filled with students, ages 5 to 16, creating hand-painted postcards

Choosing the Right Art Camp for Your Creative Kiddo

Cameperoni - Aug. 22nd, 2024:

When it comes to picking the perfect art camp or program for your child, it’s more than just finding a place to keep them entertained—it's about nurturing their creativity and helping them grow. Whether your child is just starting to explore their artistic side or already has a passion for painting, drawing, or digital art, choosing the right camp can make all the difference.

We recently spoke with Richelle Norton, the founder of North Star Art Club in Edina. With her background as a trained educator in the Minneapolis public school system and her passion for the arts, Richelle shared some invaluable insights on what makes a great art program and how parents can choose one that’s right for their child.