Fine Arts
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Joseph Badalpour
Fine Arts Director
Phone (773) 274-9262 Email joseph.badalpour@auaf.us 
At the Assyrian Cultural Foundation, we recognize the intrinsic value of art, and the many ways it can illuminate our inner lives and enrich our world. We also understand the resulting impact art has on a wider scale, and seek to provide opportunities for Assyrian children to experience and embrace the arts.
The Assyrian Cultural Foundation Fine Arts Program is designed to help foster an Assyrian American community that is rich with social and intellectual diversity. Our programs are designed to give our students an intensive professional education in his or her artistic craft, and to prepare each student with a solid foundation in the arts. Our courses include the practice of various mediums.
Our goal is to identify Assyrian Americans with exceptional talents at an early age, and enable them to engage their talents to become effective cultural leaders. We strive to empower Assyrian students and provide them with the tools they need to excel in pursuing artistic studies and careers. Our mission is to produce excellent Assyrian American artists.
Discover Our Community
Assyrian Artists Directory
We are excited to introduce our Assyrian Artists Directory for emerging and working artists within our community.
Established
Working Artists
Meet the established Assyrian artists shaping the contemporary art world.
Browse Gallery →Rising Talent
Emerging Artists
Discover the next generation of Assyrian artists carving their place in art today.
Browse Gallery →To be featured in the Assyrian Artists Directory, please email us at finearts@auaf.us with images of your work along with a bio and link to your website or social media page.
All questions should be directed to finearts@acf-us.org or melanie.perkins@acf-us.org
Our Team
Staff
Leadership
Joseph Badalpour
Director
Melanie Perkins
Research and Artist Exhibition Assistant
Pardis Ahmadpour
Instructor
Christen Ketchum
Instructor
Kathryn Gauthier
Instructor
Gregorio Mejia
Instructor
Caree Jean Tolle
Instructor, Arizona
Enrollment
Apply
Choose the registration form that fits your needs to begin your application.
Questions? Email melanie.perkins@acf-us.org
Support Our Program
Fine Art America
Help fund our program by purchasing artwork from our collection below. Every purchase directly supports our students and instructors.
2025 Academic Calendar
Semester dates, breaks, and class schedule at a glance
Semesters
Winter
Jan 6 – Mar 30
12 weeks
Spring
Apr 7 – Jun 27
12 weeks
Summer
Jul 28 – Oct 27
13 weeks
Fall
Nov 3 – Dec 21
7 weeks
Breaks & Holidays
| Break | Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring Break | March 31 – April 6 |
| Easter Break | April 19 – April 21 |
| Summer Break | June 27 – July 28 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 2 |
| Fall Break | October 27 – November 3 |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 27 – December 1 |
| Christmas Break | December 22 – January 5 |
Weekly Class Schedule
Find the right class for you or your child
Quick Legend
Monday
Drawing
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Instructor: Kathryn Gauthier
Tuesday
Drawing & Painting
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Ages: 7 to 17
Instructor: Pardis Ahmadpour
Drawing & Painting
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Ages: 7 to 17
Instructor: Pardis Ahmadpour
Wednesday
Drawing & Painting
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Ages: 7 to 17
Instructor: Pardis Ahmadpour
Drawing & Painting
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Ages: 7 to 17
Instructor: Pardis Ahmadpour
Thursday
Oil Painting
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Instructor: Gregorio Mejia
Saturday
Drawing & Painting (Ages 7–17, all levels) — choose your preferred time slot
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Instructor: Christen Ketchum
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Instructor: Christen Ketchum
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Instructor: Christen Ketchum
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Instructor: Christen Ketchum
Ready to Enroll?
Contact our Fine Arts program for registration and questions.
Email: Finearts@acf-us.org