When the Calistoga Art Center announced its series of Wednesday morning art classes at its relatively new art center digs at the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center a few weeks back, the crowd was nearly standing-room only.

“Judging by the turnout last week, it really looks like the people of Calistoga love having art classes in their own community,” said art instructor Vicki Long. “It’s really a perfect marriage. They want art classes and we’re happy to provide them.”

Long, who lives in Angwin, is an award-winning artist and teacher at Napa Valley College, where she’s worked since 1985. For the next seven weeks, Long will teach drawing on Wednesday mornings and painting in the afternoon. The classes are open to the public and free, except for a materials fee.

The community education program is one of several started by the Calistoga Art Center since the seven-year-old group moved into the center it shares with the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce on Lincoln Avenue opposite Doc Wilkinson’s Resort.

“Bonnie Thoreen is really the angel behind the program,” said Diana Patrick, past president of the Calistoga Art Center board of directors.

“The really neat thing about the classes is that because they are community education classes, they are free to anyone who wants to drop in,” Patrick explained. “This is not only something that can benefit the locals, but will also be attractive to anyone who happens to be visiting Calistoga and wants to experience art in Calistoga first-hand.”

The first drawing class had would-be artists focusing — in part — on learning to define the shapes of objects, like the handlebars, wheels or seat of a child’s tricycle by imagining the path an ant would have to take if it were to walk from point A to point B on any of the subject’s surfaces.

“Vicki has a wonderful ability to nurture students of all skill levels and help them get the perspective they need to develop their talent,” Patrick said.

About 18 students participated in that first class.

“It was surprising to see who showed up and the diversity of those who showed up,” Patrick said. “There were some senior residents, some high-profile business-types, people who are volunteers in the community and more. ... It just shows you how interested the people of Calistoga are in enriching their lives through the arts.”

Drawing and painting classes are just the beginning.

“Starting next month we’re going to start students working in clay,” Patrick said. “A kiln is being installed at the Art Center.”

Instructors in the clay, or ceramic classes include Calistoga Pottery artist Jeff Manfredi, artist Anne Pentland and artist Sharie Renault.

Classes are being considered for a host of other artistic disciplines, including dancing, and even writing, according to Patrick.

“Judging by the participation in last week’s class it looks like the Calistoga Art Center is going to go gangbusters,” said Long.

Supplies for the classes can be found locally at Silverado Pharmacy, according to Patrick.

“Materials are not provided for the classes, so there is sometimes a reasonable fee to cover materials only,” she said. “But the local pharmacy has also started carrying a great assortment of materials for the artists in town.”

Wednesday drawing classes run 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and painting classes, 1 to 4 p.m.