Mount Olivet School of Music & the Arts
A Musical and Artistic Resource for the Whole Community
Where music and art come alive—igniting your spirit!
The Mount Olivet School of Music & the Arts (MOSOMA) nurtures creativity and inspires artistic growth in students of all ages and abilities through private music lessons and engaging art classes.
Our dedicated music teachers offer exceptional one-on-one instruction in a warm, supportive environment, helping each student build confidence and develop their skills, whether they’re beginners or more experienced musicians.
In art classes, students explore a variety of visual art genres while learning together in a creative, community-centered setting. Through painting, drawing, and mixed media, you will discover new techniques and build confidence in expressing yourself visually.
If you are interested in more information about private lessons, please fill out the Interest Form or contact the School of Music and the Arts at 612.767.2262 or by email. Discover your creativity, find your community — join MOSOMA!
Private Lesson Instructors
Art Classes
What is Gouache? Art Class
Monday, August 11, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $45
Gouache is a watercolor medium that dries with a matte finish and can be transparent or opaque, unlike traditional watercolors. In this class you will explore this medium as you learn about mixing, layering and creating texture all well following step-by-step instructions as you create from an example in class. All supplies included. Register Here
Paint Like Berthe Morisot
Monday, September 22, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $40
Discover the beauty of Impressionism through the eyes of Berthe Morisot, one of the few renowned female painters of the movement. In this hands-on class, you’ll create your own acrylic landscape on an 8×10-inch canvas while learning about Morisot’s artistic style and her place in art history. All skill levels are welcome! Register Here
Middle School and High School Paint Night
Tuesday, October 28, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $40
Get creative with friends as you paint your own version of Van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night! Using a 16×20-inch canvas, you’ll follow step-by-step instructions to bring the masterpiece to life—or put your own twist on it for a one-of-a-kind creation. No experience needed—just come ready for fun and self-expression! Register Here
Watercolor and Media Art
Tuesday, November 11, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $40
Explore the creative possibilities of watercolor combined with pencil and pen-and-ink! In this guided class, you’ll learn to layer and blend these versatile materials to create a unique work of art. Step-by-step instruction makes it approachable for all skill levels—just bring your imagination! Register Here
Chalk Pastel Drawing
Monday, December 8, 6-8pm, Mpls Campus, $40
Dive into the expressive world of chalk pastels—an artist’s medium known for its vibrant color and blendability. In this class, you’ll learn foundational techniques such as layering, shading, and blending to create depth and texture. Through step-by-step instruction, you’ll apply these skills to design a finished holiday-themed drawing while gaining confidence in using pastels as a fine art medium. Register Here
For more information, or to be put on the email list, contact MOSOMA at mosoma@mtolivet.org.
Art Instructor
Vanessa Merry
Vanessa Merry moved to Florence, Italy at the age of eighteen to study the methods of the great masters in painting, drawing, and printmaking at Palazzo Spinelli. From here she continued her education and exploration of the human-figure, still-lifes, and landscapes at Atelier de Chimere in France where she enjoyed Plein-Air painting in the French countryside. She moved back to the United States where she attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota in Visual Arts and Art History.
She has been actively involved in the Twin Cities art scene for many years. Vanessa Merry has won several awards for her paintings in local galleries. She was the President of the Robbin Gallery in Robbinsdale, Minnesota and worked for WARM (Women’s Art Resources of MN).
Vanessa currently enjoys creating works of art in many different styles, but finds herself happiest when she is in the classroom teaching others all the skills that she has acquired in her studies.