Harry Potter
Accio paintbrush! This October, Hogwarts comes to PopArts. You’ll paint your very own own Hogwarts castle! Paintings dry, pizza arrives, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone plays.. the most magical Friday night of the year!
What to expect
Hogwarts is calling and PopArts is answering. You’ll learn how artists use colour, light, and atmosphere to create mood and magic as you paint your very own Hogwarts castle scene. Then let your masterpiece dry, grab a slice of pizza, and settle in for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on the big screen. The most magical Friday night of the year? We think so.
Why you'll love it
Because painting a castle while a sorting hat decides your fate is just objectively a great evening. This event is perfect for Harry Potter superfans and curious muggles alike — no prior painting experience needed, just a love willingness to get a little paint on your hands. You might even discover a hidden talent.
Class details
PopArts happens on the second Friday of every month, 5–9pm — and this October, we’re turning the whole thing into a Hogwarts experience. Each event has its own theme, artwork, and film, and all supplies are provided. Just bring yourself (and your refillable water bottle.) Wands optional.
What’s included
$40 gets you the full PopArts experience — arts event, pizza dinner (gluten free option available), and movie included. Be sure to bring a refillable water bottle.
Prefer to skip dinner or bring your own? Grab a $30 ticket and still enjoy the arts portion and the movie.
Harry Potter
October 9, 2026Friday, 5-9 PM
Teacher: Jesse Armstrong
Ages: 6-14
Movie rating: PG
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Jesse Armstrong
Art Teacher
Jesse Armstrong brings more than 15 years of art‑teaching experience, joining CMS after relocating to Charlotte from northwest Pennsylvania in 2016. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Art Therapy and Art Education from Carlow University. Jesse is currently the fine arts department chair and teaches Contemporary Craft and Design to 9th–12th graders at East Mecklenburg High School. Before her recent move to high school, she spent a decade teaching elementary art. She has led CMS elementary art teachers as the district facilitator, helped write the K–5 visual arts curriculum, and earned nominations for North Carolina Rookie Teacher of the Year (2018) and CMS 9–12 Visual Arts Teacher of the Year(2026). Jesse loves working with local Charlotte art communities and has also attended and presented at numerous state, national, and international arts education conferences. When she’s not teaching, Jesse enjoys time with her husband and their two‑year‑old daughter. She also creates her own artwork and stays active on Etsy and Teacher Pay Teacher. This will be Jesse’s fourth year at CAM, and she’s excited to create awesome art with you and your child!Let’s be honest...
PopArts is for the kids. But it’s also a little bit for you.
From 5 to 9pm on the second Friday of every month, your child is in great hands creating, moving, singing, making friends, and experiencing the arts in a way that’s genuinely fun, not forced. No phones or iPads. No scrolling. Just real connection, real creativity, and a really good time.
We built PopArts because kids deserve more evenings like this where they’re engaged, inspired, and surrounded by other kids. Because the arts are best experienced together, not alone on a couch.
Grab your tickets. Drop them off. Go enjoy your Friday!