marwenarts
REGISTER I Summer 2023 Course Schedule
Updated: May 10

Photos: Young people creating artwork throughout Marwen's studios.
[Haga clic aquí para ver y registrarse para cursos en Español]
Marwen’s free programs exist for young artists in Chicago who want to explore visual arts, can commit to a 2-week art class, are in 6th-12th grades during the 2023/24 school year, and do not have access to arts programming due to financial and systemic barriers. Learn more about our values and how we invest in the power of young artists.
What to know before you register:
Registration is open for two weeks (May 10 - May 28) at marwen.org/registration
New to Marwen? New Student Orientation is required. START HERE
Summer term includes 24 in-person courses
COVID vaccinations are no longer required but highly recommended.
Each course meets 5 days a week and runs for 2 weeks.
Session 1: June 20 - 30
Session 2: July 10 - 21
Have questions? Reach out to us anytime at registrar@marwen.org or via text at 312.374.2968.
Table of Contents:
Session 1: June 20 - 30
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE

CLASS OPTIONS FOR SESSION 1: Middle School
Course #1
Snap Happy Photography
Taught by Michelle Martinez
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
Learn the basics of digital photography and make mind-blowing pictures from different angles while exploring our beautiful city and neighborhoods near Marwen. Artists will learn step-by-step how to use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom in order to refine their works of art.
Course #2
Painting from Photos
Taught by Katie Romans
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
Have you ever wanted to remake your favorite photos as colorful and bold acrylic paintings? Take your painting skills to the next level by learning how to paint with different brush techniques and color mixing. Develop your style through individual and collaborative prompts that challenge you to paint from photos in new imaginative ways.
Course #3
Sew What?
Taught by Faviola Anaya Esquivel
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
Do you want to re-energize your wardrobe and meet new friends while learning sewing fundamentals? Learn how to dye fabric, hand sew, bead, and embroider. Create stellar, one-of-a-kind artworks to wear and share with friends.
Course #4
Character Design
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
If you were a superhero, what color spandex would you wear? Develop and design a character with their own signature looks and super powers. Learn the basics of figure drawing techniques, digital illustration, and color theory in mediums ranging from pens and pencils to Procreate on an iPad. Join us as we dive into the world of character design!
Course #5
Food Sculptures
Taught by Alex O’Neill
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 6-8
Are you a foodie who enjoys sculpting and painting? Explore mixed-media sculpture to create food-themed art. Talk about your favorite foods, and turn them into real life sculptures using air dry clay, wood, plaster, paper, and more. Celebrate with a class picnic where you can showcase your “culinary” creations.
Course #6
Clay Creatures
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 6-8
Have you ever wanted to create creatures from clay but not sure where to start? Let your imagination run wild and explore the world of sculptural ceramics! Learn hand-building and a variety of sculptural techniques that can bring your dream characters like robots, alien puppies, dragons, monsters, and more to life.
Course #7
Speed Drawing [AVAILABLE SESSION 1 & SESSION 2]
Taught by Alex Goldin
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 6-8
Do you want to get better at drawing people? Learn how to sketch faces and figures in 5 minutes or less...guaranteed! Travel to museums, parks, and other fun places and practice quickly capturing people's likeness. You’ll meet cool people while filling your sketchbook!
CLASS OPTIONS FOR SESSION 2: Middle School
Course #8
Picture Perfect
Taught by Joselyn Corona
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
Develop an eye for portrait photography by learning how to capture the personality of a person or group. Learn how to take portraits with lighting, backgrounds, and poses, and discover how to perfect your photos using editing tools like Lightroom and Photoshop. Get ready to fall in love with photography, and create stunning works of art!
Course #9
Pieces of You: Mosaics
Taught by JoVonna Jackson
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
Do you enjoy collage and sculpture and want to try something new? Brighten up your home with handmade mosaic masterpieces. Learn to arrange glass and tiles to create 2D or 3D patterns and designs. Create a mosaic mirror, frame, or planter that showcases your personal style.
Course #10
Clay Games
Taught by Janiece Maddox
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
Have you ever wanted to make your board games from scratch? Use ceramic hand-building and sculptural techniques to learn how to make boards and pieces for games like chess, Monopoly, Dungeons and Dragons, and more. Make any board game you can think of, or even make up your own! We will discuss the importance of having fun and building community in exciting and playful ways.
Course #11
Block Party: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking
Taught by Rebecca Wolsten
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 6-8
Did you know that before we had printers there was printmaking? Experiment with block printing techniques including carving, inking, layering, and collage to create unique and colorful images. Take inspiration from the city around you by going on walks to sketch and collect textures.
Course #12
It’s Alive! Claymation
Taught by Pablo Monterrubio
Time: 1:30 - 4PM / Grades: 6-8
Do you enjoy the sets, scenes, and characters from Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas? Experiment with basic stop-motion techniques including puppet animation, paper-cut outs, pixilation, hand-drawn stop-motion, and claymation, watch your creations come to life.
Course #13
Cosplay & Costume Creations
Taught by Eseosa Edebiri
Time: 1:30 - 4PM / Grades: 6-8
Do you enjoy Halloween, costumes, and cosplay? Learn how to transform your everyday look by learning how to use a sewing machine, and pattern making. Use materials like wire, paper mache and fabric to create wings, masks, scales and tails to take your look to the next level!
Course #14
Speed Drawing [AVAILABLE SESSION 1 & SESSION 2]
Taught by Alex Goldin
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 6-8
Do you want to get better at drawing people? Learn how to sketch faces and figures in 5 minutes or less...guaranteed! Travel to museums, parks, and other fun places and practice quickly capturing people's likeness. You’ll meet cool people while filling your sketchbook!
HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE

CLASS OPTIONS FOR SESSION 1: High School
Course #15
Painting with Watercolors
Taught by Jimena Hernandez
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 9-12
Did you know that there is no single way to paint with watercolors? Discover different ways to paint and the unexpected effects you can achieve with salt, rice, bleach, and more. Finish the course with a hand-bound book of watercolor experiments and portfolio-quality illustrations.
Course #16
Reduce, Reuse, Remix
Taught by Sarita Hernandez
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 9-12
Did you know you can make artworks from things in nature? Learn how to make your own paper with natural materials and seeds that will attract pollinator butterflies. Then use water-based ink to make silk screen prints of your original drawings and photos. Join artists of all identities in fighting for our environment by making creative work that helps the Earth instead of harming it.
Course #17
Selfie-ish: Darkroom Photography
Taught by l o t i Walker
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 9-12
Explore the basics of black and white darkroom photography, and experience this medium through a different lens. This course is all about slowing down and unplugging by creating selfies and portraits through analog photography. Discover the power of capturing yourself and your friends using traditional techniques that will help you connect with your inner artist.
Course #18
Graffiti Murals
Taught by Miguel Del Real
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 9-12
Are you inspired by street art and graffiti around the city? Learn to make your mark by experimenting with graffiti and street art styles as you design personal graphics and color schemes with acrylic and spray paint.
CLASS OPTIONS FOR SESSION 2: High School
Course #19
Chicago Photography Reimagined
Taught by Katie Rodrigues
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 9-12
Explore Chicago, and push the limits of what's possible with traditional photography! Learn camera-free darkroom processes including photograms, photo transfers, solarization, lumen prints, and cyanotypes and photo transfers. Use a variety of materials and techniques to create a dreamlike piece that expresses your connection to our city.
Course #20
Tattoo Design
Taught by Janani Nathan
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 9-12
Explore the art of tattoos and stickers to create new and unique designs. Learn the fundamentals of drawing and sketching. Create digital illustrations on Procreate, print temporary tattoos, carve linocut stamps, block print on garments, and photograph your designs on the body. By the end of the class, you'll have a portfolio of custom designs for tattoos, stickers, and garments.
Course #21
Upcycling Fashion
Taught by Izzy Jackson
Time: 10AM - 12:30PM / Grades: 9-12
Learn how to give second- hand clothes a new life! Learn how to restructure garments and learn DIY fashion techniques to add to your unique style. Finish the course with a better understanding of your artistic perspective and intermediate sewing and pattern-making skills. Create a cool new denim bag ,or wallet, or whatever else your mind can dream up. All skill levels are welcome.
Course #22
3D Toy Designs
Taught by Rosalia Marzullo
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 9-12
Bring your ideas to life by designing, 3D printing, and packaging a unique collectible 3D-modeled character. Get ready to unleash your creativity and design a toy that stands out on the shelves!
Course #23
Portraits Through the Multiverse
Taught by Gabriel Mejia
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 9-12
Learn the art of the self-portrait while discovering new aspects of yourself, your identity, and the limitless possibilities using the concept of the multiverse. Learn various painting, drawing, and photography techniques to help you reimagine who you could be in a different universe and reinvent your artistic style.
Course #24
Custom Planters & Pots
Taught by Janiece Maddox
Time: 1:30PM - 4PM / Grades: 9-12
Make custom pots for any and every plant you can imagine, from chia pets to monstera planters and everything in between! Focusing on handbuilding techniques, create personal and unique fantastical pieces of art that hold a small piece of nature inside. Take home a living plant in the pot you create.