Register for FREE classes happening July 8 - August 2, 2024
Marwen offers free studio classes and workshops, plus special events for families and supporters throughout the year.
Marwen’s free programs exist for young artists in Chicago who want to explore visual arts, can commit to a multi-week art class, are in 6-12th grades during the 2024/25 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.
Returning student? You’re first in line to select classes! Online registration is open April 24 - June 21, 2024 at marwen.org/registration. Bookmark this link now and add it to your calendar so you get first pick of Summer classes.
New to Marwen? Welcome! To get started, first complete our Interest Form. We'll follow up via email to schedule a required, in person, 2-hour orientation at Marwen (833 N. Orleans Street) for Saturday, May 11 or Saturday, June 15, where you will get a full tour of our galleries and studios, meet staff, and be able to register on the spot. There is also a virtual orientation option available on Saturday, May 25.
Key information:
Summer term runs July 8 - August 2, 2024. There are 2 sessions: July 8-19 and July 22-August 2.
Summer term offers 25 unique classes. Each class meets five days a week, Monday through Friday, either in the morning (10 AM - 12:30 PM) or afternoon (1:30-4 PM) and runs for two weeks.
Click here to read Marwen Eligibility Requirements.
All art materials and supplies are provided by Marwen and our generous donors.
All experience levels are welcome!
Young people can register for up to 2 classes per term.
Registration is first come, first-served.
Have questions? Reach out to us anytime at registrar@marwen.org or via text at 312.374.2968.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSES
1. Focus & Click: Photography
Teaching artist: Corona
6-8th grade
Session 2 PM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio: 1
Learn the basics of digital photography, and make mind-blowing pictures from different angles while exploring our beautiful city and neighborhoods near Marwen. You will learn step-by-step how to use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to refine your original works of art.
2. Adventure Printmaking
Teaching artists Jose Casales
6-8th grade
Session 2 AM: July 22- August 2, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio: 7
Learn to capture any image and turn it into a print you can put on t-shirts or tote bags. Take your printmaking skills to the next level by learning printmaking using different techniques. Develop your style through individual and collaborative prompts that challenge you to paint from photos in new imaginative ways.
3. Miniature Worlds: Sculpture & Digital Media
Teaching artist: Sydney Walters
6-8th grade
Session 2 AM: July 22- August 2, M-F, 10:00 AM- 12:30 PM
Studio: 5
Step into a miniature world of your creation. Learn how to use sculpting tools and materials to build tiny film sets with small-scaled furniture. Explore elements of set design and forced perspective while learning to take exciting photos of your creations. Let your imagination play with this mini studio class.Â
4. It’s Lit!: Ceramics
Teaching artist: Julie Potratz
6-8th grade
Session 1 AM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio: 6
Explore the world of sculptural ceramics! Learn to make trinket dishes, slab-built bowls, and hand-built lanterns by applying various sculptural techniques that can bring your art to life. This course will cover pinch and coil methods with an emphasis on slab-building and sculptural techniques. This exciting course will bring your ideas to life while teaching new techniques.Â
5. Fantastic Fibers
Teaching artist: Keny De La Peña
6-8th grade
Session 1 PM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio: 7
Explore textile print design and learn techniques such as weaving, printmaking, and dyeing. Design with fibers to make unique textiles while exploring personal and cultural expressions and dive into the vibrant world of textiles.Â
6. Stop Motion
Teaching artist: Eliza Fernand
6-8th grade
Session 2 PM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 1:30 - 4 pm
Studio 3
Build a world, and make short videos with stop motion animation. Use recycled materials to make individual characters, and meet and interact in a group to develop a storytelling project. Through iStopMotion and iMovie software, you will develop character design and storytelling skills and learn the animation and editing processes.
7. Pop Art Palooza: Painting
Teaching artist: Griffin Goodman
6-8th grade
Session 1 AM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 4
What is Pop Art? This painting class will introduce urban art, pop culture, graffiti, and various artmaking techniques. Learn to use the Warhol Effect, Pop Art Collage Printing, and stencil making to create a palooza of urban art.
8. Get Reel! Filmmaking
Teaching artist: Johnaé Strong
6-8th grade
Session 1 PM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 3
Want to produce and direct a short film? Explore the fundamentals of visual storytelling and film production by learning how to use cameras and how to edit in Premiere Pro. Build your filmmaking skills and learn to storyboard, produce a script, and edit your short film.
9. Twilight Tales: Darkroom Photo
Teaching artist: Jimena Hernandez
6-8th grade
Session 2 PM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 2
Explore how to use a photography darkroom. Experience using analog cameras to take black-and-white photographs. You'll work in a wet darkroom using chemicals and red lights and learn developing techniques. Walk away knowing how to get a beautiful print using traditional photographic methods.
10. Piece by Piece: Mosaics
Teaching artist: Cassandra Schifano
6-8th grade
Session 1 PM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 5
Do you enjoy collage and sculpture? Try something new, and brighten up your home with handmade mosaic masterpieces. You will get to explore mosaic jewelry as well as traditional mosaics using flat glass. Learn to discuss historical mosaic processes like using smalti glass. Work in groups and learn to arrange glass and tiles to create 2D or 3D patterns and designs.
11. Fabric Painting: Pattern Play
Teaching artist: Erica Scott
6-8th grade
Session 2 AM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 8
Through painting techniques, learn the fundamentals of fabric painting, from brush strokes to color blending. Whether it's painting on t-shirts, canvas bags, or fabric panels, you will have the opportunity to unleash your imagination and personalize your fabric creations.Â
12. Playful Plushies
Teaching artist: Emma Casillas
6-8th grade
Session 1 AM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 8
Turn your favorite character or food into a plushie! If you are interested in hand sewing, this class is for you. Practice how to make plushies with different materials like fabric, baked clay, aluminum foils, and armature wire. Take your work to the next level with all the new skills and tricks you’ll learn.
13. Speedy Sketching
Teaching artist: Mel Cook
6-8th grade
Session 2 AM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 4
Do you find your sketchbook a little empty? Learn better drawing techniques! Travel around the city to fun places like parks and downtown Chicago, sketch faces and figures in minutes, and practice capturing people’s likenesses. Fill your sketchbook pages with so many exciting new ideas you’ll gain in this speed drawing class.
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
14. Rugs 101
Teaching artist: Eseosa Edebiri
9-12th grade
Session 1 PM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 8
Learn to create custom rugs! This introductory course on rug making will allow you to use a rug tufting machine and learn different rug techniques such as latch hook, punch needle, tufting, weaving, and quilting. Build your skills in crafting stunning rug pieces that can hang and can be displayed on a wall in your room.
15. From the Shadow: Darkroom Photography
Teaching artist: Brendan Meara
9-12th grade
Session 1 PM:Â July 8 - July 19, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 2
Slow down and unplug by creating photographs using analog cameras. Explore the basics of black-and-white darkroom photography and experience this medium through a different lens. Discover the power of capturing yourself and your friends using traditional portraiture techniques that will help you connect with your inner artist.
16. Watercolors 102
Teaching artist: Jimena Hernandez
9-12th grade
Session 1 PM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 4
Do you already understand the basics of watercolors? Discover new and different painting methods and the unexpected effects you can achieve with materials like salt, rice, and bleach. Finish the course with portfolio-quality illustrations. Previous watercolor experience is recommended.Â
17. Beyond the Snapshot: Photography
Teaching artist: Nick Moody
9-12th grade
Session 1 AM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 1
Explore the city and push the limits of what's possible with traditional photography! Learn how to frame, use ISO, and the rule of thirds. Use various materials and techniques to create a dreamlike piece that expresses your connection to our city.
18. Ink Explorations: Printmaking
Teaching artist: Ari Karafiol
9-12th grade
Session 1 AM: July 8 - July 19, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 7
From mixed-media approaches to bold experimentation with materials, this class encourages you to push the boundaries of traditional printmaking. Through hands-on experimentation, you'll uncover new avenues for creative expression. Develop a unique monotype and cyanotype, explore printing with found objects, and make a relief print.
19. Loteria!: Painting Cards Game
Teaching artist: Gabriel Mejia
9-12th grade
Session 2 PM: July 22- August 2, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 5
Want to make your own card game? Learn about popular games like the famous Mexican Bingo called Loteria! While exploring this beloved traditional game with rich colors and shapes, you will also develop skills in illustrative techniques to create your own card game.   Â
20. Fashion Fired Up! Ceramics
Teaching artist: Ari Karafiol
9-12th grade
Session 2 AM: July 22- August 2, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 6
Focus on hand-building techniques and create personal and unique fantastical pieces of ceramics that hold a small piece of your fashion. Make custom jewelry for any occasion, from necklaces to earrings and everything!Â
21. Animation Exploration!
Teaching artist: Margaret Bialis
9-12th grade
Session 2 AM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 1
In this introduction course, learn about the art of character design and animation. Explore the medium's unique qualities using various animation techniques, such as hand-drawn, stop-motion, and digital cutout animation. You will also learn about the history and practice of animation.Â
22. Rugs 102
Teaching artist: Esosa Edebiri
9-12th grade
Session 2 PM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 8
Ready to take your skills to the next level in this advanced rug-making course? After learning the basics of Rugs 101, you will develop new technical skills to enhance your rug projects. This course will help you flesh out your big ideas and make big and small pieces of rugs that can be displayed on the wall.
23. Paper Mache Chronicles: SculpturesÂ
Teaching artist: Lesley Jackson
9-12th grade
Session 2 PM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 7
Explore the rich history of activism worldwide while learning basic sculpture techniques. Design, construct, paint, and collage a functioning clock! Your clock sculpture will serve not only as a time-tracking device but also as a reminder of inspiring, activist moments from the past that impact our present.Â
24. Paint Your SelfieÂ
Teaching artist: Mel Cook
9-12th grade
Session 1 AM: July 8 - July 19, M-F,10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 5
Want to paint realistic portraits of yourself? Gain the confidence to create unique portraiture using acrylic paint, pastel, and charcoal. Learn new techniques to paint the real version of your inner self.Â
25. Paint Your Summer: Portfolio
Teaching artist: Rafael Huerta
9-12th grade
Session 2 PM: July 22 - August 2, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 4
Capture your summer in paintings and drawings! In this portfolio-level course, we will imagine what your Instagram would look like if it were a real-life art gallery. Develop your drawing skills from observation and painting from photographs. Create snapshots of your summer as mini paintings and drawings. Draw a selfie, a vacation landscape, or a still life of what you ate. Use pencils, paper, paint, and canvas to create a unique profile of your summer as an artist.
Have questions? Reach out to us anytime at registrar@marwen.org or via text at 312.374.2968.