Summer Art Classes @ Marwen
- marwenarts
- Apr 22
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Register for FREE classes happening July 7 - August 8, 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 2-week art class, are in 6-12th grades during the 2025/26 school year (Summer classes are also open to graduating Seniors), 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 17, 2025 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, sign up for a New Student Open House & Registration events on May 17 or June 7. RSVP HERE You will get a tour of our galleries and studios, meet staff, and register on the spot.
Key information:
Summer term runs July 7 - August 8, 2025. There are 2 sessions: July 7-18 and July 28-August 8.
Summer term offers 25 unique classes. Each course meets five days a week, Monday through Friday, and runs for two weeks.
Session 1: July 7 - July 18, 10 am - 12:30 pm or 1:30 - 4 pm
Session 2: July 28 - August 8, 10 am - 12:30 pm or 1:30 - 4 pm
Click here to read Marwen's 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
Storyboarding & Animation
Teaching artist: Griffin Goodman
6-8th grade
Session 1 (AM): July 7 -18, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 3 | Status: OPEN
Want to learn how to animate your own story? Design your own characters, create thumbnails, and storyboard for your animation in Procreate. Bring your ideas to life as you learn the secrets behind your favorite animated films and shows.
Splash of Color: Watercolors
Teaching artist: Jimena Hernandez
6-8th grade
Session 2 (AM): July 28 - August 8, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 7 | Status: OPEN
Discover the endless possibilities of painting with watercolors! Learn how to use watercolor paints through various foundational techniques. Use materials like salt, rice, bleach, and more to create amazing watercolor effects. Experiment, layer, and let the colors flow as you discover your unique style. By the end of the course, you’ll create a series of one-of-a-kind watercolor pieces.
Mini Worlds: Sculpture & Digital Media
Teaching artist: Sydney Walters
6-8th grade
Session 1 (AM): July 7 -18, M- F, 10 AM- 12:30 PM
Studio 5 | Status: OPEN
Enter a tiny world full of big imagination! Sculpt miniature film sets complete with small-scale furniture and props. Explore set design, composition, and forced perspective, then bring your scenes to life through creative photography. This mini studio adventure is all about building, storytelling, and capturing your creations from a whole new point of view.
Clay & Play: Sensory Ceramics
Teaching artist: Julie Potratz
6-8th grade
Session 1 (AM): July 7-18, 10 AM -12:30 PM
Studio 6 | Status: OPEN
Get ready to explore clay through all five senses. In this playful ceramics class, explore hand-building techniques while creating three vessels inspired by memories and senses. From building with your eyes closed to making a ceramic flute, each project is a fun sensory adventure connecting to how we experience the world!
Sew Cool! Intro to Sewing & Stitching
Teaching artist: Jennie Harned
6-8th grade
Session 1 (AM): July 7 - 18, 10 AM -12:30 PM
Studio 8 | Status: OPEN
Whether you’ve never touched a sewing machine or you already love to stitch, this class will teach you skills to create your summer-ready bucket hat and tote bag. Try out machine sewing, hand stitching, patchwork, and more! Dive into upcycling and creative ways to reuse old textiles. Get ready to design, sew, and show off your handmade style.
Sustainable Stop Motion
Teaching artist: Eliza Fernand
6-8th grade
Session 1 (PM): July 7 - 18, M-F, 1:30 - 4 pm
Studio 3 | Status: OPEN
Bring your original characters to life! Repurpose discarded materials to build a new world with sculpture and animation. Explore stop-motion animation, puppetry, figurative sculpture, and cinematic techniques. Work in a group to complete a short animated film that features your handmade puppet, props, and backdrops.
Make it Pop! Drawings and Comics
Teaching artist: Griffin Goodman
6-8th grade
Session 2 (PM): July 28 - August 8, M- F, 1:30 PM - 4 PM
Studio 4 | Status: OPEN
Get ready to go big, bold, and colorful! Dive into Pop Art, doodles, comics, and creative drawing. Use bright colors, strong lines, and your own favorite symbols to turn everyday stuff into eye-catching masterpieces. Experiment with different materials, large artwork, and fun techniques to create your own comics and drawings.
“Coming Soon” Movie Trailers
Teaching artist: Jacob Taylor
6-8th grade
Session 2 (AM): July 28 - August 8, M -F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 3 | Status: OPEN
Learn the fundamentals of filmmaking and video editing, and use those new skills to create your very own movie trailer. Get comfortable capturing footage, working in Adobe Premiere Pro, and understanding the video production pipeline. No previous experience is required!
Lights Out! Darkroom Photography
Teaching artist: Alex Mendez
6-8th grade
Session 2 (AM): July 28 - August 8, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 2 | Status: OPEN
Step into the world of old-school photography! Snap black-and-white photos with film cameras and bring them to life in the darkroom using chemicals and glowing red lights. Learn how to turn your negatives into prints, and watch the magic happen right before your eyes. No filters, no phones—just classic photo fun.
Mosaic Masterpieces
Teaching artist: Cassandra Schifano
6-8th grade
Session 2 PM: July 28 - August 8, M- F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 5 | Status: OPEN
Get ready to create colorful art…one piece at a time! Learn how mosaic artists turn tiny bits of glass and tile into colorful creations. Use flat colored glass and other materials to design your own bold patterns and images on flat surfaces or even 3D objects. Work solo or team up to build a truly spectacular mosaic piece!
To Dye For
Teaching artist: Briana King
6-8th grade
Session 1 PM: July 7 - 18, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 8 | Status: OPEN
Get ready to make your own custom shirts and cool patches! Learn awesome fabric-dyeing techniques, including tie-dye and stitch resist. Experiment with different dyes and patterns. Take what you've learned and design your own one-of-a-kind shirts and patches to show off your unique style.
Make it Yummy: Food Sculptures
Teaching artist: Alex O'Neill
6-8th grade
Session 1 PM: July 7 - 18, M-F, 1:30 PM - 4 PM
Studio 5 | Status: OPEN
Got a favorite snack or sweet treat? Turn it into art! Sculpt delicious-looking creations using air-dry clay, paint, paper, and more. From giant burgers to sushi, learn how to shape, build, and decorate realistic or wacky food sculptures. Warning: It might make you hungry—but no nibbling the art!
Slumber Party: Sewing with Patterns
Teaching artist: Jennie Harned
6-8th grade
Session 2 AM: July 28 - August 8, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 8 | Status: OPEN
Ready to stitch up some serious style? In this cozy-meets-cool sewing class, learn how to read patterns and create your very own pajama pants and hoodie. You will also remix an old hoodie with a fresh fit or funky flair and add your own fashion label. This class is about creativity, sustainability, and designing clothes that are so you.
Picture This: Color Photography
Teaching artist: Corona
6-8 grade
Session 1 PM: July 7- 18, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 1 | Status: OPEN
Explore the power of color in photography. Learn color theory, lighting, and composition to create amazing images. Capture vibrant photos and learn digital editing techniques in Photoshop and Lightroom. Leave with a strong understanding of how color impacts storytelling.
Start Your Engines! Photography
Teaching artist: Corona
6-8 grade
Session 2 PM: July 28- August 8, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 3 | Status: OPEN
Jump into the world of car culture photography! Focus on basic camera techniques, composition, and lighting to photograph cars, including low riders. Learn to edit digitally with Lightroom and Photoshop. Develop your portfolio highlighting new creative skills, and come away understanding this vibrant cultural art form.
Drawn to Color: Pathways
Teaching artist: Mel Cook-White
6-8th grade
Session 1 PM: July 7 - 18, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 4 | Status: OPEN
Capture your summer in colorful drawings! In this portfolio-level course, learn how to sketch with confidence, and experiment with a variety of drawing tools like pencils, pens, pastels, and more. Dive into the world of color by exploring how different hues can express mood, tell stories, and make your artwork pop.
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
Darkside of the Room: Darkroom Photography
Teaching artist: Brendan Meara
8-12th grade
Session 1 AM: July 7- 18, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 2 | Status: OPEN
Capture the world in black and white! Explore street photography using analog 35mm film cameras and darkroom techniques. Learn how to shoot, develop, and print photos while drawing inspiration from legendary street photographers—especially Chicago-based artists. Discover how light, shadow, and everyday moments can turn into powerful images.
Perfect Motion: Intro to Animation
Teaching artist: Nefertiti Abdulmalik
8-12th grade
Session 2 PM: July 28 - August 8, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 1 | Status: OPEN
Bring life-like movement to animation! Learn core principles of animation and apply these techniques to animated shorts. Jump into the world of animation frame by frame. Create original characters, build storyboards, and bring your ideas to life using both hand-drawn and digital techniques while learning to use Adobe Animate with Wacom graphics tablets.
Drawing FUNdamentals
Teaching artist: Mel Cook-White
8-12th grade
Session 2 AM: July 28 - August 8, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 4 | Status: OPEN
Build a strong foundation in drawing! Explore techniques like shading, perspective, proportion, and gesture as you work with pencils, charcoal, and ink. Draw from observation and imagination while learning the elements of art and principles of design.
Pottery Picnic Party: Wheel Throwing
Teaching artist: Ari Karafiol
8-12th grade
Session 1 PM: July 7 -18, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 6 | Status: OPEN
Get your hands messy and your creativity spinning! Learn the basics of wheel throwing and handbuilding to create your own picnic-inspired pottery. Think cups, plates, bowls, and fun extras—all handmade by you! Whether you're shaping the perfect snack dish or a funky ceramic piece, this class is all about experimenting with clay and glazing techniques, and creating a collection of art perfect for your dream picnic spread.
Oil Painting Portraits
Teaching artist: Gabriel Mejia
8-12th grade
Session 1 AM: July 7-18, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 4 | Status: OPEN
Step into the world of oil painting and learn how to capture the true essence of a person with your brush! Create portraits from sketching facial features to adding depth with rich oil paints. Learn how to blend colors, create realistic skin tones, and capture emotions. Whether you’re painting a self-portrait or a friend, develop the skills to bring life to a canvas.
Keepin’ it Wheel: Ceramics
Teaching artist: Misael Loera
8-12th grade
Session 2 PM: July 28 - August 8, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 6 | Status: OPEN
Get ready to take the wheel for a spin! Learn the art of wheel throwing and create bowls, mugs, and vases. Shape the clay and experiment with glazes to make your creations unique. Whether you're a beginner or have dabbled in ceramics before, this class is for you.
Blueprints of Us: Cyanotypes
Teaching artist: Arnie Campa
8-12th grade
Session 1 PM: July 7 -18, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 7 | Status: OPEN
Dive into the deep blue world of cyanotypes! Make prints from objects, drawings, and photos using this alternative photo printing method that uses sunlight. Use this unique process to make blueprints, maps, and artwork that represent you and your community.
Upcycling Fashion with Stitch Gawd
Teaching artists: Emma “Stitch Gawd” McKee
8-12th grade
Session 2 PM: July 28 - August 8, M-F, 1:30 - 4 PM
Studio 8 | Status: OPEN
Ready to give your old clothes a fresh new look? Through hand sewing and fabric distressing, learn responsible fashion and empower yourself to transform old clothes into new pieces! Whether it's turning a t-shirt into a trendy tote or adding custom patches to a jacket, gain the skills to make fashion that’s both stylish and sustainable.
ARTS IN THE DARK: Glowing Sculptures
Teaching artists: Jesús González Flores
8-12th grade
Session 2 AM: July 28 - August 8, M-F, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio 5| Status: OPEN
Dive into the world of illuminated sculptures. Create glowing, eye-catching pieces for the popular Arts In The Dark Parade on State Street. You'll craft wearable art and props that shine bright in the dark using various materials, like neon paints and glow-in-the-dark elements. Showcase your glowing masterpieces and march with Marwen in Chicago’s premier arts parade. Note: the parade is after class on October 18.
Have questions? Reach out to us anytime at registrar@marwen.org or via text at 312.374.2968.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Comments