· OVER THE TOP HALLOWEEN THEMED ART CLASS FUN·
Halloween themed art camps for ages 5-18 in the western suburbs of Chicago
Registration for classes opens July 6th · Registration for Workshops opens in August
Camps begin the last week of September and run through October · Workshops take place at the end of October
Limited enrollment · small groups
Academy of Witches
A MAKEart Creative Experience for the Fall
The Academy of Witches is a four-week · over the top · October art program where students step into a thoughtfully imagined world and get to work.
This is more than a themed craft day. It is a studio experience where students are busy from start to finish, building, designing, and problem solving through a series of connected projects. The energy is playful and imaginative, while the work stays focused and purposeful.
Students work in small groups using high-quality materials across prop building, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media. Each week builds on the last, with projects that develop over time and are meant to be kept, displayed, and brought out year after year.
Along the way, art connects with science, history, and design. Students experiment with materials, test ideas, and take ownership of their work as they build real skills and confidence.
The Academy of Witches runs for four weeks beginning in late September/early October and replaces regular MAKEart classes during that time.
If you’re interested, don’t hesitate, many sessions fill quickly.
Academy of Witches: First Year - recommended for Ages 7-8
The Magic of Fairy Tales
Afternoon Session: 3:15-4:30 on Tuesdays September 29th, October 6, 13, and 20th
$195 Includes all supplies, including completed creative play objects; witch hat, spell book box, Icky Sticky Troll Toe Jam, a variety of potions in bottles, the cutest class photo ever, and time brewing in the black lights potion lab on the last day.
Minimum of 6 registered for the class to run. Maximum: 12
NOTE: It is important that your child is able to follow directions and work cooperatively with others. Also, children need to be able to use the bathroom by themselves. It is very helpful if you remind them to go beforehand.
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Academy of Witches: Fifth Year - recommended for Ages 11-12
Enchanted Ecology: Fauna & Fungi
3:45- 5:45 on Thursdays, October 1st, 8th, 15th, + 22nd
$290 Includes all supplies, including creative projects such as; sculpted fungi terrarium cloche display, preserved real insect, owl pellet dissection, and a variety of potions in bottles, with an emphasis on designing and aging labels.
Class must have 6 registered participants to run. Maximum of 12
Note: Students will be learning how to preserve and pin real (ethically harvested) insects for entomology study and display, as well as dissect real owl pellets. Please let me know if your child would prefer not to participate in those activities or if you have any allergy concerns.
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Academy of Witches: Second Year - recommended for Ages 8-9
Famous Witches
3:30-5:00 on Wednesdays, September 30th, October 7th, 14th, and 21st
$230 Includes all supplies, including completed creative play objects such as; wand, Book of Ancestors, Crystal ball, Slime a la Eye of Graeae, a variety of potions in bottles, the cutest class photo ever, and time brewing in the glow in the dark potion lab on the last day.
Class must have 6 registered participants to run. Maximum of 12
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Academy of Witches: Sixth Year - recommended for Ages 12-14
Herbology
6:30-8:30 on Tuesdays, September 29th, October 6, 13, 20th
$290 Includes all supplies, including creative projects such as; mandrake sculpture in pot, botanical press, sage smudge stick, and a variety of potions in bottles, with an emphasis on designing and aging labels.
Class must have 6 registered participants to run. Maximum of 12
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Academy of Witches: Third Year - recommended for Ages 9-10
Monsters and Mythical Creatures
5:15-6:45 on Wednesdays, September 30th, October 7th, 14th, and 21st
$230 Includes all supplies, including completed creative play objects such as; Book of Monsters, Dragon prop, a variety of potions in bottles, as well as a class photo, and time brewing in the glow in the dark potion lab on the last week.
Class must have 6 registered participants to run. Maximum of 12
Note: We will be exploring a variety of Scientific items, including dissecting real oysters for pearls. Please let me know if you think your child would not enjoy this aspect or of there are any allergy concerns.
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Academy of Witches: Seventh Year - recommended for Ages 13-16
Mystical Minerals, Crystals, and Rocks
6:00-8:00 on Thursdays: October 1st, 8, 15,, and 22nd
$295 Includes all supplies, including creative projects such as; Chakra Crystal set, pendulum and orb, crystal covered skull, laughing stones, and a variety of potions in bottles.
Class must have 6 registered participants to run. Maximum of 12
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Academy of Witches: Fourth Year - recommended for Ages 10-11
Focus on: Spells, Charms, and Talismans
4:45-6:15:pm on Tuesdays, September 29th, October 6, 13, 20th
$245 Includes all supplies, including completed creative projects such as; sculpted Book of Shadows, Fortune Teller, Evil Eye talisman bracelet, and a variety of potions in bottles, as well as a class picture.
Class must have 6 registered participants to run. Maximum of 12
Note: This class will be using a variety of clay and carving tools, hot glue, etc.
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Black Hat Witch Academy: Advanced- recommended for Ages 14-18
Astral Studies: Advanced Studios
7:00-9:00 pm on Wednesdays, September 30th, October 7, 14, and 21st
Step into a studio devoted to the mysteries of the night sky. In this advanced session for High School students, artists will explore constellations, celestial symbolism, zodiac lore, divination, and the strange ways people have searched the heavens for meaning throughout history. Through drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and experimental processes, we'll create objects that feel as though they've been gathered from an old observatory, forgotten cabinet of curiosities, or witch's study. Projects remain intentionally open-ended, encouraging each artist to develop work that is thoughtful, mysterious, and entirely their own.
$295 Includes all supplies, including a plethora of creative Halloween themed projects.
Class must have 6 registered participants to run. Maximum of 12
Note: Students will be using sculpture tools, such as: spray paint, sharp shears, hot glue, and other potentially dangerous tools and materials in class, please make sure that your student is up for the task and can act responsibly.
Note: Due to availability of supplies, projects may be subject to change. Supply chains, witches - am I right?!.
Looking for more magic? Have a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered to your witch or wizard. Find more information here.
Registration for Academy of Witches Workshops opens in August.
Send a personalized Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter to your witch or wizard.
Add to your cart when registering for Academy of Witches if interested.
Add to the magic by having an Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter delivered straight to the door of your witch or wizard.
Your Academy of Witches Acceptance Letter is delivered personalized, in a bewitching distinctive black envelope, hand addressed and wax sealed.
The letter arrives on antiqued, hand-finished parchment paper and features the official wax crest of the Academy of Witches and is signed by yours truly - Headmaster Heather Klausa, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorceress, Chief Wizard, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Witches.
Letters will be posted on or before the last week in September. If your order is placed after the last week in September, I will do my very best to get it out as quickly as possible trying to get it to you before the start of the Academy of Witches the first week of October.
Please make sure you fill in your students name and address exactly how you would like it to appear on your Academy of Witches acceptance envelope.
*The US Postal service can be quite fickle, if you don't receive your envelope by September 29th - please reach out by email and I will make sure I get it to your witch or wizard ASAP. If you prefer to not deal with the postal service, let me know by email (makeartstudios@gmail.com) and we can arrange for a porch pickup as an alternative.
*In some cases your letter will arrive in a protective outer manila envelope to ensure safe transport and delivery. In this case, the outer envelope will be plainly addressed to the adult with a return address of MAKEart Studios. This is to give families the opportunity to discard the outer envelope, and have your personalized acceptance envelope and letter arrive safely - giving you the opportunity to present it to your upcoming witch or wizard in the best condition possible.
2026 Schedule for Academy of Witches
Year I: Fairytales - Ages 7-8, Tuesdays, 3:15-4:30pm
Year II: Famous Witches - Ages 8-9, Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00
Year III: Mythical Creatures -Ages 9-10, Wednesdays, 5:15-6:45
Year IV: Spells, Charms, & Talismans -Ages 10-11, Tuesdays, 4:45-6:15
Year V: Enchanted Ecology -Ages 11-12, Thursdays, 3:45-5:45
Year VI: Herbology -Ages 12-14, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30
Year VII: Mystical Minerals- Ages 13-15, Thursdays, 6:00-8:00
Year VIII: Advanced Studios: Astral Studies - Ages 15-18, Wednesdays. 7:00-9:00
Academy of Witches Workshops
BATS: Recommended for Ages 4-6, Monday October 26th from 2:15-3:15 REGISTRATION OPENS IN AUGUST
GHOSTS: Recommended for Ages 5-7, Tuesday October 27th from 3:30-5:00 REGISTRATION OPENS IN AUGUST
Private Workshops are available upon request, Email for details.
Academy of Witches For Adults · Interested in getting in on the fun? Email makeartstudios@gmail.com and Heather will contact you with more info the Fall
If you wish to participate, but can not due to your financial situation - please contact me at makeartstudios@gmail.com to problem solve. Find more information about assistance offered in FAQ’s. If you are in a position to provide assistance to others, find more information about contributing here.
Disclaimer: I myself am not a witch. I am highly creative and good at pretending, so Academy of Witches is way over the top and super fun- but it is done in the spirit of Halloween. However, as students get older, discussions on the history of witches and modern practices might be part of the discussion.