MAKEart: Weekly studio art lessons developed for Middle School Students and early High School ages 11-15

Select Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:45

Studio time will be spent familiarizing the student with a variety of materials and processes. Working both on technique and content, students will be exposed to a variety of practices and materials that will help them find the best way to express themselves.
Subject matter, material, and conversation are more student led in this class than in the hour and 15 minute long MAKEart classes. With students in 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade mixing the conversations and artistic topics will lean to the more mature side of middle school. Teacher and student led in content; relationships and contrasts will be connected to other creative expression such as music, theatre, film, and architecture.

Enrollment fee at registration and then $20 cash per class attended
The expectation is that students will come the majority of the time, however - I find that this age group is extremely busy and if they have to skip every now and then due to conflicts, it's not a problem.You only pay for sessions that you attend plus the non refundable enrollment fee. Classes are held when there are 6 or more confirmed attendees, every now and then we hit a week where the majority of people can’t come, usually on a night of a large school event. In the rare case of fewer than 6 attendees confirmed, class will be canceled. You do not pay for the classes that you don’t attend, other than the non refundable enrollment fee.

Small Group Instruction. A minimum 8 people must be registered for the class to run, maximum of 12 in class.

Late Spring Session: Tuesdays 6:30-7:45 on September 1, 8, 15th

*Please note that this schedule is one week later than the other MAKEart Classes

Enrollment Fee: $50

All supplies included, though students are encouraged to bring a sketchbook if they have one. Email: makeartstudios@gmail.com with any questions

Please Note: Ongoing street construction may make parking and access to the studio a little different than usual. Please allow a few extra minutes for arrival.

MAKEart High School Studio

Select Wednesdays 7:00-8:30pm

This hour and a half studio time will be spent challenging High School aged students with a variety of materials, processes, and themes. Working both on technique and content, students will be exposed to a variety of practices and materials that will help them find the best way to express themselves as well as build a portfolio. Students will also be exposed to local working artists and be introduced to their practices and experience.

Students should have basic drawing and painting skills upon registration.

Teacher led, but content driven by student interest. Relationships and contrasts will be connected to other creative expression such as music, theatre, film, and architecture and students will be exposed to a variety of modern artists through various outlets. Students will also have the opportunity to meet other working professional artists and engage in discussions and critique.
Small group instruction (minimum of 6 registered for class to run, maximum 12)

Enrollment fee at registration and then $20 cash per class attended
The expectation is that students will come the majority of the time, however - I find that this age group is extremely busy and if they have to skip every now and then due to conflicts, it's not a problem.

You only pay for sessions that you attend plus the non refundable enrollment fee that holds your spot. Class is held when there are 6 or more confirmed attending, every now and then we hit a week where the majority of people can’t come, usually on a night of a large school event. In the rare case of fewer than 6 attendees confirmed, class will be canceled. You do not pay for the classes that you don’t attend, other than the non refundable enrollment fee

Early Fall Session: Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 on August 26th + September 2, 9, 16, 23rd. Enrollment Fee: $55

All supplies included, though students are encouraged to bring a sketchbook if they have one.

Please Note: Ongoing street construction may make parking and access to the studio a little different than usual. Please allow a few extra minutes for arrival.

Email: makeartstudios@gmail.com with any questions

MAKEart Summer Studios

Pocket Gallery Artist Residency

August 10–14 | Afternoon Session 11:30-1:30 | Ages 10–18

The Pocket Gallery Artist Residency invites students to work as exhibiting artists, creating small-scale artwork designed specifically for display. Throughout the week, students develop original pieces while learning how artists prepare work for presentation, including finishing details, artist statements, and installation planning.

Students explore materials and ideas at their own pace while receiving individual guidance in a studio-style environment. The residency concludes with student artwork ready for exhibition in the MAKEart Pocket Gallery.

Ideal for students who enjoy thoughtful making and want to experience the process of preparing work for a real gallery setting.

$300

All supplies included

Min: 5 Max: 12

Students will use a variety of tools and materials. It is important that students are able to follow directions and use tools and materials responsibly.

MAKEart Summer Studios

Board Game Design

August 17-20 | Morning Session 9:00-11:00 | Suggested for ages 7–14

Join MAKEart Studios for an exciting 4-day summer art camp where creativity and game design come together. Students will explore storytelling, strategy, and visual design as they craft their own unique board games from start to finish. They will design large-scale, substantial game boards with bold colors, patterns, and themes, then craft, sculpt and personalize original game tokens and supplies. Students will also develop characters, rules, and storylines to bring their games to life and create eye-catching box covers and instructions to complete their projects. This camp is perfect for budding artists, inventors, and problem-solvers who love hands-on fun. Each student will leave with a fully designed board game that’s ready to play and share with family and friends.

This experience is intentionally designed to be repeated. Returning students won’t be recreating last year’s project — they’ll be starting fresh. With stronger foundational skills and a better sense of how games work, they’re often ready to think bigger, add more detail, and take new risks. A second year simply opens the door to a completely different game, built with more confidence and new ideas.

$275

All Supplies Included

Min: 6 Max: 12

Gift Certificate ‍ ‍Give the gift of creativity.

Certificate is good towards any kid, teen, or adult class or group workshop that is offered at make art studios in downers grove. Please note that classes need minimum enrollment to run and this certificate cannot be used for private workshops or lessons.

Gift certificate will expire one year from date received.

Choose amount below.

Gift certificates will be printed on high quality paper and must be picked up from the studio porch.

Please note that the pattern will vary

You will receive an email when it is ready with instructions for porch pick up. Please allow a couple of days.

*If you are out of town and purchasing for someone local to Downers Grove, please email me directly after purchasing for arrangement of alternative pickup, delivery, or, to arrange to receive the certificate by email. makeartstudios@gmail.com

Gift Certificates Give the gift of creativity this holiday season.

Gift certificate comes boxed and tightly tied to a golden delivery animal. + $10 -or- free for gift certificates valued at $200 or more.

Certificate is good towards any kid, teen, or adult class or group workshop that is offered at make art studios in Downers Grove. Please note that classes need minimum enrollment to run and this certificate cannot be used for private workshops or lessons.

Gift certificate will expire one year from date received.

Choose amount below.

Gift certificates are printed on high quality paper and will be popped in a box, wrapped in string, and strapped for delivery upon a golden animal’s back (sorry no choice in what animal - equal opportunity gift delivery employer)

Please allow three business days for pickup 

Packaged gift certificates must be picked up from the studio porch in DG. You will receive an email when it is ready with instructions for porch pick up. Please allow a couple of days.

*If you are out of town and purchasing for someone local to Downers Grove, please email me directly after purchasing for arrangement of alternative pickup or delivery. makeartstudios@gmail.com

Boxed Gift Certificate Give the gift of creativity this holiday season.

Your gift certificate will be boxed + bowed, ready to gift upon pickup.

Certificate is good towards any kid, teen, or adult class or group workshop that is offered at make art studios in downers grove. Please note that classes need minimum enrollment to run and this certificate cannot be used for private workshops or lessons.

Gift certificate are sold in increments below with an additional $5 charge for the box and bow on gift certificates less than $200. Gift certificates will expire one year from date received.

Choose amount below.

Gift certificates will be printed on high quality paper, popped into a box and topped with a merry bow.

You will receive an email when it is ready with instructions for porch pick up. Please allow a couple of days.

*If you are out of town and purchasing for someone local to Downers Grove, please email me directly after purchasing for arrangement of alternative pickup or delivery. makeartstudios@gmail.com