Local Art Classes & Camps

Looking for more opportunities to create outside school? The organizations below offer art classes, workshops, studios, or camps for children and teens.

These programs are shared as a resource for families and are not endorsements by Mr. Schmidt, Mann School, or District 97. Ages, dates, costs, instructors, locations, and availability can change. Please visit each organization’s website for current information.

Oak Park, River Forest & Nearby

• Oak Park Art League – Art classes, workshops, camps, exhibitions, and programs for youth and teens.
• Slowfire – Ceramic classes and studio experiences focused on exploration, making, and functional or sculptural clay work.
• ViaClay – A community ceramics studio in Oak Park’s Hemingway District.
• Magical Minds Studio – Art classes, camps, open studio experiences, and maker-centered programs for children and teens.
• Kidcreate Studio – Art classes, workshops, camps, and parties for young artists.
• Park District of Oak Park – Seasonal visual-art classes and camps, including SCAW programming when offered.
• Little Bits Workshop – Creative classes, workshops, and camps led by Liita Forsyth.
• Terra Incognito Studios – Studio classes and experiences involving clay, jewelry, and other art forms.
• Creativita – Creative painting experiences and art events in Forest Park.
• Elmhurst Art Museum – Family programs, youth classes, workshops, and seasonal camps.

Chicago

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago – Studio classes and camps for children and teens.
• Lillstreet Art Center – Classes and camps in ceramics, drawing, painting, textiles, printmaking, metals, and more.
• Hyde Park Art Center – Art classes, workshops, camps, exhibitions, and community programs.
• The Chicago Mosaic School – Specialized mosaic classes and workshops.

Longer Programs & Sleepaway Camps

• Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp – Residential fine-arts camp in Michigan for eligible grade levels.
• Interlochen Arts Camp – Residential and intensive summer arts programs in Michigan.

Seasonal & School-Community Programs

Programs such as MannPower camps, Summer Art Explosion, OPEF Base Camp, teen sketch groups, and Dominican University summer offerings may be added here when current registration information is available. Check dates and replace expired registration links each year.

If you know of a local visual-art opportunity that may belong on this page, email [email protected].