The Studio Arts Program (SAP) offers year-round arts training to Chicago teens ages 14 to 18. Our program is aligned to Chicago Public Schools’ calendar to offer after-school and summer-intensive workshops. Under the supervision of a qualified Teaching-Artist teens learn:

• Elements & Principles of Art & Design

• Fine Arts & Design literacy

• Training in various art mediums and techniques including drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, mosaic, and others

• Job readiness skills such as: Time Management, Teamwork, Project Presentations, Analytical Thinking & Critique, and Art History

• Opportunities to work in community art projects

• Exhibition presentation in our community gallery

• Field trips to museums and artists' studio visits

• Academic Advising

Our Studio Arts & Exhibition Program’s facilities and classes are audited by the City of Chicago Department of Family Support Services and by Independent Evaluators, as well as our own teens.

@rt Xperimental Studio (pre-apprenticeship level)

Humboldt Park Field House | 1440 N Humboldt BLVD, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622

The @rts Xperimental Studio will focus on creating a large-scale painted mosaic. Teens will explore the elements and principles of art and design while learning about influential figures in Latin American and Caribbean arts. Applicants must have prior experience in drawing, design, or painting and must complete an in-person interview to qualify for enrollment. 

Throughout the program, participants will refine their acrylic painting skills, experiment with new techniques, and scale their small sketches into large, impactful artworks. In addition to artistic growth, the program emphasizes valuable job skills, including time management, teamwork, presentation, and critique. 

For the final project, teens will reinterpret the work of a significant Latin American artist and collaborate on a large painted mosaic on canvas. This collective artwork will be featured in a gallery exhibition on Saturday, May 10. 

START:  Sat Mar 1, 2025 

END:   Sat May 10, 2025 

DATES:  Sat: 10:30am to 2:30pm 

PLACE: ASM Studio @ Humboldt Park  -  Studio Arts Community Gallery & Studio - Google Maps 

To apply go to After School Matters and look for Studio Arts Program/ @rt Experimental Studio or email to info@praachicago.org for more details.

@rts Studio Program (apprenticeship level)

Humboldt Park Field House | 1440 N Humboldt BLDV, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622

In the Spring 2025 session, the @rts Studio is offering a Garment Repurposing Fashion Studio, an apprenticeship designed for teens interested in fashion and sustainable clothing practice. The program meets three days per week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30pm to 7pm at the Humboldt Park Field House. This program requires at least beginners’ experience in drawing, graphic design, or painting. Ideal candidates for the @rts Fashion Studio are teens with sewing skills or knitting. Applicants must complete an in-person interview to be considered for enrollment. 

The apprenticeship explores the environmental impact of fashion and the ethical issues surrounding child labor in the industry. It emphasizes the importance of recycling fashion items while fostering environmental awareness. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment and design unique, individualized outfits. 

Teens will develop skills in airbrush stenciling, patchwork, hand and machine sewing, and printing techniques. As part of the program, participants will visit a thrift store to purchase two outfits, which they will redesign. By the end of the course, each apprentice will create one individual outfit and contribute a second outfit to a themed collection. 

The program will culminate in the Xperimental Runway Fashion Show, an event open to the community. 

START:  Wed Feb 26, 2025 

END:   Sat May 10, 2025 

DATES:  Tue, Wed, Thurs: 4:30 to 7pm 

PLACE: ASM Studio @ Humboldt Park  -  Studio Arts Community Gallery & Studio - Google Maps 

To apply go to After School Matters and look for Studio Arts Program/ @rt Experimental Studio or email to info@praachicago.org for more details.

Jennessa I. Martínez

Jennessa, a brilliant student from our own Humboldt Park community. She completed numerous apprenticeship courses at age 14 and demonstrated a passion for painting. Jennessa became our first student to be admitted to the Painting Program at the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago (SAIC) with a full scholarship. During her second year at SAIC, Jennessa received a summer scholarship to study painting in Venice, Italy. 

In the summer of 2018 Jennessa returned home and became a co-teacher in our summer Painting Program. Recently, Jennessa completed her master’s degree in the Arts Therapy & Education Program at the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago. 

Tabitha Moore

Tabitha completed two summer and year-long studio programs. She always demonstrated a commitment to her school-work while maintaining perfect attendance to her after-school apprenticeships. Tabitha was admitted to Columbia College in 2019.

Dinaluz Torres

Dinaluz, a brilliant student from Chicago’s Hermosa community. Dina, how we affectionately call her, was a leader in all summer programs she participated. Dina always expressed interest in the field of professional arts. Dina was accepted (2019) in the School of Arts at University of Illinois Chicago. She wants to become a medical illustrator.

The ASM Apprenticeship Studio hires a diverse team of arts professionals, instructors, and guest artists engaged in t6he Chicago’s art scene and communities. Most of our instructors are bilingual (Spanish/English.) If you are a teaching-artist interested in joining our team look at our job section  or submit your resume and bio to info@praachicago.org