Studio Arts Program
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.
Studio Arts @ Humboldt Park
@rt Xperimental Studio
Humboldt Park Field House | 1440 N Sacramento Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622
The @rt Xperimental Studio is a space for innovation and exploration that rejects the notion of a fixed style or aesthetic. Teens engage in art projects utilizing diverse styles, techniques, and mediums. They will design streetwear, draw, paint, sew, create sculptures, mosaics, and more. The goal is to find new avenues for creative expression that will lead to a final project to be displayed at our Studio @rts Community Gallery. Teens will be exposed to a safe space welcoming of all cultural backgrounds.
Instructor: Reynaldo Rodriguez
Schedule: Saturdays – 10:30PM to 2:30PM
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
Humboldt Park Field House | 1440 N Sacramento Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622
The @rts Studio Program focuses on visual arts creation and self-expression. Teens will communicate ideas and emotions while gaining technical skills in a variety of mediums. The @rts Studio Program prepares teens for careers in the arts. Teens will gain skills in design, drawing, painting, and multimedia techniques. They will experiment with a variety of mediums, such as charcoal, graphite pencils, oil pastels, acrylic painting, and others. The @rts Studio Program will teach teens how to apply the elements and principles of art to create dynamic compositions that will be showcased in our Studio @rts Community Gallery. Teens will be exposed to a safe space welcoming of all cultural backgrounds.
Instructor: Reynaldo Rodriguez
Schedule: Tues, Wed, and Thur - 4:30PM to 7PM
To apply, go to After School Matters and look for Studio Arts Program/ @rts Studio Program or email to info@praachicago.org for more details.
The Studio Arts Apprenticeship for Experimental Painting and Mural Painting form part of the After School Matters’ apprenticeship roster which provide supervised apprenticeships with cash stipend incentives to students who maintain good attendance and complete work assignments in a timely fashion.
Impact & Success
Our students have used the study of art to make a difference in their academic and personal lives providing them with discipline and creative minds. It is even more rewarding to see how our students discover that ART is the professional path they want to follow.
Jennessa I. Martinez, Right of Picture & Mara Ayala (Instructor)
“Jennessa is a visual artist and spoken word poet who has lived in Chicago her entire life. Creating evocative archives, her most recent work examines street violence, urban politics, and inescapable lifestyles. Her recent exhibitions include group showcases with [blnk} Studio and 062 Gallery at Zhou B Art Center.”
Jennessa I. Martínez
Jennessa, a brilliant student from our Humboldt Park community. She completed numerous SAEP courses, but she always showed particular interest in 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 graduated SAIC and was accepted in the Arts Therapy & Education Master 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.
Our Instructors
The Studio Arts Program hires a diverse team of arts professionals, instructors, and guest artists engaged in Chicago’s arts scene and communities. Most of our instructors are bilingual (Spanish/English.) If you are a teaching-artist interested in joining our team submit your resume and bio to info@praachicago.org
