Youth Art Classes

YOUTH ART CLASSES

Jan 5 - Feb 28
Class fees from $65-$130

Before registering, please check below
if a class is listed "FULL" or "Waitlist Only"

Art classes run year-round, typically in 2-month sessions meeting once a week. Some classes may have alternate schedules, see class listings below.

FAQ

Art classes run in 6-8 week sessions all year round

ART CLASS LOCATIONS

Creative Arts Studio, 400 Highland Ave, Crystal Lake, IL

Creative Arts - Crystal Lake studio is located on the beautiful grounds of The Dole mansion. The studio is conveniently within walking distance from Lundahl Middle School, South Elementary School, and Crystal Lake Main Beach.

Creative Arts second studio (just off Woodstock Square) is available for special events and teen/adult classes.

ART CLASS PRICING

Typical fees within the 8-week session:

8 weeks - $130
7 weeks - $114 (late-start)
4 weeks - $65 (1/2 session)

Some classes available for 4 weeks, for prorated fees. Please check in class description to see if a 1/2 session (4 weeks) is available. Supplies are typically included in class fees.

Most instructors will allow makeup classes or prorating a future class, if your student misses a class or two. Please note: Missed classes and credits are NOT transferable. Make up classes or credits must be completed with the original instructor.

ART CLASS AGE LIMITS

Age Limits listed in class descriptions
If student is younger than listed age limit, class registration will be voided and payment refunded. Age limits are set by our instructors to strive for the best possible creative environment for both students and staff.

HEALTH & SAFETY

KEEP OUR INSTRUCTORS & STUDENTS HEALTHY
Please stay home if you are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever. We are happy to offer credits or make up times for missed classes.

Creative Arts reserves the right to refuse service to individuals who create an unsafe or hostile environment.
Individuals exhibiting disruptive behavior, being loud or abusive, posing a safety risk to staff or students, or harassing staff or students will be asked to leave the studio. A parent/guardian will be called for pickup if the student is a minor.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Give the gift of art Gift Certificates

Class Schedule: tap on calendar link below for a quick preview
Scroll down this page for class details & fees

Jan-Feb 2026 youth art classes

CRYSTAL LAKE STUDIO

Note: Art classes typically run in 8 week sessions all year round. Some classes have availability to join mid-session if there is room in the class.

YOUNG ARTISTS
Step-by-step art, AGES 6-8; 9-12

LET'S SCULPT - SAT 11:00AM

Let's Sculpt
Torie Mertens

SAT 11:00am-12:20pm Ages 6-8
$130 for 8 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Learn how to design and sculpt, then paint your creations. Try animals, characters, mini food, more! Build skills and have fun. New projects every session. This is a step-by-step project-based class. Drop-off class.

DRAWING STUDIO - THURS 4:00pm

Drawing Studio
Sam Sieber

FRI 4:00-5:20pm Age 9-12
$130 for 8 weeks

Learn to draw and shade with your choice of pencil, colored pencil, or art markers. Start off with step-by-step instruction on a fun range of subjects: animals, nature, landscapes, people, and more. Then use what you've learned to design your own artworks and complete them in graphite or color.

Best for students who want to focus on improving their drawing skills (for painting or mixed media, try "Creative Choice" class).

Instructor Sam Sieber has taught drawing for 20 years to ages 4 to 84, and is looking forward to making art with you. Join this class to level up your ability, and be the artist you want to be!

MINI-MONET - TUES/WED 4:00PM OR SAT 9:30AM

Mini-Monet

TUES 4:00-5:20pm; Age 6-8 Alisia Duran
WED 4:00-5:20pm; Age 6-8 Alisia Duran
SAT 9:30-10:50am; Age 6-8 Kieran Ruddy
$130 for 8 weeks

Create art using a variety of techniques and mediums. Explore drawing, painting, mixed media and more. New skills & projects taught each session. Artwork is based on explorations of famous artists' paintings and drawings, with fun new twists!

This is a step-by-step project-based class, where students follow the instructor example, but can choose their own colors, style, and more.. Drop-off class.

DRAWING & PAINTING
Open studio art, AGES 8-12, 13-17
CRYSTAL LAKE STUDIO
Note: Art classes run in 7-8 week-long sessions all year round

CREATIVE CHOICE - MON, TUES OR SAT

Creative Choice
Therese Wiser

MON 5:30-6:50pm; Age 8-12/13-17
TUES 5:30-6:50pm; Age 8-12/13-17
SAT 9:30-10:50am; Age 8-12/13-17
$130 for 8 weeks

Try everything! In this fun and engaging class, students will create a variety of art and explore new mediums. Instructor will provide examples and guidance for students to explore. Choose to use pencils, colored pencils, markers, watercolor, acrylics, and more.

Guided studio class - students decide what they want to paint or draw, and instructor assists them achieve their goal.

HOMESCHOOL ART CONNECTION - THURS 1:00PM

Art Connection
Scott Little

THURS 1:00-2:30pm Age 6-13
$130 for 8 weeks; $65 for 4 weeks

Explore a variety of mediums such as watercolor and acrylic painting, sculpting, and more! This class is geared towards homeschool students who would like to connect with other kids and make art together.

Start with step-by-step instruction with each medium, then create your own unique artwork using your imagination.

DRAWING & DESIGN STUDIO - THURS 4:00PM

Drawing & Design Studio
Janet Balboa

THURS 4:00-5:20pm Age 13-17
$130 for 8 weeks

A hands-on weekly drawing workshop where teen artists develop skills and explore their own projects. Each week include guided demos, tips, and creative problem-solving time in a relaxed studio setting.

A great fit for motivated young artists ready to explore their own style, build their portfolio, and be mentored by a professional artist.

Open studio class with instructor guidance.

Instructor Janet Balboa is a professional illustrator with a love of drawing detailed Celtic knotwork and nature scenes.

FANTASTIC CREATURES - FRI 5:30PM

Fantastic Creatures
Max Ray

FRI 5:30-6:50pm Age 10-16
$130 for 8 weeks; $65 for 4 weeks

Learn to draw creature anatomy plus textures like fur & feathers, to design your own fantastic creatures!

Instructor will demonstrate drawing techniques to build skills and inspire creativity.

Guided studio class - students decide on projects and instructor assists.

DRAW ANIME - WED 5:30

Draw Anime
Sam Sieber & Max Ray

WED 5:30-6:50pm Age 9-12; 13-17 (grouped by age)
$130 for 8 weeks; $65 for 4 weeks

Join the fun! Learn to draw anime-style characters & creatures, from your favorite demon hunters and magical girls, to dragons and pocket monsters.

Design from reference or your imagination, and learn coloring techniques with Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, and more.

Step-by-step instruction provided on how to draw eyes, hands, animals, and poses. Instructor will work with students individually in turns throughout the class.

DIGITAL ART
Open studio art, AGES 10 & up

DIGITAL ART - TUES 4:00PM

Digital Art
Scott Little

TUES 4:00-5:20pm Ages 9 & up
$130 for 8 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Create characters, creatures and concept art! Bring your own device to create digital art, or use our studio iPads with Procreate. Open studio class - students decide on projects and instructor assists with technique, composition, and color choices. Students can print their artwork, and also print stickers of their own design in this class.

CHARACTER DESIGN - WED 4:00PM

Character Design
Max Ray
WED 4:00-5:20pm Ages 11-17
$130 for 8 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Draw, paint and create your own character & creature designs! Use paper & pencil or iPad & Apple Pen. Learn how to draw hair, clothing, hands/paws, and more. All supplies provided - including watercolor, colored pencil, markers and iPads.

Open studio class - students decide on projects and instructor assists by providing drawing demonstrations and advice on anatomy, structure, and colors.

Instructor Max Ray loves creating creatures and characters. You can find him drawing in his sketchbook, with amazingly detailed art that he creates in minutes.

DRAW & ANIMATE - FRI 4:00PM

Draw & Animate
Max Ray
FRI 4:00-5:20pm age 10-17
$130 for 8 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Learn how to draw cartoons, superheroes, or manga with digital or traditional tools, plus explore 2D animation with Procreate Dreams. Bring your own device, or use our studio iPads to make your art.

Students can also choose to draw on paper with colored pencil and markers. Some step-by-step instruction for character design, world design, and use of digital tools in Procreate, plus open studio time for students to freely create.

Students have the option to print their designs for display. Print on standard paper, sticker paper, or iron-on paper for different uses!

3D DESIGN - MON 5:30PM

3D Design
Max Ray

MON 5:30-6:50pm Age 11-16
$130 for 8 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Learn how to design and print in 3D with our studio iPads. Or, bring your own device - but please install Nomad Sculpt before the first day of class. Create characters, mini creatures, dragons. more! Build skills and have fun. Students take home 3D prints of their creations.

Step-by-step project-based class.

3D ART
Sculpt, Sew & Crochet

SCULPT SCI-FI & FANTASY - THURS 4:00PM

Sculpt Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Scott Little
THURS 4:00-5:20pm Ages 10-17
$130 for 8 weeks

Learn to sculpt with polymer clay! Make characters, creatures, plants & mushrooms, or anything you can imagine. Students will build wire or foil bases, then wrap clay around their form to shape with clay tools. Then instructor will bake clay and students will paint with acrylics for an amazing finished creation.

CROCHET TOGETHER - TUES 5:30PM

Crochet Together
Alisia Duran
TUES 5:30-6:50pm
Adult, or adult with youth age 10 & up
$130 for 8 weeks; $65 for 4 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Come and learn about different crocheting methods, like hooks, stitches and patterns. You'll start by making simple crocheted squares that can be used to make scarves, pillows or blankets. After that, repeat students can learn more advanced patterns to make hats, jellyfish plushies, and more!

Instructor Alisia Duran is a professional crochet artist who sells her creations by commission and at art fairs. She enjoys using bright colors and crocheting whimsical creatures and characters.

CROCHET - WED/FRI/SAT

Beginning Crochet
Alisia Duran

WED 5:30-6:50pm; Age 10-15
FRI 4:00-5:20pm; Age 10-15
SAT 9:30-10:50am; Age 10-15
SAT 11:00am-12:20pm; Age 10-15

$130 for 8 weeks; $65 for 4 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Learn to crochet in this fun class. Start with a simple chain bracelet, then crochet circles and squares. These skills are the fundamentals of crochet - if you learn chains, circles & squares (and how to put them together), you can make anything! Make an adorable jellyfish plush using a simple circle pattern, then adding chain stitch legs. Finish your plush with a stitched smile and plastic safety eyes.

Repeat students can choose advanced patterns, including animals, food, and character dolls. Crochet takes time and patience, but the results are well worth the effort!

COSPLAY SEWING - WED 4:00PM - Waitlist only

Cosplay Sewing
Torie Mertens

WED 4:00-5:20pm Age 13-17 - FULL; waitlist only
$130 for 8 weeks; $65 for 4 weeks
Crystal Lake studio

Let's cosplay (costume + play)! What character would you like to be? Use a pattern and build costume accessories with instructor help, or learn to alter existing clothing. Students can also learn to sew everyday clothing from a pattern. Step-by-step instruction on machine and hand sewing. Hot glue guns will be available for building accessories from EVA foam and gemstones.

SEW IT - THURS or SAT - WAITLIST ONLY

Sew It
Torie Mertens
$130 for 8 weeks

THURS 4:00-5:20pm age 9-14 - FULL; waitlist only
THURS 5:30pm-6:50 age 11-17 FULL; waitlist only
SAT 12:30-1:50pm age 9-14 - FULL; waitlist only

Learn to sew using a hand needle and sewing machine. Start with a simple project with step-by-step help from your instructor. Then design your own patterns to create plushies, pillows, hats, totes, and more!

Get on the waitlist by emailing [email protected]

Sam Sieber 815.219.9243  [email protected]
Scott Little 815.403.5724 [email protected]

Janet Balboa 815.219.8492 [email protected]
Alisia Duran 217.550.2284   [email protected]
Kieran Ruddy 815.236.9514 (call/text)
Max Ray 815.529.4982 (call/text)
Torie Mertens 708.738.0725 (call/text)
Therese Wiser    815.529.7504   [email protected]

Please CONTACT your instructor with specific questions about medium, classes, or absences.

Want to take an art class, but not sure where to start?
Contact us at [email protected] or (815) 219-9243

Attendance & Make-up Classes
Make up classes or class credit are available when you need to miss a class; contact the instructor for details.
Please note: Make up classes or class credit must be completed with original instructor.

Online Classes
Live classes available online through Discord. Contact instructor for online class availability. Download Discord free HERE

Cancellations
If classes are cancelled due to weather or other factors, notice will be posted on this website, on our social media, or you can call 815.219.9243 for information. Instructors will also call/text students individually if classes are cancelled.

Scholarships
Scholarship applications available on our About page.