SIDE STREET
STUDIO ARTS
Where Elgin Creates
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Studio Days are immersive, single-day arts experiences designed for young artists on school holidays and institute days. Inspired by Side Street Studio Arts' mission of exploration, creativity, and community, each Studio Day features a unique theme with hands-on projects, collaborative making, gallery experiences, and opportunities to experiment with a variety of artistic materials and techniques.
Whether your young artist attends one Studio Day or joins us throughout the school year, each session offers a completely new creative adventure.
Grades K–5 / 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Grades 6–12 / 1:00–4:00 pm
Suggested Pay What You Can Donation : $35 per student, per Studio Day.
All materials and a snack are included.
The Theater is up a flight of stairs and not wheelchair accessible.
CLICK ON A DATE TO REGISTER
September 7, 2026
Art at Work
Celebrate Labor Day by discovering how artists, designers, builders, and inventors shape the world around us. Young Artists will tackle creative design challenges, experiment with a variety of materials, and discover that making art is thoughtful, imaginative work.
October 12, 2026
Land & Place
Young Artists will explore how artists draw inspiration from the places we live, the natural world, and the communities that shape us. Through observation, storytelling, and nature-inspired projects, young artists will create work that reflects their own connection to place while learning about artists whose work celebrates the land and environment.
November 2 & November 3, 2026
Going Dutch
Inspired by Side Street Studio Arts' annual Going Dutch performance festival, students will explore performance, movement, storytelling, installation, and collaborative art-making. Artists will create immersive experiences, experiment with audience interaction, and discover how visual and performing arts come together.
January 18 & January 19, 2027
Art for Good
How can creativity make our communities stronger?
Young artists will use art to spread kindness, inspire hope, and imagine positive change through collaborative projects, community-focused artwork, and creative challenges centered around compassion and connection.
February 15, 2027
Change Makers
Artists have the power to inspire change.
Young artists will explore leadership, creativity, and community while designing artwork that celebrates people who make a difference and imagines ways art can help shape a better future.
February 26, 2027
Mixed Media Mash-Up
Paint, collage, printmaking, sculpture, drawing, fiber, found objects—why choose just one?
Young artists will spend the day experimenting across multiple artistic mediums, combining materials in unexpected ways while discovering new creative techniques and developing their own unique artistic voice.
April 5 & 6, 2027
Your Voice, Your Art
Young artists will explore how artists express ideas, tell stories, and inspire conversation through creative work. Through printmaking, collaborative murals, sculpture, illustration, and mixed-media projects, participants will discover how art can communicate what matters most to them while celebrating the many voices that make a community stronger.

