Art Lessons in Chicago for Kids

The Paintbrush, Chicago:
The Paintbrush, opened in 2005, is a children's art studio owned by sisters Melanie and Mindy Apel in Lakeview on the North Side of Chicago, Cook County, IL. At The Paintbrush, kids do more than just paint. Can your four-year old identify art by Miro or Picasso? Starting at 18 months old, kids learn about famous artists, listen to music and create their own inspired works of art and projects inspired by the artists' styles. The mission of The Paintbrush is to introduce young children to the wonderful world of art. The main goal is to teach kids to love art and have an understanding of the artists they study and whose works inspire their own creations.

The Paintbrush offers a selection of classes geared to different ages along with workshops and summer camps. Classes are ongoing, so kids can join anytime.

- Tiny Artist's classes:  For ages 18 months - 4 years and parent / tot interaction with actively participating adult (45 minutes - adult participation required).

- Apprentice's classes:  For ages 3 - 4 years with participting parent (45 minutes).

- Little Master's classes:  Drop-off for children ages 4 - 8 years (1 hour - Any class with fewer than 2 children enrolled will meet for 45 minutes).

- Drawing Classes:  For ages 5 years+ (1 hour - FALL I: 6 weeks; FALL II: 9 weeks; FALL I&II Combo Pack: 15 weeks).

- Water Color Workshop:  For ages 5 years+ (1 hour - FALL I: 8 weeks).

- Summer Art Camp

"This is not an arts and crafts class, but a real art class where the kids work with real artists and their work!"
- Anna, Parent.

“The Paintbrush’s small classes are great -- my kids get personal attention from the teacher. My kids are so proud of the art they bring home; and I am always astonished when my kids recognize artists’ works when we are out! This is a great class for my kids, one of whom who has always loved art and the other who has learned to love it through these classes.”
- Enid, Parent.

“I loved the special bonding time with my son. With an older child at home, I rarely had one-on-one time with my little one. But in this class it was all about the two of us working together on beautiful art that we now proudly display at home. Now that he is older he can do all the work himself. He learned his shapes, his colors … so much in his Tiny Artist's class!”
- Anne, Parent.