Text reading 'Once upon an easel' in a Gothic style font with ornamental decorations, and a decorative initial letter 'O' with a floral design.

adventures in fantasy & folklore

Let your child’s imagination soar in Once Upon an Easel, an enchanting art class where stories come to life through drawing, painting, sculpting, and storytelling.

Designed especially for young artists ages 6-8, this five-week session invites children to explore fantasy and folklore from around the world while creating their own magical worlds. Together, we’ll dream up gentle creatures, brave helpers, imaginative maps, and whimsical treasures—centering creativity, empathy, and belonging every step of the way.

Rather than focusing on heroes who conquer or collect treasure, this class celebrates stories where kindness, community, and care are the greatest magic of all.

Class Details

  • Ages: 6-8

  • Schedule: Saturdays, 10:00–11:30am
    February 7 through March 7

  • Session Length: 5 weeks

  • Location:
    SPARK Studio,
    Cornelia Arts Building, Studio 205A
    1800 W Cornelia Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60657

  • Class Size: Limited to 6 students

  • Materials: All supplies provided

Tuition

This class is offered on a sliding scale to support access for families.

  • $150 ($30/class) – Community Rate

  • $225 ($45/class) – Standard Rate

  • $300 ($60/class) – Supporter Rate

Families are invited to choose the rate that best fits their circumstances. Supporter tuition helps make this class accessible to more students.

What We’ll Create

Over the course of the session, we will:

  • Design a magical creature companion

  • Illustrate storybook heroes and helpers

  • Create a map of an imagined world

  • Sculpt a whimsical enchanted object

  • Make an original illustrated story to take home

Each class blends storytelling, movement, and hands-on artmaking in a calm, supportive studio environment.

Our Approach:

🌍 Global & inclusive storytelling inspired by folktales from many cultures

🎨 Process-based artmaking—no “right” or “wrong” way to create

💛 Anti-colonial lens that emphasizes community, care, and imagination over conquest

🖍 Developmentally appropriate for early elementary learners

✨ Small group size to support confidence, connection, and creative risk-taking