It's all about Texture!

Classes started this week and the topic is texture. Our art facilitators made the most beautiful rice display. They dyed portions of the rice different colors and mixed it all together. The children LOVED it! Then they were on to making collage pieces and more. Next week will be about color...stay tuned.

We Open!!!!

(William Cote - exhausted after the party).

What a crazy few weeks it has been. The studio is complete for the most part, with just some art to put on the walls and a few odds and ends here and there (we forgot to purchase a mop!) We start classes this Wednesday.

Today we celebrated our dear friend Mei-Li’s 3rd birthday. What a way to break us in, we had over 40 guests and all the children were busy working. It was dream come true to watch them go from station to station, creating, doing, exploring. It’s exactly what Magical Minds Studio is all about. Our lead facilitator, Elizabeth was a lifesaver too, what a great job she did demonstrating, supervising and cleaning. We hope to have her around for a very long time.

A special thanks to my friends Krista and John Mikos for having their daughter, Mei-Li’s birthday at our studio. We appreciate the support and care from our friends. Speaking of friends, with all the motivation and support we’ve received it's made us realize what a special community we have here in Oak Park. We have dear friends, priceless friends, we love you all like family and are so glad to have you all in our lives.

Special thanks to our family, especially my in-laws who spent hours cleaning up our 55 page business plan and helping us setup Quick Books. For all those encouraging words and research articles on how important art is for young minds.

But most of all I want to thank my husband Tom. Without him Magical Minds Studio would have never come to life. He took my vision and used his skills to make it a reality for all to enjoy. He never ceases to amaze me with his craft and passion for getting things done the right way.

Here are the pictures from the party...I'm going to finally get a good night's sleep!

Our Staff

Some of you are wondering who will be leading our Magical Minds Studio classes So for inquiring minds, I am happy to present....

Elizabeth Fotopoulos - Lead Facilitator:
Elizabeth received her degree in Art Education and Art History from Purdue University in Indiana. Prior to that she attended College of DuPage where she studied Science. She has worked with Purdue’s Gifted Education program as a summer counsel and teachers assistant.

Currently Elizabeth is a part-time drawing instructor for Young Rembrandt’s here in Illinois which she enjoys deeply!

“Being raised by a mother who draws and paints, a father who is a skilled carpenter and a grandmother who attended the School of the Art Institute as a young woman, one can say I never went a day without some sort of art being involved in my life. When I'm not teaching I can be found working on my marbling, woodcuts, or paintings and sometimes even a little knitting!”

During my student teaching at Purdue I found my love for teaching young children therefore I am excited to be apart of the Magical Minds team!

Lauren Anderson - Art Facilitator:
A native of Chesapeake, Virginia Lauren ventured to Chicago to attend the School of the Art Institute, where she received her BFA, specializing in Print Media.

The following summer she was a fellow at Ox-Bow Summer School of Art in Saugatuck, Michigan. After her time in Michigan Lauren returned to the Chicago and decided to make the Windy City her home. Currently she creates prints and objects, displaying her work at events in and around Chicago.

Lauren’s passion for working with children comes from her love of art and introducing new and different techniques to young minds.

Hsuan-Hsiu Hung - Art Facilitator:
Hsuan-Hsiu journeyed to the United States from Taiwan. She attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and received her BFA specializing in painting, ceramics, sculpture and drawing. Recently she has moved to Oak Park so she can be closer to her work at Magical Minds Studio.

Hsuan-Hsiu has instructed young students on various artistic mediums including art books. In addition to working with children, she has experience working with developmentally disabled adults in a community art program where she served as an artist mentor.

“I love working in the creative environment! I think children are inspirational. And to be in a role where I help them grow through art-making is just wonderful. I have a lot of experience teaching and working with people in the art field. I am very passionate and patient in teaching; it has brought so much joy to me as well. I appreciate a place like Magical Minds Studio for providing children the opportunity to explore and I believe I have much to give to your community.”

More Paint

Yes, I'm posting more pictures of painted walls. We also got our last shipment of furniture in today. Huan-Hsiu has been kind enough to help us paint the walls and she is doing a great job.

Here's a picture of the painting station (orange), reading station (blue), and the back wall (green). The only walls left now are the drawing area's which will be yellow and purple.

Clock is ticking

With less than 3 weeks to go!

There has been a lot of activity this week. Plenty of runs to Home Depot, Menards, Ace Hardware, Sherman Williams...the list goes on. Next week our progress will be more visual than any other week. The studio will be painted in full and cabinets and fixtures will be installed in all areas.

Here you will see the Parent’s Lounge is painted as well as the Reading side of the wall and the Wet wall that will hold the sink and cabinets.

We had Grandma and Grandpa Herbert visit us this morning. What a treat it was to show them how far along we’ve come. Cyrus of course gave them a running tour. He did manage to slow down for a picture.