Marwen Visual Arts Programs
Marwen, 833 N. Orleans Street, Chicago, IL 60610
About
Marwen Visual Arts Programs offers visual arts courses that include photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, film, animation, digital and game design, comics, illustration, sculpture, fashion, fiber, printmaking, and life drawing. The program also includes hands-on workshops, family-friendly events, a career fair, field trips to colleges and universities, and term-based exhibition celebrations. Students have access to modern artmaking amenities such as 8 studios, 2 labs, 3 galleries, an on-site kiln, and a darkroom, with free art supplies in every class.
• Ages: 11–18 years old
• Schedule: Marwen’s Career Fair is held on April 4th from Noon–2pm.
• Price: No-cost studio arts courses; no-cost visual arts classes; free art classes; free art supplies in every class; RSVP to join for free for the Career Fair.
Marwen was founded in 1987. Its mission statement is that Marwen educates and inspires young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community, and that Marwen exists to educate and inspire through art and community. The leadership team includes Akilah Halley, Executive Director; Evan Pazkowski, Deputy Director, Development; Vic Mallari, Enrollment Coordinator; Martha Osornio Ruiz, Senior Manager of Studio Programs; Maricela Ramírez, Senior Manager of Outreach & Youth Pathways; John Lyons, Director of Programs & Facilities; and Victoria Timpo, Senior Manager of Learning & Assessment.
Marwen has supported nearly 16,000 young people through no-cost studio arts courses, academic mentorship, and professional development programs, and serves more than 1,000 young people each year. Of the young people served, 78% are from low-income families and 88% identify as BIPOC, and Marwen reports serving 100% of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Marwen maintains a city-wide network of artists, arts organizations, creative companies, colleges, and universities, and offers field trips to Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. The program includes commission-based opportunities for 16–18 year old artists, a paid summer internship program, and the Marwen Emerging Teaching Artist Program (METAs), as well as New Student Open House & Registration events and a Career Fair for Chicago youth to explore job fields and connect with industry professionals.
Marwen received an Egretha Award from AWBC Magazine for Community Impact. A middle school Marwen student shared, “I’m writing a story in Marwen’s comic class now. Then I’m going to make my characters come to life in the 3-D printing class. Next term, I’ll take filmmaking to animate the whole thing. I have plans. I can do everything here.”
Last updated April 18, 2026.
• Ages: 11–18 years old
• Schedule: Marwen’s Career Fair is held on April 4th from Noon–2pm.
• Price: No-cost studio arts courses; no-cost visual arts classes; free art classes; free art supplies in every class; RSVP to join for free for the Career Fair.
Marwen was founded in 1987. Its mission statement is that Marwen educates and inspires young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community, and that Marwen exists to educate and inspire through art and community. The leadership team includes Akilah Halley, Executive Director; Evan Pazkowski, Deputy Director, Development; Vic Mallari, Enrollment Coordinator; Martha Osornio Ruiz, Senior Manager of Studio Programs; Maricela Ramírez, Senior Manager of Outreach & Youth Pathways; John Lyons, Director of Programs & Facilities; and Victoria Timpo, Senior Manager of Learning & Assessment.
Marwen has supported nearly 16,000 young people through no-cost studio arts courses, academic mentorship, and professional development programs, and serves more than 1,000 young people each year. Of the young people served, 78% are from low-income families and 88% identify as BIPOC, and Marwen reports serving 100% of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Marwen maintains a city-wide network of artists, arts organizations, creative companies, colleges, and universities, and offers field trips to Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. The program includes commission-based opportunities for 16–18 year old artists, a paid summer internship program, and the Marwen Emerging Teaching Artist Program (METAs), as well as New Student Open House & Registration events and a Career Fair for Chicago youth to explore job fields and connect with industry professionals.
Marwen received an Egretha Award from AWBC Magazine for Community Impact. A middle school Marwen student shared, “I’m writing a story in Marwen’s comic class now. Then I’m going to make my characters come to life in the 3-D printing class. Next term, I’ll take filmmaking to animate the whole thing. I have plans. I can do everything here.”
Last updated April 18, 2026.
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