SIDE STREET
STUDIO ARTS
Where Elgin Creates
FALL CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
ADULT WORKSHOPS
September Sip & Paint
Saturday September 6 from 6pm - 8pm
Join artist John French for “Sip & Paint” and create your own Sunset City Skyline. Follow along step by step to create this painting or slightly modify to create a “skyline” of your favorite city.
All painting materials are included. One alcoholic beverage is included with your ticket. Cash Bar will be open for additional purchases.
Spooktastic Stained Glass Workshop
Friday, October 10 from 6pm - 9pm ~ OR ~ Saturday, October 11 from 1pm - 4pm
The same workshop is offered both days.
$85 per class - Materials includedBest for students ages 18+ / Maximum 10 students per class.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll join artist Abby Franke to explore the copper foil technique—cutting, shaping, and assembling colorful glass pieces into a classic Halloween bat! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your creative skills, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance and all the materials needed to craft a unique stained glass keepsake.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Abby Franke received her BFA in Integrative Studio Practice from the Herron School of Art and Design in May of 2024. Abby was the most recent Going Dutch Artist in Residence at Side Street Studio Arts, and sells her stained glass jewelry in MADE.
Block Printing October Workshop
Friday, October 17 from 6pm - 8:30pm
$60 per class - Materials includedBest for students ages 14+
Join artist Nikki Warren for a block printing workshop and create your own fall, halloween or spooky themed stamp for printing. Make art prints, stamps and more!
The students can expect to learn the basics of the block printing process and the ways they can include it in their own creative practice and how they can get experimental with it.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Nicki Warren— "I personally use block printing to make art prints and also in my bookbinding practice! Sometimes, I print on the cover of a finished book." Nicki has taught sold out block printing classes at Side Street Studio Arts and sells her artwork in MADE.
November Sip & Paint
Saturday November 1 from 6pm - 8pm
Join artist John French for “Sip & Paint” and create your own vibrant fall pumpkin.
All painting materials are included. One alcoholic beverage is included with your ticket. Cash Bar will be open for additional purchases.
Block Printing November Workshop
Friday, November 14 from 6pm - 8:30pm
$60 per class - Materials included / Best for students ages 14+
This Winter Holiday season spend some time with us at Side Street making your own stamp for printing. You will carve and create a stamp that you can use again and again to decorate and design, holiday cards, gift bags and gift tags.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Nicki Warren is a multidisciplinary artist originally born near Milan, Italy. She works in a variety of mediums including oil and acrylic, ink, watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and digital. She is particularly fascinated with memory, nostalgia, and fantasy and the effects they have in art.
Nicki has taught sold out block printing classes at Side Street Studio Arts and sells her artwork in MADE.
Wonders of Felt Workshop
Saturday, November 15th 12-2pm | Main Gallery
$40 | Materials includedBest for students ages 14+
Join Sugey Mondragon to learn the many Wonders you can create with Felt! Utilize felt pieces to create fun and whimsical items! Creating felt wallets, keychains, puppets, plushes, bookmarks and more.
Students will include embroidery skills to help perfect our crafts and personalize them even more and make something we are happy and proud of! Learn to make a gift for someone special for the upcoming Holiday season.
Holiday Stained Glass Ornament Workshops
Friday, November 21 from 6-9pm
Saturday, November 22 from 1-4pm
Sunday, December 7 from 1-4pm
The same workshop is offered all three days.
$85 per class - Materials includedBest for students ages 18+ / Maximum 10 students per class.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll join artist Abby Franke to explore the copper foil technique—cutting, shaping, and assembling colorful glass pieces into your choice of a star or a tree. These can be ornaments or window decor. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your creative skills, you’ll receive step-by-step guidance and all the materials needed to craft a unique stained glass keepsake.
Abstract Painting Workshop
Sunday, November 23rd from 1-3pm
-OR-
Sunday, December 7th from 1-3pm
$45 | Materials includedBest for students ages 14+
Spend a Sunday at Side Street painting away the Sunday “Scaries”.
Explore the plasticity of acrylic as you paint an abstract painting. Learn how to layer, scrape, add visual texture while expressing your creative self on the canvas. (Same workshop offered on two different days... pick the day that works best for you!)
DAYTIME OFFERINGS
Big and Little Day Classes
Tuesdays
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, and 11
11am-12pm
$90 | 6 Weeks | 1-Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for students ages 3-4
Be creative with your little one as you explore a variety of art making processes. Make discoveries, build skills, enjoy making together while leaving the mess at Side Street. This class is for a “big” adult/guardian and a “little” 3 or 4 year old. Find community in your parenting journey at Side Street.
Homeschool Cohort K-5
Thursdays
October 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, and 13
1pm - 2:30pm
$135 | 6 Weeks | 1.5 Hour Sessions | Materials included
Best for students in Grades K-5
This class is for homeschool students in the area who are looking for some art experiences to add to your week!
Explore a different medium each class in order to expose students to a wide variety of artistic styles.
CLASSES FOR K-5
Play With Paint! K-5
Monday Evenings
October 6, 13, 20, 27
November 3, and 10
6pm - 7:30pm
$135 | 6 Weeks | 1.5 Hour Sessions | Materials included
Best for students in Grades K-5
Each week. experience a new way to paint: watercolor, salt, acrylic, etc! Get messy and have fun while playing with color and medium. Get lost in the process while creating a unique painting!
CLASSES FOR GRADES 6-8TH
Paper Mache Sculpture
Wednesdays
October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29
7pm - 8:30pm
$90 | 5 Weeks | 1.5 Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for students in Grades 6-8
Students will create 3D Paper Mache Sculptures over a 5 week class. Students will design, form, sculpt, paper mache and paint their larger scale works.
One Man's Trash is An Artist's COLLAGE Class
Fridays
November 21, December 5, and 19
6:30pm - 8:00pm
$55 | 3 Week Mini-Series | 1.5 Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for students in Grades 6-8
Young students will be learning about the amazing world of collaging. Not only is this accessible to anyone who receives newspapers,photos,junk stickers, or any type of paper we can then utilize these items to create vast variety of different artworks. Join us for a safe space to hang and create on Friday evenings! Bring in your own paper magazines, stickers and junk mail - we will have lots on hand as well. Make a gift for a friend this Holiday season or something for yourself.
Drawing 1 / Grades 6-8
Tuesdays
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, and 11
5:30pm - 7:00pm
$95 | 6 Weeks | 1.5 Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for students in Grades 6-8
This course introduces students to the essential principles and techniques of drawing. Through structured instruction and hands-on exercises, students will develop core skills in line work, value, and form. Students will engage in projects that build visual awareness, hand-eye coordination, and confidence in drawing and sketching. Classwork includes instructor demonstrations and guided practice, designed to strengthen technical ability. This course is ideal for beginners or anyone looking to solidify their foundational drawing skills.
Fashion Arts: DIY Fashion
Sundays
October 5, 12, 19
November 2, and 9, and 16
2pm - 4pm
$110 | 6 Weeks | 2-Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for students in Grades 6-8
Modify your wardrobe through tie dye, applique, embroidery, mending, altering, bleaching, and many more. Spend your Sundays Sewing with Anna! Whether you are a novice or experienced sewer…this class with be sure to have something fun and new for you to learn! Students should bring clothing items from home to makeover each week.
CLASSES FOR ADULTS
Intro to Standup Comedy [Spanish/Spanglish]
Mondays
November 3, and 10, 17
December 1, 8, 15
7pm-8:30pm
$90 | 6 Weeks | 1.5-Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for Adults 18+
A 6 week intro to standup comedy in Spanish/Spanglish which aims to cater to the Elgin Area latino community. The course would focus on basic joke writing, different forms of standup comedy, character creation, stage presence and how to navigate the comedy scene in Chicago and suburbs. Ending the 6 week workshop with a showcase at SSSA on Friday, Dec 19th @7pm. ($5 suggested donation for non-students)
Watercolor Portraits [Pets and People]
Wednesdays
November 5, 12, 19
December 3, 10, 17
7pm-8:30pm
$95 | 6 Weeks | 1.5-Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for Adults 14+
An intro to watercolor portraits from beginners to some experience. Watercolor can be intimidating but we'll go over some basic techniques and create different basic portraits ending the six week workshop creating a larger format watercolor portrait.
Stamping and Printing w/ Sugey
Saturdays
November 22,
December 6, 12
12pm-2pm
$60 | 3 Week Mini Series | 2-Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for Adults 14+
Students will hand carve a stamp to press and print their own unique clothing items, totebags, handkerchiefs, shirts, pants, dish clothes and more! People will carve a design of their choice and begin to print on an item of their choice and learn the history of linoleum printing and how easy and fun it can be to add a little bit of you into your clothing! Create Holiday cards, gift tags, stamp gift bags, create unique prints, gifts and so much more!
Drawing 1 for ADULTS 14+
Tuesdays
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11
7:30pm-9pm
$130 | 6-Week Class | 1.5-Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for Adults 14+
This course introduces students to the essential principles and techniques of drawing. Through structured instruction and hands-on exercises, students will develop core skills in line work, value, and form. Students will engage in projects that build visual awareness, hand-eye coordination, and confidence in drawing and sketching. Classwork includes instructor demonstrations and guided practice, designed to strengthen technical ability. This course is ideal for beginners or anyone looking to solidify their foundational drawing skills.
Grounding, Sensing, and Moving
Thursdays
October 2, 9, 16, 23
November 6, 13
7pm-8:30pm
$90 | 6-Week Class | 1.5-Hour Sessions | Materials includedBest for Adults 14+
A gentle and fun dance class leading participants through practices that explore body awareness and sensation as the foundation of movement. Over the course of 6 weeks, we'll build the foundations for dance that is grounded in presence using principles from somatics, modern dance technique and our shared culture of movement. A collaborative short choreography will be developed as a testing ground for our ability to stay connected to joy while moving in a structured way.