Our workshops are free for students, ages 6-18. Unless
otherwise noted, each workshop occurs once a week on
the same day, at the same time, for the duration of
the number of sessions indicated. Because each workshop
will build upon the ideas learned in the previous session,
students are asked to attend all sessions of a workshop.
Registration
is required. To register for a
workshop, click its “Sign
Up Online” link. All
workshops will be held at 826CHI,
1331 North Milwaukee Avenue. Send
us an
email if you have any questions.
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Five Sessions: June 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25th
Time: 10AM–5PM
Taught by local Chicago authors, 826CHI staff & volunteers
Limited to 20 students in grades entering9–12
Students will team up with professional writers and poets to develop their writing skills. Participants will have the opportunity to be published in the 2010-11 826CHI publication. The schedule each day will be from 10 AM to 5PM, including a lunch break. Students who sign up are required to attend all daytime sessions. On Friday, we will celebrate student work with an evening reading. Preference will be given to high school students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grade in CPS, and to those just graduated. Please fill out the form linked below, and in the “comments” section include a short 500-word essay detailing your interest in writing. Once accepted, to reserve a place, students must leave a $25 deposit, which will be fully refunded at the last class.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Seven Sessions: Tuesdays, June 22, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3 and 10th
Skip 6/29
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Zach Duffy, Ryan Morris, Gail Reich, and Ryan Witthans
Limited to 10 students in grades entering9–12
Students join other photographers to dive into the world of photography and writing. Digital cameras will be lent to students to use at home during the course. The final product will be a photo release event at a later date. Students must attend all sessions and photo memory cards will have to be delivered each week by Monday at noon to 826CHI. Preference will be given to high school students in CPS. Please fill out the form linked below, and in the “comments” section include a short 500-word essay detailing your interest in photography and writing. Once accepted, in order to reserve a place, students must leave a $100 deposit for the camera, which will be fully refunded once the workshop is over and the camera is returned.
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
Four Sessions: Wednesdays, June 30, July 7, 14 and 21st
Students will be required to attend the Festival - July 16, 17 or 18th - The exact date is still being determined. We will give each student a ticket to attend.
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Patrick Sisson and Shaffner
Limited to 6 students in grades entering 5–7
Pitchfork Media’s Pat Sisson will teach students the techniques of rock and roll journalism, from solid methods for interviewing bands to trying to describe what music sounds like. Students will then have the awesome opportunity to put their skills to work at the annual Pitchfork Music Festival where they will interview bands and write about the concert experience. The weekday classes will meet at 826CHI. The weekend festival will be in Washington Park. Students will attend the festival on one day of the July 16-18 weekend. Rock on Chicago!
Students will be required to attend all sessions at 826CHI and the Festival – July 16, 17 or 18th – The exact day is still being determined. We will give each student a ticket to attend.
Students registering for this class will be asked to submit a paragraph within one week about what music means to them. Students will be selected to participate based on those paragraphs. Therefore registration for this class DOES NOT guarantee a spot in the class.
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
Four Sessions: Tuesdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27th
Time: 12–2PM
Taught by Aaron Renier
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 5–8
Have you ever dreamt about being a comic book artist? Do you have fantastic ideas that are just itching to be put down on paper to prove to the world your brilliance? Do you work well with others? If you answered yes to these questions you should sign up for this workshop! You will collaborate with other secret comic geniuses from around town to make one giant comic book. It will be epic by the very definition of the word. Be prepared to write, write, write and draw, draw, draw.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Six Sessions: Tuesdays AND Thursdays, July 6, 8, 13, 15, 20 and 22nd
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by Kait Steele and 826 volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 5–8
Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for six sessions of writing projects. Students should be ready to improve their writing techniques and learn new ones through creative projects including poetry, short stories, comics, funny essays, and journalism. Each week, students will explore a new form of writing and finish the camp by making a book of their own writing. Students need to attend all sessions of this class. To reserve a place, students must leave a $25 deposit, which will be fully refunded at the last class.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Tuesdays, July 6 and 13th
Please Note: We will be meeting at the David Weinberg Gallery (300 W. Superior #203) for BOTH sessions.
Time: 5:30–7:15PM
Taught by Meghan McCook and an 826CHI volunteer in collaboration with David Weinberg Gallery
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 5–8
irst, visit the David Weinberg Gallery where you will view and learn about the body of work, Wheatley, Kaiser-Smith, and Glink, a three-person exhibit featuring multi-media works by three female Chicago artists. We will start by discussing ways to interpret art. Have you ever seen a piece of artwork that you loved or connected with but couldn’t say why? You will choose an artist, take notes about what you see in their artwork, and how it made you feel. Then it’s time to defend your opinion by taking on the role of an art critic and writing your own professional review! During the second session at 826CHI, you will outline your ideas and write a final draft of your review. Finally, post-workshop, we will publish an DWG-826CHI Workshop Booklet with a photo of the artwork by your chosen artist next to your review. Visit the gallery website to view artwork by the artists.www.davidweinberggallery.com Please Note: We will be meeting at the David Weinberg Gallery (300 W. Superior #203) for BOTH sessions.
Sign Up Online »
Three Sessions: Wednesdays, July 7, 14 and 21st
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by Pat Mohr
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for three weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students must attend all sessions. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesday class, but not both.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Five Sessions: Wednesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Andrea Silenzi
Limited to 12 students in grades entering7–13
Radio plays are the theater of the mind. There’s no stage used other than your imagination. In this kind of theater, you can create the crunch of boots stepping in snow using cornstarch, the flutter of bird’s wings using an old pair of gloves, and the plop of a body falling using a giant melon. In this class, we will learn to write an action packed script that puts Garrison Keillor to shame, make our words come to life with stellar acting chops, and record homemade sound effects that will gross out and amaze your friends. Our completed radio play will debut on WBEZ’s Vocalo.org. Preference will be given to high school students.
Sign Up Online »
Three Sessions: Thursdays, July 8, 15 and 22nd
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Dove Boyko
Limited to 12 students in grades entering8–13
Do you have a story to tell? Of course you do! So, why not tell it through hiphop? Learn how to write your own rap songs. This class breaks down hiphop song writing, making it easy for beginners to create their first rap or pros to sharpen their skills. Who knows…you could be Chicago’s next Kanye! Preference will be given to high school students.
Sign Up Online »
Three Sessions: Thursdays, July 8, 15 and 22nd
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Elizabeth Winkowski
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 3–6
Give your words and pictures a beautiful home in a hand-bound, cloth-covered book you build yourself! In this workshop, you’ll write your own story and plan out how you’d like your words and pictures to appear on each page of your book. Once you’ve planned out and written your words, you’ll add colorful illustrations that help bring your story to life! Finally, you’ll bind together the pages of your book using needle and thread, and you’ll build and decorate your cover. We guarantee—your book will be a great addition to your library! Bring your story ideas to the first class!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Saturdays, July 10, 17 and 24th
Time: 10AM–12PM
Taught by Gabrielle Kammerer and Katy Klassman from Vosges Chocolate
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–6
Did you know you can travel the world without ever leaving home? Through your senses of taste and smell you can go anywhere you want to go! We will explore new landscapes, cultures and people by eating lots of chocolate! The medium of chocolate will open your horizons and fill your belly! We will learn about the history of chocolate, how to make chocolate, the proper way to eat chocolate and write a guidebook about chocolate. Come join this delicious adventure! Priority will be given to students who aren’t already chocolate experts from our previous classes.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Saturdays, July 10, 17 and 24th
Time: 1–3PM
Taught by Gabrielle Kammerer and Katy Klassman from Vosges Chocolate
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–6
Are you inspired to learn about healthful cooking and eating? Explore nature’s Super Foods as we embark on a culinary journey to create and cook recipes that taste yummy and are good for you. As a team of Superheroes you will write a cookbook filled with recipes that are out of this world to share with your friends and family. We will learn the history of various Super Foods, how to use them in creative ways and we will certainly do our share of eating! Come join our newest delicious adventure!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Mondays, July 12, 19 and 26th
Open House for family and friends 2:45-3:15 on July 26th
Time: 1–3PM
Taught by David Miller
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 5–9
Ready to take your stop motion animations to the next level? Building on the concepts learned in the Animation Station workshops, you can now take on creating wire armatures for your clay puppets, building sets and props, adding sound and editing several scenes together to make a longer final project. Enrollment priority is given to those students who completed the Animation Station workshop this spring or anyone with experience in stop motion animation. Others are welcome to apply for any extra spots.
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
Two Sessions: Mondays, July 12 and 19th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for two weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students must attend both sessions. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesday class, but not both.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Four Sessions: Mondays, July 12, 19, 26 and August 2nd
Time: 5:30–7:30PM
Taught by Colette Hannahan
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 5–9
Calling all yogis and yoginis (or aspiring yogis and yoginis – no prior experience necessary!) You are summoned to come help create a guidebook to teach yoga to other kids through your insanely creative stories and your awe-inspiring illustrations!
Sign Up Online »
Two Sessions: Tuesdays, July 13 and 20th
Time: 2–3PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 1–3
Come join us for story hour! Each week we’ll read a book and complete a fun activity related to the book. Dive into the world of children’s books with us!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Saturday, July 17th
Time: 3:30–5:30PM
Taught by Gwen Tulin in collaboration with Brain Surgeon Theater
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 3–6
Do you sing in the shower? Have amazing song ideas that could be a Billboard sensation? Do you play or not play any instruments at all? Come realize your dreams and visions with Brain Surgeon Theater and 826CHI! This 2 hours workshop will get you on the fast track to writing your very own song. Workshop will cover song structure, concepts, and basic music composition. Bring your instruments of all shapes and sizes with you for this exciting day! Workshop will culminate in a mini-concert for your friends and family.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Wednesday, July 21st
Time: 1–3PM
Taught by Nada Cuvalo
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 3–5
Many poets use their writing to honor famous adventures, epic battles, and historical figures. We, however, will not be writing those kinds of poems. Our poems will focus on honoring the simpler things in life that sometimes get overlooked: a favorite sweater, Grandma’s delicious chocolate chip cookies, a pet alpaca, or a favorite tree in the neighborhood park. What is your most treasured item? Come join this workshop to show on paper that even the most common objects can seem extraordinary.
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
Three Sessions: Mondays, July 26, August 2 and 9th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
PART II 826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for three MORE weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students need to attend all sessions of this class, but they do not need to have attended Part I earlier in the summer. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesday class, but not both.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Six Sessions: Tuesdays AND Thursdays, July 27, 29, August 3, 5, 10 and 12th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by Kait Steele and 826 volunteers
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 5–8
PART II Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for six MORE sessions of writing projects. Students should be ready to improve their writing techniques and learn new ones through creative projects including poetry, short stories, comics, funny essays, and journalism. Each week students will explore a new form of writing and finish the camp by making a book of their own writing. Students need to attend all sessions of this class, but they do not need to have attended Part I earlier in the summer. To reserve a place, students must leave a $25 deposit, which will be fully refunded at the last class.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Wednesdays, July 28, August 4 and 11th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Ashlee Christian
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 3–5
Travel back with 826CHI into a simpler time in history. A time when movies didn’t require 3-D glasses, shape shifting robots, or even TALKING. That’s right folks, I’m talking about silent films. In this workshop you will write, star in, and edit an entire silent film! So whether you have a talent for acting, directing, writing, or doing the Charleston this workshop is for you!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Wednesdays, July 28, August 4 and 11th
Time: 3:30–5PM
Taught by Pat Mohr
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 2–4
PART II 826CHI is proud to offer writing camp! Join 826CHI staff and volunteers for three MORE weeks of exciting writing activities including: poetry, silly stories, and other surprises. Students will develop new skills and refine old ones. Students need to attend all sessions of this class, but they do not need to have attended Part I earlier in the summer. Students may sign up for Monday OR Wednesday class, but not both.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Thursday, July 29th
Time: 1:15–3PM
Taught by Moira Cassidy
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–3
Have you ever wondered what to say if an alien asks you to dinner? Well, this workshop is your chance to find out! 826CHI’s Space Exploration program is looking for brave boys and girls to help us with important research about who (and what!) lives in outer space. Junior Space Explorers will have the opportunity to “travel” to other worlds, record their experiences in their personal Space Exploration Logs and make a scale model of one of the alien creatures they meet on their journey. NO SPACE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Thursday, July 29th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Jonathan Kaplan
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 4–8
Creating a story out of thin air is easy if you know the steps to getting there. The Story Workshop method is the standard practice of Columbia College Chicago’s Fiction Writing department. It lets the student form a scene or a story start in a few fun and creative steps. Through word games and flushing out the senses of scene, the students will leave with a detailed and complete section of a story they can build upon or have published.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Three Sessions: Saturdays, July 31, August 7 and 14th
Time: 1–2:30PM
Taught by Laura Philbin
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 2–5
Almost everyone is familiar with the story of Cinderella and her wicked stepsisters and her glass slipper. But what about Candace and her moss gown, or Chinye and her magical gourd? “Cinderella” stories have existed in many different cultures, bave you ever wondered how such fairy tales came to be? Here is your chance to learn more about the Cinderella, rags to riches tale and an opportunity to create one of your own.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Monday, August 2nd
Time: 1:15–3PM
Taught by Moira Cassidy
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 2–4
Have you ever wondered what to say if an alien asks you to dinner? Well, this workshop is your chance to find out! 826CHI’s Space Exploration program is looking for brave boys and girls to help us with important research about who (and what!) lives in outer space. Junior Space Explorers will have the opportunity to “travel” to other worlds, record their experiences in their personal Space Exploration Logs and make a scale model of one of the alien creatures they meet on their journey. NO SPACE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. This class is for travelers – who didn’t explore space in training session 1 on July 29th.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Tuesdays, August 3 and 10th
Time: 2–3PM
Taught by 826CHI Staff & Volunteers
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 1–3
Come join us for story hour! Each week we’ll read a book and complete a fun activity related to the book. Dive into the world of children’s books with us!
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
Two Sessions: Wednesdays, August 4 and 11th
Please note: We will be meeting at the David Weinberg Gallery (300 W. Superior #203) on August 4th and at 826CHI on August 11th.
Time: 5:30–7:15PM
Taught by Meghan McCook and 826CHI in collaboration with David Weinberg Gallery
Limited to 15 students in grades entering 5–8
First, visit the David Weinberg Gallery where you will view and learn about the body of work,Friedman and Miss Aniela, a two-person show featuring the color photography of atmospheric night landscapes by Amanda Friedman, and narrative self-portraits by Miss Aniela. We will take notes on the photographs and discuss the idea of telling a story with a single image. Each student will pick one photograph and begin brainstorming ideas about what story the photo could be telling. During the second session at 826CHI, we will review our experience with the art and each write a short story about your chosen photograph. Finally, post-workshop, we will publish an DWG-826CHI Workshop Booklet with a your chosen photo next to your story. Visit the gallery website to view artwork by the artists. www.davidweinberggallery.com Please note: We will be meeting at the David Weinberg Gallery (300 W. Superior #203) on August 4th and at 826CHI on August 11th.
This workshop is full. (You can put your name on the waitlist, though.)
Two Sessions: Thursdays, August 5 and 12th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Steven Etheridge
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 3–4
There are a lot of fun planets out there, and today’s busy alien only wants to visit the very best. As an interplanetary travel agent, your job is to create a vacation brochure for planet Earth, explaining why there’s no better place in the galaxy to get away. How do you entertain a family with tentacles instead of arms? Where’s the best place to park a spaceship? What makes Earth better than, say, Saturn or Neptune? And how do you deal with sensitive issues like abduction? Be ready to answer questions like these, as your planet is depending on you!
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Thursdays, August 5 and 12th
Time: 5:30–7PM
Taught by Jessica Gordon
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 5–8
Are you passionate about something and absolutely want to change the world? Do you think your ideas could help the planet? Then come save the world with us! Students will learn about certain activists (such as Greg Mortenson of Three Cups of Tea) and how they can be one as teens!
Sign Up Online »
Two Sessions: Saturdays, August 7 and 14th
Time: 10:30AM–12PM
Taught by Susan Hanrahan
Limited to 12 students in grades entering 3–5
Do you ever wonder what your dog or cat is thinking? For that matter, do you ever wonder what happens in the day-to-day life of a koala, coyote, or iguana? Here’s your chance to find out for yourself by becoming that animal and writing a story from its first-hand perspective. In this two-part workshop, we’ll discuss the techniques for using a first-person narration and how to include detail that makes the character believable and identifiable. You’ll be randomly assigned an animal, research it, and write a short story using the animal as your narrator. We’ll all help edit each other’s work and publish our stories in a collection to take home.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
Two Sessions: Saturdays, August 7 and 14th
Time: 3–4:30PM
Taught by David Wolinsky and Kelly Reilly
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 2–4
Ever wish you could decide what was on TV? Well, here’s your chance to write and act out an episode of your favorite show starring you and your favorite friends! The best part is you are in charge and famous. The ratings will be through the roof, just like your talent.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
One Session: Monday, August 9th
Time: 1:30–3PM
Taught by Katie Leimkuehler
Limited to 10 students in grades entering 2–4
Do you ever wonder where aliens shop, what their houses look like, or how their spaceships fly? In this workshop, we will you give you starting clues about the cities in space and you will write short stories about aliens and where they live.
****Sorry, this workshop is full****
For more information
contact workshops@826chi.org.
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