Arts: Crystal Lake cottage provides lessons
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| Creative Artistry director and teacher Amber Larsen helps out students during a lesson at the Crystal Lake arts cottage. (Photo by Jennifer Zegler) |
Over the last decade one Crystal Lake cottage has been a caretakers house for Dole Mansion, an antique restoration shop and is now home to an active artistic zone full of creative spirit.
Inside this quaint cottage tagged as the “Art Cottage,” is Creative Artistry Fine Arts Studio, which is overflowing with artistic ideas and experiences. Inside, paint is flowing as young artists explore and learn acrylic and oil painting at easels, while others are blending soft pastels or overlaying markers to obtain a new effect on their art piece.
The Art Cottage also has Fine Art classes focused specifically on one medium and technique. It is open for artists of all ages, all levels of experience and many creative interests. The school features many drawing mediums, diverse painting mediums, sculpture, photography, photography shop, cartooning and more.
Director and teacher Amber Larsen resigned from Husmann Elementary School to realize her dream of opening her own art school last year. Larsen has 16 years experience in art education and a Master of Fine Arts education.
“I want them to feel relaxed and comfortable and have a pressure free moment in their lives to just enjoy the process of art,” Larsen says. “Performing art increases self-esteem, creative and critical thinking and a person truly gains a great sense of accomplishment.”
Located in a beautiful area, behind Lakeside Legacy Arts Park with direct access to Crystal Lake Beach, Dole Mansion and its inspiring gardens for “plein aire” painting and on location art work, it is the perfect spot for artists.
The bright and open working spaces are relaxed and instill a motivational climate to its students, Larsen says. It is a place where each student can, select their own subject and medium, while the teacher facilitates and works with each individual.
Eight additional artist/instructors have joined Creative Artistry to share their artistic skills with the community through classes, workshops or Ladies Night Out events. Adult classes in glass painting, basketry, oil painting, stained glass, jewelry, mosaic, watercolor, and calligraphy are available during the day or evening.
Local and well-known artist are scheduled or being sought after for workshops and demonstrations within the next year.
“Creative Artistry is such an exciting adventure and opportunity for the community,” she explains. “Kids can get messy while learning to apply the art elements and adults can tap into their creative side and produce some magnificent pieces of art. The diversity of ideas and quality of work the students design never ceases to amaze me; I am constantly inspired by them.”
For information on the November session of classes visit the studio at 400 Highland Ave., Crystal Lake, call 815-404-6520 or email artart13@hotmail.com.
