Artists Find Home at Creative Artistry

Driving by the simple white house located behind the stately Dole Mansion, one may not expect to find an artists’ haven behind its doors.

What once served as the mansion’s caretakers’ house when it was built in the mid-1800s is now home to Creative Artistry art school. Inside, guests are greeted by splashes of color, whether on the walls in the form of murals and finely-painted canvasses or on the red floors, with their yellow and blue paint splatters.

Owner Amber Larsen said Creative Artistry’s home at 400 Highland Avenue in Crystal Lake is “the perfect spot,” with its proximity to the mansion, a park and a beach, all of which lend themselves to students’ creativity. Larsen enjoys watching that creativity explode.

“It’s what the kids get out of it. They feel good. They feel like an artist,” said Larsen. “I just feel like learning to be creative just extends into your live. You’re going to see things differently. You start to think differently. It gives a whole new meaning to your life.”

Larsen has been an artist her whole life. She taught at Husmann School in Crystal Lake District 47 for 16 years before taking over ownership of Creative Artistry.

“It fell in my lap,” said Larsen, who has been involved with the business for three years. The first year, Larsen taught classes at Creative Artistry at night while teaching at Husmann during the day. Then, the former owner asked Larsen if she’d take over the business. Larsen decided to leave her teaching career behind.

“It’s been awesome,” said Larsen. “I’ve always wanted to have my own school.”

Creative Artistry’s students, who range from ages 3 to 65, are taught by Larsen and six others: Darlene Bremer, Patricia Lynn Eagle, Linda Holway, Lori Kiergaard, Andy Rousey and Susan Sieber.

“In three years, we’ve totally expanded,” said Larsen.

During the day, Creative Artistry is filled with preschool students, home-school groups and adults. Each night, the school offers classes for children ages 3 to 18. Larsen plans to offer evening classes for adults soon.

Classes consist of two groups: fine arts progressive and skill building.
The fine arts progressive program is a 10-week session that allows students the opportunity to “choose their media and subject matter, with my input,” said Larsen. Students, she said, come in and choose what they want to learn during their 10-week session. Some choose to learn to paint with acrylics, oils or watercolors, while others want to try their hand at (clothed) figure drawing.

“It’s very different from what the (public) schools offer,” said Larsen.

While Larsen teaches the fine arts progressive classes, which are offered every night, it is the other six artists who take on the skill-building classes, which include anime, manga, cartooning, painting and sculpture. Creative Artistry also offers classes on both digital and traditional photography, with the latter utilizing a basement darkroom.

Classes range in price from a $30-per-week oil painting workshop to the $130 fine arts progressive program.

“That way, people can afford it,” Larsen said of keeping the prices low. “I left the thing about making money so I can be around people who want to do art.”

She said anyone can learn to draw and paint.

“If you really want to do something and you have a desire, you can do it,” said Larsen. Students focus on learning the principles of their chosen art form and “then later break those rules.”

Larsen said she regularly sees adults students who haven’t drawn or painted since their school-age years and now find art to be intimidating.

“It’s really not intimidating,” countered Larsen.

She provides her students “a lot of creative freedom,” which, she said, “lets them have ownership. It keeps them motivated.” This freedom is reflected in Creative Artistry’s motto: “A place where creativity is kindled and individuality is a priority.”

Larsen encourages her students to display their completed art in local shows each year.

“I want to acknowledge it and get it out there,” said Larsen.

For more information on classes at Creative Artistry, visit www.creativeartistryschool.com or call Larsen at (815) 404-6520.