Wooing the Young at Art

Christina Bertenshaw, center, and friends warm up with some coloring at The Paintbrush in Lincoln Park.
Photo: Andreas Larsson

Valerie Bertenshaw enrolled her daughter, Christina, in art classes at the Paintbrush so the 4-year-old could paint, draw and glue without making a mess at home.

What Mrs. Bertenshaw didn’t expect was for Christina to start recognizing famous works like “Nude Under a Pine Tree” by Pablo Picasso, which the budding artist pointed out during a visit to the Art Institute last year.

“The fact that Christina is learning about artists and art history is icing on the cake,” Mrs. Bertenshaw, 38, says.

The Paintbrush, a children’s art studio in Lincoln Park owned by Melanie  Apel, introduces kids to famous artists, then has them do projects inspired by the artists’ styles. During a lesson on Jackson Pollack, the kids splatter paint on canvases. Inspired by American pop artist Wayne Thiebaud, they create giant ice cream sundaes out of newspaper and empty ice cream pints.

Founded in 2005, the Paintbrush is one of dozens of children’s art programs offered in Chicago and the suburbs. For entrepreneurs, who dominate the growing industry, success in this competitive market requires developing a new twist on arts and crafts.

At The Paintbrush, a boutique studio at 2446 N. Clark Street, that means combining art, history and music. The Paintbrush teaches their students about the artists’ hometowns, backgrounds and technique and play music from the artist’s era or country of origin while the kids work — an idea Melanie Apel got from seeing how much her then-15-month-old son enjoyed painting and drawing while listening to a “Baby Mozart” CD.

“My son would always say, ‘Put on the painting music’ as I pulled out the art supplies, and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to teach kids about Monet and play Mozart to inspire them?’ ” she says.

MARCH MADNESS

Although art classes have always been a staple of childhood learning, in the past five years, they have become big business in Chicago. The niche once populated exclusively by community centers and grammar schools is being filled by for-profit companies like The Paintbrush… As a result, the course offerings have become more creative.

They also host birthday parties, with a price range depending on the number of guests and add-ons like balloons, pizza, and goodie bags.

©2008 by Crain Communications Inc.

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