Marwen

Alstair Del Rosario works on a commissioned mural in Marwen’s summer internship program.

Photo: Marwen Staff

"Marwen offers a secure environment in which students can explore their identities and express themselves without inhibition," says Antonia Contro, executive director for Marwen. Established in 1987, Marwen provides high-quality visual arts education, college planning, and career development—all free of charge—to Chicago's underserved youth in grades 6-12.

The students who participate in Marwen's after-school, weekend, and summer programs are a diverse group of creative, motivated, and focused youth. Program participants exhibit a level of seriousness and professionalism that is acquired through the rigorous, high-quality arts instruction available at Marwen. In alignment with the Chicago public school calendar, Marwen's Studio Program offers four terms of visual arts courses in drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, photography, graphic design, animation, videography, and much more. Last year alone, Marwen offered 53 courses, all designed and implemented by professional artist-teachers, aided by alumni teaching assistants.

Advanced students are directed to Marwen's College Planning and Career Development Programs to investigate and define higher education and career goals. Together, the programs offer a host of focused initiatives, including college and career planning courses, a two-week intensive portfolio preparation course, a six-week summer internship program, topic-specific workshops, and individualized career and college counseling. Marwen also offers two continental travel experiences, Artward Bound: NYC and Artward Bound: Maine. These week-long, experiential study trips enable students to create art; visit cultural institutions and colleges; and, for most, travel outside of Chicago for the first time.

With an exhibition space dedicated solely to the artwork of students, Marwen celebrates the work of its program participants year-round. At the end of each Studio Program term, every student chooses one piece of work that represents his or her best effort for display. Exhibition openings offer students the opportunity to share their experiences with teachers, friends, and families. The artwork on display is symbolic of students' multiple achievements: increased self-expression, confidence, and esteem; an appreciation of and respect for others' ideas and opinions; and the ability to plan for the future and implement the necessary steps to achieve personal and professional goals.