A great new business has set up shop in Villa Park. The Children’s Art Studio opened recently at 217 S. Villa Ave. and is a great addition to the Villa Avenue business district.
Owner Carly Huegelmann, a Villa Park resident, said the location is perfect.

“I love the downtown area. It’s a charming street, and I wanted to add to that effect. Also, in doing research, I found that nothing in this area or the surrounding area offered anything similar. I know the community and really felt they would be excited about a children’s art studio.”

Community response, she said, has been great and very promising. The Children’s Art Studio was created for children to give them a special and unique place for their creativity in an inspirational environment.

“Here, parents get to enjoy creating with their child outside of the home. They don’t have to worry about interruptions or the relentless cleanup,” she said.

Huegelmann operates the studio along with her friend, Heather Nazlian, who acts as the studio’s creative director and teacher.

“She’s really helped me get the studio on its feet. She’s an amazing teacher and person,” Huegelmann said.

The studio is bright and colorful and provides an inviting environment in which children can explore art. Classes are geared for specific age groups, and Huegelmann said she is not putting a cap on the age of children who can participate.

Younger children will learn about shapes and colors, and older kids will be exposed to media such as watercolor and three-dimensional art. All age levels will be taught about various artists and art history, which will help them decide what styles of art they like most. In addition to the open studio time and classes, Huegelmann is planning to offer workshops.

Huegelmann offers open-studio time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays. Kids can drop in and stay for an hour or two at a cost of $7 per hour. Classes are offered once a week and cost from $65 to $85 for a six-week session.

During open-studio time, kids have the opportunity to create with a wide range of materials, including using one of four easels, a chalkboard wall and a really neat magnetic wall. Dry and wet sensory tables are also available. The wet table is filled with water or goop, which is very popular, and the dry table is filled with sand or another material.

“We offer opportunities for all ages. I’ve geared the studio to be age appropriate and for all skill levels,” Huegelmann said “The kids are really enjoying their time here. The older kids are having a great time with this stuff.

“They come in, grab an apron and get to work. I give a little direction but then let the kids just take it on as they want. There are no mistakes here.”

Huegelmann says the sky’s the limit as for her potential.

“I see special-needs night, dual language art classes, pottery classes and more. I want to give back to charitable organizations locally and globally through silent auctions and community fundraisers. Service is very important to me personally and professionally.”

The studio features a gallery wall that showcases art done by the kids at the studio. The wall changes weekly, so get the kids in and see if they make it onto the wall.

Looking for a unique destination for your groups’ next field trip? This is the place. Call to ask about scheduling time.

The Children’s Art Studio also will host children’s birthday parties and will supply the place settings, a story-art or music-art project, pizza and pop, cupcakes and one to two art teachers to assist. The cost for a two-hour party is $20 per child with 10 children minimum.

“I am so excited to be a part of the community. The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce has been so supportive in getting the word out. The families and other businesses have also been incredibly supportive,” Huegelmann said.

Call the studio at (630) 833-5020. You also can visit the Web site, www.villaparkart.com.