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Mundelein art studio offers full palette of options
Dawn Drury (left) of Mundelein, owner of Just Your Art Creativity Center in Mundelein, works with Sarath Kilaru of Streamwood on a pencil drawing during a private lesson on Thursday, June 28, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
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NAME: Just Your Art Creativity Center
SPECIALTY: Art center which hosts painting parties, group and private lessons and children’s art camps
ADDRESS: 446 N. Lake Street, Mundelein
HOURS: By appointment
CONTACT: (847) 566-0884, www.justyourart.com
Article Extras
Updated: August 6, 2012 6:27AM
MUNDELEIN -- Just Your Art Creativity Center is not your typical art studio.
The art center at 446 N. Lake Street (Route 45) in Mundelein offers private art lessons as well as group painting sessions, painting parties, children’s art camps and open art sessions.
Owner Dawn Drury of Mundelein started the business in late 2010. Drury was a former medical illustrator for many years for different companies and has also done photo restoration for about 20 years. She previously taught a medical art class at the College of Lake County in Grayslake.
Drury said she has done private art instruction for many years, but she decided to open the new art center because she wanted to offer instruction to a larger audience.
“I did a lot of private art classes, and it just seemed like there were groups of people who wanted to do art together,” she said. “A lot of people are interested in art, but they don’t want to pay for private art classes.”
The art center offers Bring Your Own Beverage parties on evenings during the week, where groups of bring a beverage and snack and paint in a relaxed environment.
“They all get to take their paintings home when their done,” she said. “They love it.”
Having specialized in medical art, Drury uses a scientific approach to painting, giving students the problem-solving skills they need to complete a project.
‘Simple steps’
“I try to make it very simple to paint a painting,” he said. “I break it down to simple steps.”
“We sketch on canvas and then start painting over it. I teach color mixes, where things go, how to add shadows and highlights,” said Drury. “I’m constantly walking around and giving informal instruction. I let them do their own painting but I give them suggestions, which they usually follow.”
Drury also offers group painting sessions for corporate groups, birthday parties and other events. “We do a lot of birthday parties, especially for kids,” she said.
Drury also offers summer art camps for kids, She also does on-site visits to teach art at Montessori schools, senior centers and corporations.
For individuals who want more one-on-one instruction, private art instruction is available.
Sarath Kilaru of Streamwood, who works in Libertyville, visits the art center for an hour each week for private instruction from Drury.
Kilaru noticed the art center when driving to work on Route 45 one day more than a year ago. He stopped in for a lesson and has been coming back ever since.
“I was a beginner when I started,” he said. “I had zero knowledge or experience drawing. Now I can draw portraits.”
Kilaru said Drury is extremely patient and explains the different elements that make up a portrait.
Drury said she tries to offer instruction to meet individual needs.
“The people that take private art classes want to expand their art knowledge,” she said. “The group sessions are more for people who want to experience art in a fun environment.”
