Welcome all new and returning students!  CPS Advanced Arts Program at Gallery 37 is a magical place where students from high schools across the city come together to create in a beautiful space. We think you will soon agree.  Our accomplished teachers and teaching artists are committed to nurturing your ideas and curiosity while supporting you to express it through the creative process of art making.  It is our hope that you take full advantage of this opportunity.  I can say with confidence, that If you focus and are committed to personal growth, you will be amazed by what you can accomplish by devoting ten hours per week to your craft.  If you want to pursue performance, culinary, visual or digital art in college, our program will prepare you well for post-secondary success. Our students have been accepted to many of the top art schools across the country, and most attribute their success to AAP. We understand that coming downtown every day is a big commitment. To be successful you must “show up” and by this, I mean not just physically show up, but show up in mind, heart and soul – be present!  Here’s to an amazing year!  We are here for you!

It's the end of May and the much needed sun has returned to Chicago, banishing the rain clouds that have plagued our dear city the week before.  It's hard to believe we are so close to summer, and wrapping up another successful year in Advanced Arts.  Our students have been busy this spring, and our 3D Modeling/Digital Design class has been especially busy this month. 

In other 3D Modeling/Digital Design news, the class instructor, Emily Steffen was nominated as a High School Innovator by Columbia College Chicago. She attended an innovative educators conference at Columbia during their Manifest Show.  Educators from as far away as Mexico City attended and spoke extensively about the individual challenges they face as educators.  They were also given exclusive VIP access to the Manifest show, and to behind the scenes workings.  Emily was especially happy to see the finished work of graduating Senior, Angel Blanco.  Angel came in February to speak to her class about going into gaming as a major in college, and the different career paths available to one if they choose that path.  Angel also shared his final project in progress with the class, a game about a Big Foot who must disguise himself as a human to escape a campground.  Seeing how far the project came from start to finish was truly a treat for our 3D Modeling/Digital Design students. 

Congratulations to the 3D Modeling/Digital Design class and their instructor on a fantastic spring full of exhibits and innovation.  We can't wait to see what you have in store for next year!

With our Spring Showcase quickly approaching it's fun to check in with the work our students' are preparing for the show!  Our Digital Design and 3D Modeling class is working on completing a group project before the deadline hits.  Have you ever heard of an Exquisite Corpse?

The students of the Digital Design class had no previous experience with the Exquisite Corpse so before they got into animating one together, their teacher Ms. Emily Steffen decided they should break into groups and do a traditional Exquisite Corpse drawing in groups of 3.  The results turned out AMAZING and can be seen below!

National August Wilson Monologue Competition - League of Chicago Theaters

Fourteen students from our ensemble competed at the prestigious National August Wilson Monologue competition open to Chicago high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Five of them made it through to the semifinals: Anaiyah Agee, Tandria Hawkins, Janese Sheppard, Tyrianna Ross, and Sydney Jackson.  Three were finalists:  Anaiyah Agee, Janese Sheppard, and Sydney Jackson.