Creating Characters, Worlds & Stories Through Art with Local Artist Mae Wolf
Hosted by local artist and Art Therapy Student Amanda Wolf (Mae Wolf), this unique immersion will guide students on a journey into the kingdoms of their own imagination and personal mythology. Over seven full days, a group of 12 children will create art pieces around themes of storytelling, adventure, personal strengths and resilience.
Through drawing, painting, puppet-making, stamp making and storybook creation, they will bring this inner world to life. They will create a guardian character, a symbol that's truly theirs, and an imagined world that reflects who they are at their core.
The guided arc of craft projects will take them on a unique adventure to both discover and express their unique creative essence - all while relating with their peers in a meaningful way. They will be held in a safe and joyful container — taught by a professional artist with over 10 years of experience and a teaching style built on technical skill-building and relational, emotionally attuned creative exploration.
Across the seven days, students move through a guided arc from self discovery to self expression.
Group reflections, movement/embodiment breaks, and collaborative activities and art games will be woven through out.
day 1: Entering the Inner Kingdom
All stories begin in a setting - a landscape. For the MythMakers, that setting is their own internal worlds. Students will begin by creating an immersive mixed-media landscape that will be the setting for their personal mythology. Through collage, drawing, painting, and sculptural elements, they will build an imagined world filled with meaningful places, symbols, and stories unique to them.
day 2-3: Designing Mythic Companions
Students are guided to imagine their internal guides, allies, creatures, protectors, or guardians. These mythic companions are inspired by qualities they admire, challenges they are navigating, and strengths they are discovering within themselves. Through drawing and painting, they will introduce these symbolic allies to themselves and one another.
day 3-4: Puppet Creation
It’s time to bring our mythic companions to life. Students will transform one of their original characters into a three-dimensional puppet using fabric, paint, found materials, and mixed-media construction techniques. As their characters take form, students will explore storytelling, imagination, and collaborative play.
day 4-5: Symbol Design & PrintMaking
Students will create a personal crest, a symbol that represents something meaningful about who they are. Using beginner-friendly printmaking techniques, they will transform their symbols into custom stamps and create a series of printed artworks that can be shared, traded, and incorporated into their story worlds.
day 5-6: Storybook Creation
Using the worlds, characters, and symbols they have developed throughout the week, students will create an illustrated storybook that weaves their creations into a unique narrative. Through writing, drawing, and design, they will become both artist and storyteller. By the end of camp, they will still have plenty of blank pages left in their storybooks. This book is more of a take home assignment for them to add to as they learn and grow.
day 7: MythMakers Gallery
On the final day, students will curate a mini exhibition featuring their world maps, prints, storybooks, and puppets. Family and friends will be invited to celebrate the creativity, courage, and imagination that emerged throughout the week. Snacks will be provided, and the students will put on a puppet show.
At the end of the week, each student leaves with a Inner World Sculpture, A Handmade Puppet, A Personal Symbolic Stamp, a Keepsake Sketchbook, and an experience of what it feels like to fully commit to a creative process from beginning to end.
Children learn not only through self-expression, but through witnessing and being witnessed by others. Throughout the week, participants will engage in collaborative activities, group reflections, storytelling, and creative play that foster connection, empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
In a supportive and emotionally attuned environment, the group becomes a container for creativity, courage, and authentic connection— allowing children to develop meaningful relationships with both themselves and their peers.
Hi, I'm Amanda — you may know me from my art name, Mae Wolf.
I've been a professional artist for over 10 years, with experience in painting, murals, illustration, and community-based art projects. I'm currently an Art Therapy and Marriage & Family Therapy graduate student at Dominican University. I have dedicated my life towards using creativity to support emotional growth, self-discovery, and healing.
My teaching style blends real technical skill-building with relational, emotionally aware exploration. I love helping young people render visions from their imagination into reality. I'm equally passionate about using art as a tool for self-understanding, confidence, and joy.
Please note: while I am a current Art Therapy student, I am not a licensed Art Therapist, and this workshop is an educational/enrichment experience — not art therapy or clinical treatment.
Instruction From a
PROFESSIONAL ARTIST of 10+ YEARS
My various professional experiences in leadership positions have given me the ability to confidently lead people of all ages through art processes that are developmentally appropriate.
I have experience working and volunteering with children, leading groups, curating art galleries, public speaking, managing teams and doing arts based education.
In addition, I am currently learning about how art interplays with developmental psychology in my Art Therapy Graduate program. Please note that I am not yet a licensed Art Therapist, as I am a current student.
lead instructor on community youth mural
ENGLEWOOD, CO, 2022
Project Description: Led a group of 20 middle and high school students in a large scale mural installation as a part of the Museum of Outdoor Arts in Englewood, CO.
Worked with students to bring their unique visions to life, foster collaboration, and build technical mural skills. Met with students on a weekly basis for 2 months leading up to final mural installation.
Age Range: Middle-High Schoolers
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This program is designed for ages 8-13. If your child is outside of this range, and you think they would be a great fit anyways, reach out below and we can discuss it.
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Camp goes from July 27th-August 5th, 2026 (excluding Saturday & Sunday).
We will meet from 10 AM - 3 PM.
If a different timeslot on those days works better for you, I am open to hearing your feedback.
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Not at all. This workshop is designed for all skill levels, from total beginners to kids who already love to create.
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I've been a professional artist for over 10 years, with experience in painting, murals, illustration, and community-based art projects. I have run an art gallery, taught workshops, led community youth murals, and volunteered with youth. I'm currently an Art Therapy and Marriage & Family Therapy graduate student at Dominican University.
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I go by Amanda, though my online art name is Mae Wolf! You are welcome to call me either.
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A lunch, a water bottle, and a willingness to get a little messy! All art materials are included in tuition.
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Yes! Please visit maewolf.com/teaching to view my other art lesson offerings.
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No. While my approach is informed by my current Art Therapy training, this workshop is educational and enrichment-based, not clinical art therapy or mental health treatment.
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Location details will be shared upon registration.
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Student safety is a top priority. Parents will complete emergency contact and medical information forms before the program begins. Clear check-in and check-out procedures are used, and all activities are age-appropriate and supervised.
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Tuition is $695 for one child, or $1,280 for two children (15% discount on the second child)
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Yes. I will be offering 2 seats in this class at a discounted rate. Please indicate a desire to apply for a scholarship position in your application!
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Simply reach out through the contact form below to apply for the program.
You can get the ball rolling by signing up below. If you aren’t ready to sign up, feel free to click here to schedule a complimentary discovery call with me. After that, I will follow up with you to schedule a consult to answer any questions you may have!
You can get in touch with me with any questions below. If you’d rather hop on a phone call, click here to schedule one!
