Wednesday, Aug. 12th, 7-8:15pm EST



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CREATIVE WITHOUT BORDERS: The Principles Behind a Career That Never Stopped Growing

Your portfolio tells the story of where you've been. Your mindset determines where you'll go next.

Every Creative Career Begins With One Decision
Some people spend an entire career mastering one creative discipline. Gentry Akens mastered the thinking behind them all. In this inspiring Eye Opener Masterclass, Gentry shares the mindset that carried him from animation to toy design, Disney, Universal Studios, Broadway, feature films, television, and beyond—not because he had a perfect plan, but because he learned to recognize opportunity, trust his creative instincts, and continually build upon the skills he already possessed. You'll discover why great design principles never stop at one medium, how every creative experience prepares you for the next, and why your greatest career opportunities may exist in worlds you've never considered.

Whether you're a recent graduate staring at an uncertain future, an experienced creative feeling boxed in, or someone ready to reimagine what's next, this "Eye Opener" will challenge the limits you've placed on yourself—and leave you seeing possibilities where you once saw walls.

Because your creativity isn't meant to fit inside one job title. It's meant to build worlds.
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Cool stuff happens in a Blanket Fort

What if you had a place where curiosity was encouraged, not questioned—where pushing your ideas was expected, supported, and taken seriously—even for just a few hours a week?

Built by someone who has navigated these same pressures, The Blanket Fort Academy is grounded in a simple belief: Hard work and joy are not mutually exclusive. In fact, when creative learning is designed with intention, joy becomes the key ingredient to keep you moving toward your potential.

You don’t need more passive videos or endless subscriptions. You need engagement, feedback, structure, and momentum. We offer live, 12-week, online courses designed to help creatives actively practice, stretch, and strengthen their craft. In the Academy, you will step away from learning in isolation, work alongside other committed creatives, and take creative risks in a low-stakes, high-support environment.

We keep our class sizes small to ensure personal attention and live feedback. Expectations are clear. The work is demanding. Support is built in. This is what learning looks like when experience at the highest level leads the way.

A Safe Place for Unlimited Creativity

  • Learn Without the Loan

    College-level creative classes, live and online — without the debt. Take just the courses you want, when you want, and build the creative career (and life) you want to live.

  • Skills You'll Actually Use

    Every class adds new skills to your toolbox and resume. From freelance gigs to passion-fueled side hustles, you’ll walk away with marketable skills that fuel your creative fire.

  • Creativity Meets Joy

    Reignite the spark that got you into this field in the first place. Expect laughter, breakthroughs, and a community that offers support and networking opportunities.

Who is The Blanket Fort for?

  • Curious beginners and career-explorers who want a strong foundation before committing to a creative path

  • Creatives who are tired of playing it safe and want to reconnect with curiosity, experimentation, and momentum

  • High level career Creatives looking to find their way back to the joy that came from judgement-free creativity (...before it was tied to a paycheck)

Q3 COURSES 2026

June 30, 2026 - September 19th, 2026

Why us? Why now?

I think we can all relate to the idea that the status quo is no longer working. As creatives, we are lifelong learners—but we don’t have the time or money for another 2–4 year program. We deserve more than sitting and watching endless tutorials. We want education that expands our skills, taught by instructors who are at the top of their game.

The Blanket Fort Academy was built from the ground up to break the mold of creative education and serve the students, not institutional overhead. Our founder is a lifelong creative who has been waiting for the opportunity to do things in a new way. This is just the beginning.

Our à la carte format lets you choose exactly what you want to explore—whether you’re rebuilding confidence, expanding your skill set, or reconnecting with the part of you that actually enjoys making things.

This is about momentum.
About curiosity.
About rebuilding trust in your own creative instincts.
This is about investing in yourself and your creative future.

Because when creatives are given space to experiment — without fear, but with structure — possibility opens up fast.

Come on in!

Join the Blanket Fort to get a bunch of cool creative stuff and first dibs on upcoming courses!

Thank You