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The Illusion Academy, LLC

Reprinted from the Messenger-Enterprise June, 2002

Illusion Academy Opens in Mt. Pleasant; Founders Hope to Involve Community
by Cathi Call

"When Dean Kleven was a little boy, he made the most intricate treehouse you have ever seen." That's what his mother will tell you when you ask her about her creative son. Kleven has brought his creative juices to Sanpete and he and his partners Bo Landsem, Keith Averett, Jason Quinn and Bryan Spencer are opening a truly unique business called The Illusion Academy.

The partners have purchased the old industrial arts building from Mt. Pleasant's old high school and are turning the 10,000-square-foot building into a structure where dreams come true.

The new business will house a high tech center where digital imaging, illustrations, animations, 3-D graphics and wireless Internet services can be created.

"We will be doing some computer generated illustrations like those used in movies like Disney's Toy Story. It is our goal to start with special effects and make some movie shorts. Our five year goal is to make a full-length feature movie," says Kleven. "We are also discussing the possibility of putting in a blue screen where we can do special effects and maybe some live action shots."

In addition to the high tech center, they will be opening a high speed, indoor/outdoor "Internet Cafe" and maybe a small gym out back. Eventually, they would like to purchase the property located on front of the academy to construct a community park that will feature cartoon-like characters and a shallow water pool that could be used as a skating pond in the winter.

Kleven attributes his success to the support of his parents, Donald and Shirley Kleven, and to his wife, Kris. "They have always believed in my talents and supported my dreams." he says.

A freelance illustrator, Kleven has worked for such places as DreamWorks and Disney doing computer illustrations. "Our goal is to be a community-based business. We want to teach the community about the things that we will be doing inside the building every day," he noted.

Kleven and Landsem plan on teaching free courses two nights a week on computer illustration, web design and the Internet.

The partners have come from many places to create the Academy. Kleven, the driving force, has worked 10 years to build up a self employed status. He wanted to get the contacts and the skills so that he could go anywhere he wanted to raise his four children. When his parents moved to Mt. Pleasant, he decided he liked the place and wanted to live here.

Bo and his wife, Kristy, have four children.

Kleven met Bryan in California, and he will soon be moving with his wife, Cheryl, and their four children.

Jason and his wife, Kate, have three children.

Keith, is the only bachelor of the bunch.

"We hope to be doing business in four to six weeks; the cafe will open two or three months later," said Kleven. "All our plans are very community-based. We know a lot of people who like it here, but have trouble making it and end up commuting or having to leave. We want to see if we can find local talent and utilize it."