Located among pristine woodlands in the Ryerson historic home in Riverwoods, Il., Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods promotes the importance of nature for nurturing personal and community wellbeing, cultivating creativity, and inspiring learning.
BASE: Create & Sip - Painted Umbrellas Create & Sip is a monthly workshop hosted at Brushwood Center where participants can explore fun projects using supplies and tools from the Brushwood Art Supply Exchange, BASE. It’s an opportunity to get creative, try something new, and enjoy the company of fellow art enthusiasts in a relaxed […]
Water(color) for the Soul: Sounds of the Prairie (Visit 4) Returning in 2026, Black Moon Trio once again invites Veterans and their family members to create and perform their own original musical compositions in Water(color) for the Soul: Sounds of the Prairie. Grounded in the ecology and literary traditions of the prairie, this program explores how […]
Radical Hope in the Woods Radical Hope in the Woods is a restorative, community-centered experience designed to reconnect the Black community to the land, to one another, and to the wisdom carried in our bodies and stories. Held on the sacred grounds of Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, this gathering invites participants to slow down, […]
Combat Poetry: Poetry Workshop for Military Service Members & Veterans This poetry workshop is an informal environment combined with a bit of formal instruction. We will write. We will learn. Most of all, we will have fun. We will be led by poet Douglas Self, a United State Marine Corps, Army Reserve, and Iraq War […]
Art Impact Project Art Impact Project facilitates supportive art projects designed to provide participants a different way to express themselves through art-making. With a focus on emotional wellness through creative expression, Art Impact Project's small-group environment gives participants the chance to […]
Watercolor Painting for Women Veterans and Families Develop your unique artistic expression through watercolor painting. We will delight in the colorful, transformative nature of the watercolor while also sharing factual […]
Water(color) for the Soul: Sounds of the Prairie (Visit 5) Returning in 2026, Black Moon Trio once again invites Veterans and their family members to create and perform their own […]
Nature Book Club: April The Brushwood Nature Book Club is a space to talk about and explore nature literature in a friendly environment. Each meeting includes discussion, creative writing, and/or […]
You Choose the Project · Use Tools and Supplies From BASE · Get Help When You Need It Open Art Workshop is open to anyone who wants to make something in any area of visual arts and crafts, from the experienced artist looking for a community of others to work with, to the complete novice […]
Environmental Film Series by Kateryna Sazonova Join us for a compelling afternoon of film and conversation with Ukrainian filmmaker, environmentalist, and Brushwood Center Videographer-in-Residence, Kateryna Sazonova. This program features a […]
Water(color) for the Soul: Sounds of the Prairie (Visit 6) Returning in 2026, Black Moon Trio once again invites Veterans and their family members to create and perform their own […]
bouquet with rogue wave dance rogue wave is a New York-based dance company led by Catherine Messina that presents work at the intersection of psychology and movement, often with a […]
