Brushwood Welcomes You!
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
Open to the public
21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015
| Monday | 10am – 3pm |
| Tuesday | 10am – 3pm |
| Wednesday | 10am – 3pm |
| Thursday | 10am – 3pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10am – 3pm |
| Sunday | 1pm – 3pm |
and by appointment
224.633.2424
Holiday Closures
Brushwood will be closed the following dates: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Easter weekend, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day (Sunday, September 1st and Monday, September 2nd), Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Eve through January 2. On rare occasions, Brushwood may be closed for private events.
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Resources
Venue Rentals
Plan your event at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, and experience the warmth and charm of the historic Ryerson estate, surrounded by beautiful nature.
Accessibility
Brushwood Center is committed to enabling the participation and enjoyment of our programming and events for all visitors.
BASE: Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
Visit Brushwood’s creative reuse center for arts and craft supplies for all your creative projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods?
Brushwood is located in Ryerson Woods at 21850 N. Riverwoods Rd, Riverwoods, IL 60015. It houses Brushwood Center’s offices, the Brushwood Center Gallery and BASE: Brushwood Art Supply Exchange.
When can I visit Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods?
Brushwood Center’s regular open hours are 10am-3pm Monday-Thursday and Saturdays, and Sundays 1-3pm* (our hours are occasionally subject to change due to special events or private rentals.) However, you can visit Ryerson Woods and hike the trails 6am-sunset everyday.
Is there free parking at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods?
Yes, Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods has a free paved parking lot.
Does Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods have trail maps of Ryerson Woods?
Lake County Forest Preserve District has stopped distributing paper maps in an effort to minimize waste. However, folks can access a virtual trail map using this link.
Does Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods have an accessible entrance?
Yes, we do. To enter the building with a wheelchair, walker, or stroller, please go around the building via the brick path on the left side of Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, and enter through the back door.
When can I drop off donations to BASE?
BASE donations are accepted during Open Hours. Read more here about BASE donations.
How do I sign up for events and programs?
Please visit our events calendar here.
Are your events and programs free or charge?
Most of Brushwood’s community initiative programming is free of charge. Our Arts & Music programming is sometimes free of charge depending on the event, but often is ticketed per performance or class.
Can I purchase art from your exhibitions?
Yes! Many of the pieces we show in our exhibitions and all items in our twice yearly Art Markets are for sale. Purchases made during a public exhibition can be picked up once the exhibition has ended, items purchased from Art Markets are available immediately.
How do I get my art in your gallery?
Brushwood hosts about six exhibitions and two art markets (May and December) per year. All of the art we show here must in some way relate to our programming, which deals with topics such as: connection with nature, mental and physical health and wellbeing, environmental justice, and sustainability. Because of this, we generally seek out artists whose work matches the programming we are planning for that time, rather than accepting proposals from artists wishing to exhibit their work. However, we do occasionally have “Open Calls” for art where we encourage anyone who would like to be part of our exhibitions to apply. To be notified of these calls, please sign up for our e-blast.
I have found wildlife that is in need of aid. Who do I contact?
This Lake County Forest Preserve District webpage walks through how to identify if an animal is truly in need of aid, and has a list of wildlife rehabilitation centers in Illinois that can be contacted in the event of a wildlife emergency.
