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.
Tag: Art
Meet Polly Greathouse
Polly Greathouse is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the vitality and interconnectedness of the natural world.
Trained in painting, drawing, and photography at the University of Illinois, she began her career in animation and interface design, helping pioneer early mobile user interfaces before returning to fine art. Her paintings in oil on paper, inks, multimedia, and water media combine fluid, watercolor-like transparencies with bold, gestural strokes and layered impasto.
Polly also integrates photography and digital tools into her practice, expanding her painterly vocabulary. Influenced by Sumi-e techniques and abstract expressionism, her compositions evoke ecosystems in motion—shaped by shifting light, weather, and seasonal cycles. Rather than a single focal point, her work offers immersive landscapes that mirror the experience of being in nature, where everything is alive and interconnected.
See Polly’s art on display at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods January 3 – 31, 2026.
Aerie Lounge, Fenway Victory Gardens, by Polly Greathouse Media: Oil on paper
Polly’s Artist Statement
“I paint natural environments from various regions, but most often observe, honor, and celebrate the landscapes of Illinois where I live and work. My art reflects the expressive, ever-changing motions of ecosystems. A consistent element in my work is the absence of a single focal point—much like the experience of being in nature, where wind, sunlight, water, and terrain shift dynamically. I aim to capture fleeting impressions: the posture of a plant, the motion of a bird, the awesome presence of wind or light. These glimpses seed a memory of the moment—one I’m grateful to witness, breathe in, and translate through artistic impressions.”
Image: Twelve Pots, Fenway Victory Gardens, by Polly Greathouse Media: Oil on paper
Artist of the Month Events
January 31 10:00 am – 3:00 pm | Free Open Art Workshop with Polly Greathouse
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 who just wants to try something out in a low pressure environment, or the family looking for a fun kids’ activity to fill their afternoon – this workshop is for you!
Image: Red-wing blackbirds, Independence Grove by Polly Greathouse Media: Charcoal sketch
The Brushwood Top 10: 2025
By Catherine Game
2025 was a big year for Brushwood Center!
Looking back, it’s hard to narrow down our most significant moments, as there are so many thanks to the Brushwood team, our community, and our supporters. The Brushwood Top 10 is an annual tradition that we are always happy to share, so the whole staff came together to choose the following incredible moments of 2025.
Thanks to our supporters for making these moments at Brushwood possible. We can’t wait to make more moments of impact with you in 2026!
1. Celestial Forest Bathing
Abbey Castro, Communications Coordinator
Brushwood partnered with Reciprocal Forest Bathing to provide free opportunities throughout the year for the community to mindfully connect with nature, in English and Spanish.
Jess Rodriguez, Coalition Building Manager and Forest Therapy Guide, leads a Forest Bathing session.
2. Celebrating the 42nd Annual Smith Nature Symposium Youth EnvironmentalLeadership Awardees
Ashley Cullen-Williams, Senior Program Director
This year, we were thrilled to honor Robin Wall Kimmerer at the Smith Nature Symposium Awards. We celebrated the work of future environmental justice leaders, Ja’Harmony Johnson and Victor Hinojosa, two exemplary young leaders.
Youth Environmental Leadership Awardees Victor and Ja’Harmony with Robin Wall Kimmerer at Chicago Botanic Garden
3. The Community Leadership Roundtable: In the Field
Angela Ramirez, Administrative Coordinator
This year, the Community Leadership Roundtable took a new form: Environmental Justice and Healing bus tours to some of the most relevant sites in Waukegan. Watch the short film by Videographer-in-Residence, Kateryna Sazonova.
The morning bus tour group of Brushwood partners, Board members, and participants at Yeomen Creek Landfill.
4. The At Ease in Nature Exhibition
Jes Klinge, Veteran Programs Specialist
The November art exhibition, At Ease in Nature featured artwork created during our 2025At Ease programs, as well as work inspired by experiences in nature from members of the Military Community. This year’s exhibition highlighted the diversity that can be found in nature and in the armed forces, making each stronger than they would be without it.
Dante Plata, Army Veteran, with his photography pieces at the At Ease in Nature opening.
5. Expansion of the TIERRA Program
Jess Rodriguez, Building Coalition Manager
TIERRA (Transforming Internal Experiences for Resilience and Restoration through Acceptance) is a first-of-its-kind, nature-based mental health intervention. This year, it expanded beyond its pilot phase to new organizations in Lake County, and 17 new Community Health Workers were certified in the program.
The Accelerator team celebrating with the certified promotoras group.
6. Before Dreams Are The Last Place We Find You: Lydia Cheshewalla
Julia Kemerer, Director of Arts and Administration
Brushwood welcomed Osage ephemeral artist Lydia Cheshewalla for a solo exhibition of the work created during her residency at the Center for Humans & Nature.
Lydia Cheshewalla gives an artist talk on her collaborative process with nature during the exhibition opening.
7. The Hunter Family Foundation gift to name The Maxine M. Hunter Performance Plaza
Mirja Spooner Haffner, Director of Development
In April, Brushwood received a transformative gift of $2.5 million from the Hunter Family Foundation to create The Maxine M. Hunter Performance Plaza, in support of Brushwood Center’s comprehensive campaign to expand programs and renovate our building at Ryerson Woods,Activate: A Campaign for Investment in Community.
Rendering of the future Maxine M. Hunter Performance Plaza by Serena Sturm Architects.
8. The Release of Flourish
Parker Nelson, Director of Public Programs and Music
This fall, Ensemble-in-Residence Black Moon Trio released a new album with Brushwood called Flourish, featuring our 2025 Smith Nature Symposium Honoree, Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Parker Nelson with Trisha Steele from Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation receiving a copy of the Flourish album.
9. Supporting Youth and Families withNEST Packs
Eddie Flores, Youth Education Coordinator
Created in response to families’ fear of going outside due to ICE activity, Brushwood’s NEST Packs are designed to nurture connection, curiosity, and community by providing families with Nature Exploring Safety Tools backpacks that make outdoor exploration both accessible and affirming.
Staff members Abbey Castro, Jes Klinge, Eddie Flores, and Ashley Cullen – Williams pack NEST packs at Brushwood.
10. Growing the Team
Catherine Game, Executive Director
Brushwood Center welcomed Ashley Cullen-Williams as our new Senior Program Director this summer. Ashley is a passionate and licensed mental health advocate and social-emotional learning expert, and has already had transformative impact in her new role at Brushwood. Learn more about Ashley’s story through her video.
Ashley Cullen-Williams confers with the Community Programs Team
And I have a bonus top moment, as I grew the “team” in an additional way. My family and I welcomed baby Emerald, born on Earth Day of this year!
Emerald has already enjoyed touring Brushwood exhibitions and perusing the Nature-Inspired Holiday Market, and she can’t wait for ¡Hola! Wiggleworms!
Join us for a fun and relaxing acrylic paint event led by Veteran artists. This event promises to be both educational and therapeutic. Take home your own hand-painted masterpiece!
All skill levels welcomed.
Non-alcoholic drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase with the American Legion Cicero Post 96. Small snack items will be available for free.
Brought to you by Brushwood Center’s At Ease Program, Veteran Art Tribe, and the American Legion Cicero Post #96!
Join us for a fun and relaxing acrylic paint event led by Veteran artists. This event promises to be both educational and therapeutic. Take home your own hand-painted masterpiece!
All skill levels welcomed.
Non-alcoholic drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase with the American Legion Cicero Post 96. Small snack items will be available for free.
Brought to you by Brushwood Center’s At Ease Program, Veteran Art Tribe, and the American Legion Cicero Post #96!
The Midwest Haiku Traveling Rock Garden is a growing literary exhibit that celebrates English-language haiku. Each year’s exhibit has a theme and can be placed on display in a variety of venues throughout the Midwest. The exhibit is curated by poet Matthew Markworth.
The Midwest-Themed 2025 Exhibit brings together 32 poems by 32 poets, with images and experiences rooted in the Midwest. Every poet in the exhibit either calls the Midwest home today or has previously lived in the region.
Beginning in September of 2015 artist Lincoln Schatz began taking lake pictures. Dedicating a month to photographing the lake each day in morning or evening. These daily trips to photograph the lake continued past that first month.
One month became two, two became three, and the project has continued ever since. Those first lake photos are now the foundations of the Lake Series, a serial exploration of the landscape of Lake Michigan through photography.
Since 2015, Schatz has carefully studied this landscape. With his back to the city of Chicago, he stands on the lake’s shore and photographs Lake Michigan with a medium-format camera, capturing the waters as they stretch toward the horizon.
Beginning in September of 2015 artist Lincoln Schatz began taking lake pictures. Dedicating a month to photographing the lake each day in morning or evening. These daily trips to photograph the lake continued past that first month.
One month became two, two became three, and the project has continued ever since. Those first lake photos are now the foundations of the Lake Series, a serial exploration of the landscape of Lake Michigan through photography.
Since 2015, Schatz has carefully studied this landscape. With his back to the city of Chicago, he stands on the lake’s shore and photographs Lake Michigan with a medium-format camera, capturing the waters as they stretch toward the horizon.
Art and Nature programming for the fastest-growing Veteran Demographic
Finding Her Voice: Brushwood’s Programs for Women Veterans
By Megan Donahue, with Angela Walker
Angela Walker knows Brushwood’s At Ease program like the back of her hand—Brushwood Center is not just a place for her, it’s her passion. But even leaders like Angela can be caught off guard, and that’s exactly what happened during a Nature, Art, and Wellness Day for Women Veterans.
These special events at Brushwood are a chance for women Veterans and their families to relax, recharge, and enjoy the serene beauty of Ryerson Woods. The day is packed with calming activities like yoga, forest bathing, and creative art workshops. But when Angela sat down for a writing exercise that day, she wasn’t thrilled.
“Write about my feelings? Nope,” Angela said. “We can paint, we can do yoga, we can even sing—but write about what happened in the military? Hard pass.”
She planned just to sit there quietly and let the others write. But something shifted.
“I ended up writing so much, I shocked myself!” Angela said. “It was like my voice came pouring out— I didn’t even know I had so much to say that was bottled up inside me. All it took was the right question and the right space. I started writing, and I didn’t want to stop. I’m still writing today!”
The Fastest-Growing Veteran Demographic
Women Veterans are the fastest-growing group of Veterans. Between the 2020 and 2023 fiscal years, the percentage of women Veterans increased from 6.3% to 11.3%. There are 2.1 million women Veterans in the United States.
Jes Klinge, an Army Reservist and Brushwood’s Veteran Programs Specialist, joined the military at the age of 17. With over two decades of service, she brings a depth of knowledge about military culture to her work at Brushwood. Since her arrival to Brushwood in 2020, the At Ease initiative has expanded significantly, especially offerings for women Veterans.
Jes is quick to avoid painting with a broad brush. “I think Veterans are like everybody else. Everybody really needs different ways to cope with mental health,” she says. Still, she notes, women Veterans do often have some things in common.
Feeling overlooked in the Veterans space is common, as is dealing with Military Sexual Trauma (MST). “Military Sexual Trauma is a really big problem in the women Veterans space,” Jes says. “I feel like a lot of these issues aren’t really talked about as much.”
U.S. Army Veteran and artist Ramona Pozek agrees. “I think that whenever people are coming up with programs, or if they want to do something for Veterans, they’re always thinking about the guys,” she says. She recalls people in the past assuming her male partner was the Veteran in the relationship, when she’s the one who served, and receiving care packages that were clearly intended for male service members.
“We love our country, and we are really proud of serving. We’re not looking for a whole lot. [But] if you’ve got something for the guys, then have something for us, too,” she says.
Research demonstrates that women Veterans face unique challenges throughout their service, and especially upon transitioning from the military into civilian life. The Military Times reported in 2019 that women Veterans report difficulties with feeling invisible when leaving the service, and face a lack of peer support, feeling unaccepted by civilian women, and struggling to find supportive peer groups.
The Wounded Warrior Project has found that women warriors experience MST, anxiety, and depression at higher rates than male warriors. 80% of women warriors scored as lonely based on the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale. 61% of women warriors experienced symptoms of anxiety.
These unique challenges have led At Ease to develop specific programs for women Veterans. Each month, women Veterans meet online for a watercolor painting class, and an art social hour, an opportunity to work independently on art projects and build camaraderie with other women Veterans. Nature, Art, and Wellness Days are becoming a highlight for this growing Brushwood community.
Dedicated women’s programming lines up with anecdotal findings from the Wounded Warrior Project, which found that outcomes were more successful and women Veterans felt more supported when they were able to connect with advocates or organizations.
That’s certainly been Angela’s experience.
From Darkness to Creativity
Angela’s journey with Brushwood began at a tough time in her life. She had been discharged from the Navy due to medical reasons, leaving behind her dream of a long military career. Health challenges, along with depression and PTSD, made life feel heavy.
To make matters worse, Angela, a professional singer, lost her voice for a time due to her health issues.“Losing my ability to sing was devastating. Singing had always been my outlet, and I didn’t know if I’d ever get it back.”
When her voice returned, Angela eventually began volunteering, singing to patients at the VA hospital and taking part in an art therapy program. Her involvement led her to Brushwood, where she performed at a 2015 awards dinner honoring Robert and Sibylle Szaggars Redford. From that moment, she was “hooked on Brushwood.”
“What pulled me out of that dark space was my faith in God and Brushwood,” Angela said. “The people at Brushwood cared about me. They cared about Veterans. And they invited me to use my voice to help figure out how to support others like me.”
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 art activities to engage with the themes of the chosen book, led by Brushwood’s Poet-in-Residence Kathryn Haydon, and writer-artist Megan Donahue.
Our January book will be Bird Cottage by Eva Meijer.
Bird Cottage is a novel based on the true story of a remarkable woman, her lifelong relationship with birds and the joy she drew from it.
Len Howard was forty years old when she decided to leave her London life and loves behind, retire to the English countryside and devote the rest of her days to her one true passion: birds.
Moving to a small cottage in Sussex, she wrote two bestselling books, astonishing the world with her observations on the tits, robins, sparrows and other birds that lived nearby, flew freely in and out of her windows, and would even perch on her shoulder as she typed.
This moving novel imagines the story of this remarkable woman’s decision to defy society’s expectations, and the joy she drew from her extraordinary relationship with the natural world.
Join Brushwood’s poet-in-residence Kathryn Haydon and fellow haiku poet David Green for a midwinter poetic stroll along woodland paths near the Des Plaines river. As we walk, we will quietly gather observations and inspiration from the nature around us, jotting thoughts and haiku in our notebooks. When it’s time to warm up, we will gather at Brushwood Center to write more haiku, share, converse, and eat.
Please dress for the weather and bring a snack or a dish to share.
While this event will not include instruction on writing haiku, all skill and interest levels are welcome. It will be easy for the novice to join in, as haiku writing begins simply with observations of nature. Experienced haiku poets and learning resources will be on hand for self study, and mentors will be available for those who want to learn more.
