Sponsor the 42nd Annual Smith Nature Symposium!

November 19 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – Experimental Mixed-Media Paintings with Katherine Lampert

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 and welcoming atmosphere.

This month’s class will be led by November’s Artist of the Month, Katherine Lampert, who will teach us to make Experimental Mixed-Media Paintings. Join us for this fun workshop designed for all experience levels. Together we will create mixed media paintings inspired by patterns in nature in a fun and supportive environment. We will use a variety of experimental techniques, tools and methods for creating interesting textures and visual interest. Try out a variety of water-based materials, handmade stamps and stencils, and learn to apply paint with inventive and unexpected tools. Demonstrations as well as time to create your own unique artwork will be provided. You can also see Katherine’s work displayed in the Brushwood Center Gallery from October 25 – November 29.

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

About the Artist:

Katherine Lampert’s multi-layered paintings begin with a study of pattern in nature, such as the rhythmic elements of landscape or the lace-like remnants of a fossilized sea creature. These images serve as inspiration and a point of departure for her semi-abstract works. Lampert received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from Northwestern University. She has exhibited internationally, with a recent solo show at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago. She has been a Community Artist in Residence at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, an Artist In Residence at the Cooper Union, and received two fellowships from the Vermont Studio Center. Lampert is also the recipient of a Full University Fellowship and a Teaching Fellowship from the Graduate School at Northwestern University, a City of Chicago Community Arts Assistance Program Grant, and a pARTners of Jackson Hole Grant. Her work has been featured in a number of publications, including the Chicago Tribune, Hyperallergic, and Michigan Avenue Magazine, among others. Lampert lives and works in Chicago, IL.

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by November 17. BYOB. 

October 15 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – Portrait of a New Friend with alexandra ok

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 and welcoming atmosphere.

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind art experience? Join Artist of the Month alexandra ok for a blind contour drawing class, where you just might make a new friend. Participants will be paired up to interview and create portraits of each other. The drawings will become colored by the words exchanged and the experience of blind contour. Alexandra will guide the discussion and the creation of these new works of art. You can also see alexandra’s work displayed in the Brushwood Center Gallery from September 27 – October 25.

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

About the Artist:

alexandra ok is a midwest based painter showcasing the beauty of queer community. ok received their BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023, where they honed their figurative painting abilities and passion for color work.

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by October 13. BYOB. 

September 17 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – Clay Ornaments with Kirsten Saunders

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 and welcoming atmosphere.

This month’s class will be led by September’s Artist of the Month, Kirsten Saunders, who will teach us to make Clay Ornaments. Use clay, large cookie cutters and clay stamps to create your own ornaments for any occasion. Great for ages 10+. Working with clay relieves stress, increases focus, and engages both hands and mind. It’s a fun way to expand your creative and expressive repertoire! You can also see Kirsten’s work displayed in the Brushwood Center Gallery from August 30 – September 27.

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

About the Artist:

Kirsten began working with clay in college in 1982 and was hooked right away. Though her B.A. is in Psychology/Sociology, she took many fine art classes and workshops through the years to hone her skills and develop her own style. She taught children’s art classes while raising her own children, and still enjoys teaching occasionally and experiencing children’s playfulness and discovery. She is most inspired by her ever changing garden, whimsy, and her love of nature and it’s amazing creatures. Each piece is one of a kind, created in her home studio in Gurnee Illinois. Working mostly with Terra Cotta clay, pieces are wheel thrown, hand built, or a construction of both. Her mosaics are a blend of crockery, her own pottery, glass and other enticing items.

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by September 15. BYOB. 

August 13 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – View From Your Window Accordion Art Books with Susan Teller

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 and welcoming atmosphere.

This month’s class will be led by August’s Artist of the Month, Susan Teller, who will teach us to make Accordion Art Books. Recycle paper CD covers into your own unique accordion art book! Participants will paint, draw, and / or collage each page, with Susan’s guidance.You can also see Susan’s work displayed in the Brushwood Center Gallery from July 26 – August 30.

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

About the Artist:

Susan Teller graduated from the University Of Illinois Chicago with a BFA in 1979. She worked at Spring Studio, United Letter, and the Marshall Fields Advertising Department. She was the Skokie Public Library Staff Artist/ Librarian, from 1997-2022. She currently teaches workshops in paper making, watercolor painting, and book binding. She also teaches classes about women artists, the process of making art, and storyboard drawing and development.

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by August 11. BYOB. 

July 16 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – Constructing and Deconstructing with Maryann Wattelle

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 and welcoming atmosphere.

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

Learn to draw a face and use found materials from BASE to create a portrait. Artist of the Month Maryanne Wattelle will teach the class an easy way to breakdown the dynamics of drawing a face and the correct proportions and ratios. She’ll provide insights and shortcuts to capturing the placements of the features of eyes, noses, mouth and hair. Then, using collage and found materials, participants will be invited to embellish the portrait with materials like buttons, yarn, rolled paper, paint and magazine scraps. This workshop will be fun and user-friendly

About the Artist:

Maryann Wattelle is a BFA graduate from the Art Institute of Chicago. Her focus has been on painting, drawing and Art Therapy. Oil, watercolor, found materials and recycled paper are the elements she utilizes in her creative pursuits. She loves using recycled frames and materials. Her work is currently on display at the following locations: Forshey Gallery Tall Grass Arts Association Dragon Fly Gallery Chicago Downers Grove Library Elmhurst Art Museum, and artist guild Artsy Gallery. She’s a mom of four and also a foster mom. In addition to her artistic pursuits, she has worked for American Airlines for 25 years. Her greatest passions are sharing the experience of making art with others and guiding them through their own creative process. She has taught classes for children, young adults and seniors. In her artistic work nature always influences, nourishes and inspires her color choices and themes. She participated in the recent show At Ease in Nature and enjoyed it very much.

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by July 14. BYOB. 

June 18 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – Junk Journals with Magdalena Kranc-Velasquez

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 and welcoming atmosphere.

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

About the Artist:

Magdalena Kranc-Velazquez is a mixed media artist, working in collage. Her work includes intricate collages that feature layering and delicate, yet dramatic, hand painting and drawing. She also creates altered books, creating one-of-a-kind keepsake memory books for her clients, using their photos, jewelry, documents, buttons, and fabrics

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by May 12. BYOB. 

May 14 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – Nature’s Emotion Photo Collage

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 and welcoming atmosphere. We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

This month’s class will be led by May’s Artist of the Month, Diana Noh, who will teach us to make Nature’s Emotion Photo Collages. For a sneak peek of this project, visit Brushwood’s Open Art Workshop on Saturday, April 26 where Diana will be demonstrating from 10-4 pm. You can also see Diana’s work displayed in the Brushwood Center Gallery from April 26 – May 30.

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

About the Artist:

Diana Noh is an interdisciplinary artist working with photography, fiber, and installation. Her practice celebrates reconstructions of distressed photographs of architectural spaces and landscapes, exploring themes of trauma embedded in her family relationships and cultural in-betweenness. 

Diana has exhibited pieces in Asia, North America, and Europe, at venues including Space HNH in Seoul, South Korea; Griffin Museum in Winchester, MA; Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, IL; The Arts Council in Fayetteville, NC; Eastern Market in Detroit, MI; Editart in Geneva, Switzerland; The Art Center Highland Park in Highland Park, IL; Hudson Valley MOCA in Peekskill, NY; Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Her work is collected in the collections of Jennifer and Dan Gilbert, Kyungil University, and numerous Private Collections.

Diana currently resides in Chicago, IL. She holds a B.F.A. from Kyungil University (South Korea) and earned an M.F.A. at Cranbrook Academy of Art (Bloomfield Hills, MI).

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by May 12. BYOB. 

April 16 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs
$20.00
21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States
+ Google Map
224.633.2424

BASE: Create & Sip – Natural Dyes with Invasive Species

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 and welcoming atmosphere. We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

This month’s class will be led by April’s Artist of the Month, Katelyn Patton, who will teach us to make Natural Dyes with Invasive Species. For a sneak peek of this project, visit Brushwood’s Open Art Workshop on Saturday, March 29 where Katelyn will be demonstrating from 10-4 pm. You can also see Katelyn’s work displayed in the Brushwood Center Gallery from March 29 – April 24.

Naturally dyed yellow fabric on a line outside

We’ll have a variety of supplies and tools available. Everyone’s project will be unique. No experience necessary, all skill levels are welcome.

About the Artist:

Katelyn Patton is a visual artist working in Chicago who was born and raised in the Midwest. Her practice focuses on the urban ecology and biodiversity of plants in the city and beyond, the ways that material and color can be naturally derived from them, and how this hyper localized knowledge can be used as a vessel for connecting multiple overlapping histories, stories, and meanings. She has been the Maker-In-Residence at the Harold Washington Library, received a DCASE award in 2020, and has had solo shows at Extra Projects, the Lillstreet Arts Center and the NEIU Fine Arts Center Gallery. In 2024 she received her MFA in studio art from UIC. She also received an award from the UIC Sustainability Fund to establish the Art Garden, a space for cross-disciplinary explorations with plants and alternative materials.

What to Bring:

  • Your favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed for those 21 +)
  • Some snacks to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the creative process
  • Your friends (make sure they register!)
  • Any extra supplies you want to incorporate into your project (Optional! We have lots of supplies!)

Questions? Please contact Director of Public Programs and Music, Parker Nelson at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org

$20/person. Please register by April 14. BYOB. 

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