Veteran Families – Page 2 – Brushwood Center

Virtual Event

February 26 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Gabrielle Tufano

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 information about the natural world and flowers. Student input and discussion are welcome!

Class taught by Gabrielle Tufano.
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Art materials will be mailed to your home. Materials will be sent via Amazon, you must register a week beforehand to receive materials.

If registering the day before or of the event, please have your own materials at home – watercolor paint, paper, pencil.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

Related Events

Virtual Event

January 22 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Gabrielle Tufano

View Organizer Website

Watercolor Painting for Women Veterans and Families

Class taught by Gabrielle Tufano.
—
Art materials will be mailed to your home. Materials will be sent via Amazon, you must register a week beforehand to receive materials.

If registering the day before or of the event, please have your own materials at home – watercolor paint, paper, pencil.

Activity expectation is sitting.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. Virtual Class.

Related Events

Image: Stones with Feather, by Margarete de Soleil

November 9, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – November 30, 2025 @ 3:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs and At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods

21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States + Google Map

224.633.2424

At Ease in Nature

Join us to celebrate the healing power of nature and the arts. At Ease in Nature features artwork created during our 2025 At Ease programs, as well as work inspired by experiences in nature from members of the Military Community.

This year’s exhibition highlights the diversity that can be found in nature and in the armed forces, making each stronger than they would be without it.

Started in 2015, Brushwood’s At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans initiative offers programs for Veterans, Service Members, and their families designed to empower wellbeing through nature-based art, music, and photography workshops. At Ease helps build skills in creative expression and provides Veterans with access to mental health support.

This exhibition will open with a reception and panel discussion on November 9, at 1 pm.

LEaRn More

Related Events

Image: Stones with Feather, by Margarete de Soleil

November 9, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Initiatives

Public Arts Programs and At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods

21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States + Google Map

224.633.2424

At Ease in Nature Opening Reception

This year’s exhibition will highlight the diversity that can be found in nature and in the armed forces, making each stronger than they would be without it.

Started in 2015, Brushwood’s At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans initiative offers programs for Veterans, Service Members, and their families designed to empower wellbeing through nature-based art, music, and photography workshops. At Ease helps build skills in creative expression and provides Veterans with access to mental health support.

This exhibition will open with a reception and panel discussion on November 9, at 1 pm.

Related Events

October 16, 2025 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Veteran Art Tribe

View Organizer Website

American Legion Cicero Post 96

5820 W 35th St
Cicero, Illinois 60804 + Google Map

Digital Art for Veterans and Families

Enjoy learning about digital art with your fellow veterans and families members. Please download the proper software to your phone.

A smartphone is required for this class.

Prior to class Download ArtRage (free for Android, $2.99 for iPhone). Make sure to also open the app prior to class. This will ensure we can start right away if there are updates or login needed for the app.

Activity Expectation: Indoors and seated; a smartphone is required for this class.

Sensory Expectations: Indoors

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available.

Snacks will be served; please let us know if you have any food allergies. Registration required.

For questions, accessibility or mobility concerns, please contact Veterans Program Specialist, Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org

Related Events

September 27, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Veteran Art Tribe

View Organizer Website

Chicago Lighthouse

View Organizer Website

Jackson Park, Chicago

Stairs Overlooking the Columbia Basin – Griffin Museum of Science and Industry 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, 60637 + Google Map

Photography at Jackson Park for Veterans & Families

Come learn and enjoy photography at the historical and beautiful Jackson Park with your fellow veterans and family members. Enjoy the comradery, scenery, and history in one of Chicago’s finest parks. Brushwood Center will be able to loan cameras as needed. All skill levels welcomed.

Brought to you by Brushwood Center’s At Ease Program, Veteran Art Tribe, and Chicago Lighthouse!

Registration is required.
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Please note, that this event is for Veterans, current service members, and their families only.

Contact Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org if you have questions or concerns.

Related Events

August 28, 2025 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Veteran Art Tribe

View Organizer Website

Chicago Vet Center

8658 S. Sacramento Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60652 United States + Google Map

Veteran Paint and Plant

Nurture your creativity and your spirit. In this class, you’ll paint a pot with meaningful designs and re-pot a plant to take home—a living reminder of growth and resilience. This grounding experience blends artistic expression with the calming rhythm of nature and the therapeutic act of planting.

Related Events

August 16, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods

21850 Riverwoods Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015 United States + Google Map

224.633.2424

Military Kids Fest

Celebrate Summer with Brushwood Center’s At Ease initiative and enjoy art, music, activities, games, and nature with other members of the Military Community! In collaboration with Kids Rank, Veteran Art Tribe and other Veteran organizations. Brushwood’s second annual Military Kids Fest offers an open house with art, exploration, and fun.

Join us for:

Music fun and a singalong for all ages with Ukulady Lisa
A squishy slime-making activity with Veteran Art Tribe
Meet and greet reptiles and amphibians with the Lake County Forest Preserves
Information and resource tables from: Brushwood Center, Growing Healthy Families, Blue Star Families
A nature hike with Brushwood Center
Outdoor games, art activities, and more!

Please note, that this event is for Veterans, current service members, and their families only.

Contact Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org if you have questions or concerns.

Related Events

August 23, 2025 @ 3:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Veteran Art Tribe

View Organizer Website

River Road Trailhead – Midewin Tallgrass Prairie

Elwood, Illinois 60042 + Google Map

Paint and Photograph the Prairie

Join Brushwood Center’s At Ease initiative in a special program at the Midewin Tallgrass Prairie to enjoy four hours of painting and photographing the prairie with U.S. Veteran artists and photographers. Increase your skills while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow Veterans!

Cameras will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! All art materials will be provided at the event.

Please note, that this event is for Veterans, current service members, and their families only.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring water.

Activity Expectation: Walking, possible uneven trails

Sensory Expectations: Prairie and forest landscape. Wear comfortable shoes.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. We have walking sticks available.

Contact Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org if you have mobility concerns.

Related Events

July 19, 2025 @ 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Initiatives

At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans

Free

Veteran Art Tribe

View Organizer Website

River Road Trailhead – Midewin Tallgrass Prairie

Elwood, Illinois 60042 + Google Map

Paint and Photograph the Prairie

Cameras will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! All art materials will be provided at the event.

Please note, that this event is for Veterans, current service members, and their families only.

Snacks will be provided. Please bring water.

Activity Expectation: Walking, possible uneven trails

Sensory Expectations: Prairie and forest landscape. Wear comfortable shoes.

Available Accommodations: No language interpretation available. We have walking sticks available.

Contact Jessica Klinge at jklinge@brushwoodcenter.org if you have mobility concerns.

Initiatives

Watercolor Painting for Women Veterans and Families

Related Events

Initiatives

Watercolor Painting for Women Veterans and Families

Related Events

Initiatives

At Ease in Nature

Related Events

Initiatives

At Ease in Nature Opening Reception

Related Events

Initiatives

Digital Art for Veterans and Families

Related Events

Initiatives

Photography at Jackson Park for Veterans & Families

Related Events

Initiatives

Veteran Paint and Plant

Related Events

Initiatives

Military Kids Fest

Related Events

Initiatives

Paint and Photograph the Prairie

Related Events

Initiatives

Paint and Photograph the Prairie

Related Events

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