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.
Nature Book Club: March 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 March book will […]
Water(color) for the Soul: Sounds of the Prairie (Visit 1) 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 […]
BASE: Create & Sip - Felt Flowers with Julia Kemerer This class is also offered on March 19. 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, […]
Rest and Recharge: Practicing Radical Self Care in an Uncertain World Rest and Recharge invites visitors into a spacious pause. In a world saturated with constant alerts, urgent headlines, and an unrelenting stream of information, our nervous systems are rarely given time to settle. While some messages truly demand our immediate action, many linger as […]
Opening Reception - Rest and Recharge: Practicing Radical Self Care in an Uncertain World Rest and Recharge invites visitors into a spacious pause. In a world saturated with constant alerts, urgent headlines, and an unrelenting stream of information, our nervous systems are rarely given time to settle. While some messages truly demand our immediate action, […]
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 […]
Nature Book Club: February 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 February book will […]
Joyful! A Celebration of Black History Month Culinary Experience- 12:30 pm, Concert- 2:00 pm Back by popular demand, Brushwood Center hosts an immersive Black History Month experience that brings together music, storytelling, and food as powerful vessels of cultural memory and celebration. This special event honors the richness, resilience, and creativity of Black artistic traditions, […]
BASE: Create & Sip - Smashed Dish Mosaics with Julia Kemerer A second night, due to popular demand! 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, […]
BASE: Create & Sip - Smashed Dish Mosaics with Julia Kemerer 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 […]
Haiku "Ginkgo" Walk with Kathryn Haydon 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 […]
¡Hola! Wiggleworms: February 14 This program is ideal for children ages 1-5, but open to younger and older siblings too! ¡Hola! Wiggleworms celebrates being bilingual! Rooted in traditional folk songs from Spanish-speaking countries around the world, the class is alive with singing, dancing, and musical discovery. Children and their families delight in the musical play of […]
