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: Braiding Sweetgrass (Part 1) The Brushwood Nature Book Club is a place 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 […]
Image: Walking Up the Dune by Josie Levin Rooted in the Shadow of Coal: Botanical Treasures of the Waukegan Dunes This summer, Brushwood Center presents a new exhibition, Rooted in the Shadow of Coal: Botanical Treasures of the Waukegan Dunes. It is presented in partnership with the Driehaus Museum to explore perspectives on art and […]
Image: Walking Up the Dune by Josie Levin Opening Reception - Rooted in the Shadow of Coal: Botanical Treasures of the Waukegan Dunes This summer, Brushwood Center presents a new exhibition, Rooted in the Shadow of Coal: Botanical Treasures of the Waukegan Dunes. It is presented in partnership with the Driehaus Museum to explore perspectives […]
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 […]
Celestial Nature and Forest Therapy: Summer Solstice Forest bathing is a guided experience that works to mend the relationships humans have with themselves, the concept of time, their communities, and their environment. It is a practice focused on remembering reciprocity by connecting to our senses through the natural world. Join Jess Rodriguez, certified Nature and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Chicago Voyagers: The Future Voyagers Exhibit America has always had a fascination with exploration and the outdoors. We’ve memorialized it in paintings, history books & statues where proud explorers pose heroically—their foot propped on the prow of a canoe or rocky precipice, surveying the American west. But there’s one thing all of these artworks have […]
Chicago Voyagers: The Future Voyagers Exhibit Opening Reception Join Brushwood Center and Chicago Voyagers in a celebration of the opening of The Future Voyagers Exhibition! Be the first to view the brand new exhibition and have a chance to hear directly from artists that created the works. 1:00 pm Exhibition opens for viewing2:00 pm Panel discussion with: […]
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 […]
Mother Earth Market 2025 Saturday, May 10, 10 am- 5 pmSunday, May 11, 12 pm- 5 pm Taking place every Mother’s Day weekend, the Mother Earth Market features and celebrates local artists, makers, vendors, and organizations who are inspired by “Mother Earth” and are working towards a more sustainable future. Check out the vendors, then […]
Enriching Life: Closing Reception Take one last look at the 10th Anniversary Enriching Life - Retrospective Exhibition. The exhibition showcases botanical works by artist Heeyoung Kim and current and invited students of the Heeyoung Kim Botanical Art Academy she founded a decade ago at Brushwood Center. These exceptional artworks connect viewers to our wondrous planet […]
