credit: Tom Harris Photography
Public Programs Registration
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) hosts programs for the North Lawndale community in the 12th-floor classroom at Nichols Tower in Homan Square. We offer free classes, workshops, and events in a variety of art genres for adults (ages 18+), youth (ages 14-18), and intergenerational groups (ages 13 and up; children ages 12 and under are welcome to attend with an adult).
Our workshops are often led by local art instructors and provide participants with the opportunity to learn a specific art skill or technique.
The Makers Meetup
Sunflowers Sip & Paint Brunch — Guided Canvas Painting
Date: May 18
Time: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: 906 S. Homan Ave., 12th floor
The workshop will build connections by looking at what inspires lasting creative communities through guided painting!
Meet UP other artists and Westside creatives, and explore creativity and important conversations while enjoying refreshments and a mocktail.
For questions, please contact us at homansquare@saic.edu or artwestchicago@gmail.com.
Our Makers Meetups are designed to experience painting, crafting, and making connections. Alexie Young will lead an exploratory art-making and networking gathering using design prompts and questions for deep conversations that inspire.
Lawndale Civic Design with Landon Williams & Mathew “Mac” Courtade
Date(s): Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 18-August 8 (off July 4)
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Class, with lunch
Lawndale Civic Design is a youth summer paid internship for real-world application of design in the community. How can design make a neighborhood more livable and vibrant? The project goal is to create incentives for people to contribute using design while improving the community’s ownership of public space and making it friendlier. This year the course will have students create and learn about how designers can improve their neighborhood working with Redline Services on a garden lot.
Artrepreneurs with Hyero
Date(s): Mondays & Wednesdays, June 17-August 10 (off July 3); One Saturday in August for Lawndale Arts Fair
Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Class, with lunch
This is a class for Black, female, youth artists to embark on creating art and turning it into profitable careers. We'll explore various art forms, from jewelry making to painting, with a focus on building self-confidence and a supportive sisterhood. Students will receive a stipend for materials. By the end of this program, students will have the ability to create art, market their work, and gain the confidence to pursue their artrepreneurial dreams and sell their work at the Lawndale Arts Festival.