Classes & workshops

What’s really special about Chicago is all the ways this community invites folx in — into someone’s practice, their studio, their process. Gallery-going here doesn’t stop at the white walls. You can build a whole curriculum out of local classes and workshops, each one hosted by a Chicago artist or maker sharing their tools, space, knowledge, and time. Requires a little planning, but that’s part of the adventure.

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Dye fabric naturally with Laila Textiles

This class is dreamy — the educational companion to running through a field of flowers. Liz takes you into the natural dye garden where you pick and then work with your own selected materials to make custom eco-dyed silk. This class is an invite to creatively collaborate with natural materials and is perfect for any skill level.

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Make Riso collage with Catdroool at Lotsa

Curious about Riso? You are not alone! This 3 hour workshop will teach you about the history and use of the Risograph and is a super accessible intro into this very cool analog meets digital process.  You will walk away with 10 of your own prints to be kept, gifted, or traded in class. Hannah is wonderful to learn from and work with and this class is a really open space to create and play. 

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Mend your clothes with The Goody Vault

Manny gives new life to previously loved clothes, honoring the history and labor of these garments and turning them into unique works of wearable art. If you can catch a class with him, he will share techniques to rework and repair garments that you can use to personalize and mend your wardrobe. It’s a practice in building an authentic and sustainable wardrobe.

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WeaveSpa at the Chicago Weaving School

This two hour beginner-friendly class takes place at a Chicago textile mainstay and is, in their own words,  “for anyone interested in beautiful textiles, yarn, or making things by hand” which like… *raises hand* yes to all of the above. Kid friendly, too!

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Hands-on glassblowing at Firebird Community Arts

This is a high-temperature introduction to glassblowing where you’ll create your own paperweight…but that’s only part of what makes it list-worthy. Firebird Community Arts is centered around the belief that art is a tool for healing. Their work goes far beyond craft instruction: they center community, with an emphasis on those on Chicago’s South and West sides who have experienced trauma, violence, or structural challenges. They foster access, and use glass and ceramics as vehicles for connection, communication, and restoration. The real guts and glory of Chicago live in buildings like theirs.

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Anything at Francines

Francines offers an almost unhinged range of workshops, from clay charm making and cookbook junk journaling, to full size puppet making. - They all take place inside the studio of artists and partners Felt Girl World and Olivia Comai. When people ask what I’m into I usually end up referencing their work in some way. This collaborative space feels fresh, unique and under the radar and the product of a really prolific relationship with creative experimentation. TLDR; if they have a class, take it.

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Throw some pots at Penguin Foot Pottery

This Chicago institution offers one-off workshops where you can experiment with clay both on the wheel and off. This is a really fun one to do with friends, because there is something about getting a little messy and the inevitable Ghost references that make this ancient practice into a kinda fun silly messy time.

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Medicinal plant walk with Greenspell

If you enjoy a walk in the woods, this is absolutely the move: an immersive hands-on plant walk through our bioregion that explores the medicinal and food uses of local plants and fungi. Led by Alex, who as first curve apothecary, makes sliding scale herbal products like tinctures, bitters, and tea. Alex is a deeply thoughtful herbalist, and his love of the earth and expertise about our region makes for a really special way to “see Chicago.”

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Chill follow-ups

Taking a class means you gotta be somewhere at a specific time with your brain all the way on. Maybe you have a one-two punch in you, but maybe you are like me and could use a break.  These are my go-to's.

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Garfield Park Conservatory‍

I have romantic feelings about this building. It’s basically a walking oxygen bar with ferns. Yes, there is a Good Things Vending machine there with an stunning immersive mural by local artist Chi Nwosu that I would like you to see, but truly you could just walk in, stand in one spot for 15 minutes and walk out and your life would be better for it. One of the largest greenhouse conservatories in the U.S! It is a Chicago gem.

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Any Chicago beach or lakefront path

This is a water city; find it and you’ll find something good.

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Gene Siskel Film Center

Film lovers cinema. Sitting a few rows back in the middle is like being hugged by whatever you watch.

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King Spa

If you’re up for a little journey outside the city, this traditional Korean spa is the maximum recharge option.

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Easy, Free Art Spaces 

If the planning ahead doesn’t fit with your packed week here are some solid drop in spots.

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Museum of Contemporary Photography

Free! Closed Sunday. Open 10am-5pm every other day. 

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National Museum of Mexican Art

Free! Open Tuesday-Sunday.

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Kimball Arts Center

Dayglow coffee on the first floor, art and a Good Things Vending machine. If you go here check out the 606 path!

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Chicago Cultural Center

One of my favorite buildings in the city. We have a vending machine there but before that I got to help open Buddy, the local art store, and it’s one of my favorite projects I have been involved in. Kim curates a massive range of local art and goods. A maximalist dreamscape. Right across from all the sculptures in Millennium park.

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Eats

My version of the cherry on top of the things I get to love about Chicago. 

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Kanin

Pizza Amici

Lost Larson 

Mikos Italian Ice

Cho Sun Oak

Middlebrow