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.
Artistry Banquet: Family and Food
Date(s): Thursday, April 4
Time: 6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Location: 906 S. Homan Ave., 12th floor
Event link: Register here
Date(s:): Saturday, April 27
Time: 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: 906 S. Homan Ave., 12th floor
Event link: Register here
This workshop invites youth and their families from the West Side to enjoy food and art making while learning more about summer classes: Lawndale Civic Design (ages 14+ freshman rising, all genders), and Artrepreneurship (ages 13-19, black femme).
Families with teens ages 13+ can meet our teachers and community partner, Red Line Service. Red Line Service is a community of artists with the lived experience of being houseless. They advocate and work so that people who are unhoused can enjoy and participate in the arts.
There will be food and art activities. You will learn about the two programs we have coming up this summer.
The Makers Meetup
Networking Paint Night: Visionbox Painting
Date: April 25
Time: 6.00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Location: 906 S. Homan Ave., 12th floor
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.
2024 Spring Youth Open Studio
Date(s): Wednesdays, January 24–May 1
Time: 3:45–5:45 p.m.
No Studio March 27 and April 10
Join us for Open Studios at Homan Square. Enjoy free and fun art-making workshops, explore, relax, and work on personal art projects using a wide variety of art materials.
Teaching artists will be in the studio to talk with students about their work and help with any questions, including offering technical demonstrations and workshops with a variety of materials.