If you’ve ever stopped in front of an artwork and wished you could create something like that, here’s your chance to give it a go. Oak Park and the other near west suburbs offer plenty of art studios, classes, and art workshops where you can free the artist hidden inside you.
Whether you want serious instruction, art camps for kids, or just an art experience to get creative with friends, our guide will help you find the right venue for you or for your little ones. From sip-and-paint parties and introductory art workshops to open studio visits and creative private events, there’s an artistic outlet for just about everyone.
Painting
Even if the only brush you’ve ever held was a toothbrush, you can paint a picture or keepsake, and have a great time while doing so.
Bottle & Bottega
1 West Harris Avenue, La Grange, IL
A Bottle & Bottega BYOB paint party makes for a great get-together with old friends as well as an opportunity to make new ones. Go to its website to see the images selected for each scheduled party; once you’re there, an artist will guide you through painting it. You can also host your own painting event in the space.
As well as parties, Bottle & Bottega offers studio time to paint a project on your own. You can pop in from noon to 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, or reserve a time in advance. Whether you want to surprise your sweetie with a depiction of the Eiffel Tower at sunset, create a one-of-a-kind serving tray, or paint a fanciful tote bag as a gift, the staff will help you choose a project and provide all the materials and instructions you need.
La Grange Art League
122 Calendar Avenue, La Grange, IL
Stepping into an art class as an adult can be intimidating—unless the art class is held at the not-for-profit La Grange Art League. Here you’ll find classes for novices and more-experienced artists alike, including “Learning to Love Watercolor,” “FUNdamentals of Acrylics,” and “Portraits, Figures & Beyond.” The organization also offers one- and two-day workshops such as “Painting with Oil Pastels,” classes for kids, and special artist talks.
If you’re in need of inspiration before your class, you can stroll through the gallery in the front of the building. Paintings, pottery, jewelry, and other artworks by local artists are on display and available for sale.
Oak Park Art League
720 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL
Oak Park has its own nonprofit art league, with a roster of five-week adult courses. In addition to classes devoted to painting and drawing, the center offers instruction on weaving, printing, and other art forms.
Beyond classes, Oak Park Art League hosts three-hour non-instructional figure drawing sessions with live models, as well as monthly BYOB Sip & Paint sessions. The center also has a gallery featuring works by local artists.
Slowfire
907 South Lombard Avenue, Oak Park, IL
629 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL
Equipped with a kiln, wheels, glazes, and more pottery accoutrements, Slowfire’s Lombard Avenue location is nirvana for adults and kids alike who want to learn about making ceramics or hone their existing skills. The Grove Avenue site invites you to explore other media as well. The adults-only Friday Night Paint & Sip sessions, for instance, provide an instructor, art supplies, and yes, wine so that you can recreate an iconic artwork by the likes of Matisse and Van Gogh.
If you’re looking to host a party with a creative twist, Slowfire offers Sweet Treat Baking Parties for kids, Cake Decorating Parties, Wheel Thrown Ceramic Parties, and more. What’s more, the nonprofit Slowfire Art Foundation offers free painting and drawing classes for seniors on Wednesdays at Oak Park and River Forest Townships Senior Services (130 South Oak Ave, Oak Park).
Studio 928
451 South Boulevard, Oak Park, IL
Studio 928 offers a mix of creative workshops and private classes for budding and experienced artists alike. A recent favorite is its “Faux Frank” experience, which leans into local hero Frank Lloyd Wright’s affinity for stained glass with workshops where you can paint your own faux stained-glass art. Those who want to learn how to paint with acrylics but aren’t keen on group sessions can enroll in private classes, and the center also offers special events focused on watercolors, Cricut, and other media.
You can rent the open, adaptable space to host meetings, parties, and other events, with the option to add customized art activities to make the gathering more special. For groups as small as 10 people, consider one of Studio 928’s BYOB Paint and Sip packages.
Studio of Art
7510 1/2 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL
Let loose your inner Kadinsky, de Kooning, or Frankenthaler at Studio of Art. Classes focus exclusively on acrylic and mixed-media abstracts, and they’re open to newbies and experienced painters alike. All materials, except for canvases, are provided, and an artist will help you make the most of your creative potential.
To get a sense of the type of abstract art you might create, visit the studio’s gallery. Open Thursdays through Saturdays, it features original works by Studio of Art founder Melody Kratz and other artists.
Pottery
Remember how fun it was to make mud pies? These studios help you recapture that feeling in a more sophisticated fashion. In addition to the centers below, check out more pottery facilities here.
Riverside Arts Center
32 East Quincy Street, Riverside, IL
Riverside Arts Center’s monthly Weekend Wheel Workshops are open to adults of all experience levels. Along with demonstrating techniques, the instructor provides guidance tailored to your abilities. Those who feel comfortable throwing basic shapes on a pottery wheel can enroll in the intermediate classes to tackle more-advanced forms and techniques.
The center also hosts a weekly drop-in Art Jam on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. where adults can work on whatever sort of art they want, using RAC’s supplies or their own. There are classes and camps for kids as well, plus the Senior Art Club held on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Terra Incognito
246 Chicago Avenue, Oak Park, IL
The one-time wheel-throwing sessions at Terra Incognito let you get your hands dirty, literally, with no commitment. If you find yourself eager to learn more, sign up for the adult wheel-throwing classes, where newbies can learn from more-practiced potters in addition to their instructor.
Kids as young as five can get in on the fun in their own classes and camps. And be sure to check out Terra Incognito’s gallery, where you can see for yourself just how versatile clay and glazes can be.
ViaClay
208 South Marion Street, Oak Park, IL
Whether you’re a complete pottery novice or have some experience working with a wheel, you’ll find a suitable class at ViaClay. Each six-week session includes 18 hours of instruction and open studio time. You can also sign up for additional studio time or become a member and gain access to the members-only space that will soon be opening at 7744 Monroe Street in Forest Park.
Not sure whether pottery is right for you? Try a two-hour Saturday session to see how you like working with clay, or reserve a spot at Wine-o-Rama Fridays, where all supplies—including Italian vino—are included.
For Kids
Most kids are bubbling with creativity, but they don’t always have a way to productively express it. These classes and camps will guide them as well as instill in them the beginnings of a lifelong appreciation of art.
Frick Kids Art
725 Woodbine Avenue, Oak Park, IL
Drawing, painting, sculpting, even sewing: Kids ages six and up can enjoy classes in all those media and more (including anime!) at Frick Kids Art. The center offers half- and full-day summer camp sessions too, along with special sessions during school holidays.
You can also count on Frick Kids Art for extra-special birthday parties with age-appropriate projects that double as party favors. The center hosts BYO drinks and snacks parties for adults as well as kids too, plus a Parents’ Night Out one Friday each month: Caretakers can drop off their kids for a few hours of crafting so that they can enjoy some much-deserved adult time.
Kidcreate Studio
200-A West Harrison Street, Oak Park, IL
You’re never too young to get the creative juices flowing, which is why Kidcreate Studio offers art classes for little ones as young as two years old. The Mini Master Weekly Class introduces kids ages 2–6, to Picasso, Matisse, and other masters in a hands-on way; the Cosmic Creators Lab Weekly Class sets kids 5–12 loose on space-inspired crafts such as designing their own solar system. Other classes and workshops let them explore mosaics, candy-making, and more.
Kidcreate Studio’s summertime and holiday camps are just as creative. Weeklong sessions include Fairies & Princesses, Messy Fun Clay Factory, and Puppies & PJs, where kids get to create puppy-themed art while wearing their comfiest jammies. (If only they offered the same for adults!)
Magical Minds Studio
110 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL
At Magical Minds Studio’s afterschool workshops, kids in kindergarten up to sixth grade experiment with paint, fabric, clay, mosaics, stencils, and a trove of other materials. The variety ensures they’ll never get bored. Younger children aren’t left out: The Passport 2 Preschool classes introduce them to new materials and new friends while they improve their fine motor and language skills.
During school breaks and summer vacation, the center offers several camp options, including themed weeks such as Wizarding World, Superheroes and Self-Expression, and Lego Challenge and Stop Motion. You can also book artist-led parties in the colorful space—you bring the food and drink, and they’ll supply the rest.
Places to See Art
Perhaps you’ve decided that your true talent lies in enjoying art rather than making it. In that case, explore our list of art galleries and exhibition spaces in Oak Park and beyond. You just might get inspired to give painting or pottery another go!