Comprehensive courses in drawing, watercolors, weaving, sewing, knitting, and more with expert instructors and small class sizes.
Fun and educational weeklong camps for kids and teens, including bookmaking and other creative projects in a safe environment.
Rotating displays of contemporary art in our gallery space, open to the public for viewing and inspiration.
Short, immersive sessions like ice tie-dye for hands-on creative experiences, perfect for beginners or quick projects.
Convenient starter kits and materials available for purchase on-site to support your artistic journey.
My favorite place in Chicago to take art classes as an adult! I’ve taken letterpress, sewing, and knitting classes. All have been totally worth the money. Small class sizes, lots of both instruction and making time. Kind and helpful teachers and a nice environment to make!
I really wanted to like my one day workshop at Lillstreet..but it was so disorganized! I took the 3 hour ice tie dye workshop. The teacher meant well but she did not have any time management skills. After waiting for her to prep the provided white fabric (which could have been done before the class started) and demonstrations (where she was struggling to find supplies and cut cardboard) we were only able to tie dye for about 30 minutes. We were rushed to rinse out the fabrics. We were told before the class that we could bring in our own white fabric to dye along with the 2 pieces provided the class. The teacher made us feel silly for bringing extra fabric and we ultimately were rushed and did not have time to have a nice creative experience. I feel like this could have been avoided with better organizational skills or perhaps if the teacher had an assistant. I'm disappointed in the experience because it was not worth $130.
Fantastic children's classes! My daughter loved taking their weeklong Bookmaking and Stories camp this summer and many more over the years. I HIGHLY recommend for your littles, tweens and teens!
I started taking basic drawing. The class has been really fun so far. The facilities are good. You can bring your materials or buy a starter kit there at least for the drawing class.
The first class I signed up for was First-Time Frame Loom Weaving with Meredith Donnelly for five weeks for $220. Meredith emailed us with links to their favorite local locations to purchase supplies and videos they created to use as tutorials if we needed help outside of class. Meredith was perfect for my learning style by having the class watch a demo of her doing new techniques and then we would practice them on our own. She also started the course with information about the history of weaving and provided you with a packet they curated containing all the techniques we were to learn! Jake Wobig was training as an instructor at the time and they brought their own unique insights to the class as well. The second class I took was Beginning Watercolors with Jen Adams-Wells for 10 weeks for $440. I suggest taking an introduction to drawing class before taking Beginning Watercolors with Jen as there is little demo on drawing techniques unless you ask for assistance. Jen is always happy to help if you ask and walks around the class checking in on each student to see if they have any questions. A typical class setup with Jen is being introduced to a still life at the beginning of class and you using the rest of the time exploring the medium on your own and Jen there if you have questions.

Unleash your creativity in Chicago's vibrant hub for art classes, galleries, and community.
No photos available
Lillstreet Art Center is a premier art destination in Chicago, offering a dynamic space for artists and enthusiasts of all ages. We provide a wide range of art classes, from drawing and watercolors to weaving and letterpress, in a supportive, well-equipped environment. Our gallery showcases rotating exhibitions, and our community-focused approach fosters creativity through small class sizes, expert instruction, and engaging workshops. Whether you're a beginner or experienced artist, Lillstreet is your go-to spot for learning, creating, and connecting in the heart of Chicago.
Claim Lillstreet Art Center to update business info, respond to reviews, and access analytics.