Art Encounter is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and connecting people of all ages and backgrounds through interactive encounters with visual art. Our broad range of programs foster community, creativity, and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
What’s NeW:
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Summer Highlights
This summer's Public and Member Programs provided participants with a number of unique art experiences, including two special Weekend Art Walks: an exploration of exhibitions at two West Town galleries and a guided walking tour of our murals in Downtown Evanston. We also ventured to Rockford, IL to enjoy the city's extensive public art, meet with local artists, and visit the Rockford Art Museum.
It’s Membership Season!
Our membership calendar runs from July 1 to June 30, which means a new year has just begun. Visit our membership page to learn how the support of members make our mission possible, and read about benefits like program discounts and access to members-only experiences. Now is the perfect time to renew–or join us for the first time!
What’s NeW:
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Reflecting on This Past Membership Year
Our outreach programs made a big difference for those we served this past year. Read our 2024-25 Membership Year In Review to learn how the support of our members helped us bring creativity and connection to people of all ages and backgrounds throughout the greater Chicago area.
Youth Summer Programs
Art Encounter partnered with Evanston youth development agency Y.O.U. this summer to provide weekly art classes for their 2nd–5th grade students, leading projects that explored landscape painting, clay sculpture, and more. At the end of the five-week program, teachers and students gathered for a Y.O.U. summer showcase celebration at Chute Middle School, where these young artists had the opportunity to display and share their completed work.
What’s NeW:
Murals
Four Murals in Wilmette Schools
Throughout this past school year, our mural program partnered with Wilmette School District 39 to install murals in four of their grade schools! Lead artist Molly Z. created a different distinct and dynamic biomorphic design for each school, then worked with over 400 students to add patterning that brought these vibrant murals to life.
Butterfly Garden Mural at Chute School
This past spring, we partnered with artist Mario Mena and 80 students at Evanston's Chute Middle School to create an exterior mural for their Butterfly Garden inspired by butterfly migration, the students’ own migration stories, and the uniquely diverse community at Chute. This project was part of the Healing Illinois initiative, supported by Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois.
Public and Member Programs
Join us for interactive art tours of museums, galleries, private collections, and local artists’ studios, in person and online!
Community Outreach
Our community programs for local public school students, residents of senior living facilities, adults with disabilities, and more are at the heart of Art Encounter’s mission.
Mural Program
Our Evanston Mural Arts Program exists to make art available to all by uplifting and beautifying our home town with large-scale public murals.
Opportunities for Artists
Join our monthly Critique Group, open your studio for a tour, or become a teaching artist!
Art Travel
Our trips offer the chance to experience the art world in a fresh and stimulating new way.
