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
We’re going to Denmark!
We’re excited to announce an exciting new trip coming in September of 2025: we’ll be exploring the unique art scene, distinctive architecture, and incredible cuisine of Denmark. Check out the details or let us know you’re interested.
Our Spring Benefit Kaleidoscope is May 6!
Mark your calendars for May 6, 2025 to join us at Le Tour Brasserie in Evanston for our biennial spring benefit and art auction, Kaleidoscope! This event raises essential funds for our organization, and gives us the opportunity to show appreciation for our supporters as well as fellow local arts leaders who have made an impact on our community. This year, our Art Impacts Honorees are Natalie van Straaten and Ginny B. Van Alyea of Chicago Gallery News, and our Community Partner of the year is Andy Vick of Downtown Evanston. More information about the event can be found here!
What’s NeW:
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Looking Back on 2024
Our outreach programs made a big difference for those we served in 2024, from students and classroom teachers to seniors in graduated care facilities and members of the disability community. Read our Stories of Community Impact to learn how we brought creativity and connection to people all over the greater Chicago area this year.
Making for Memory: A New Program
We’re very pleased to have launched a new senior program this fall. Making for Memory: A Special Place is a nine week series serving residents of Paul House and Greenview Place in Chicago. Through conversations about original artworks and art-making activities, each participant creates a personal piece honoring a special place from their memory. This program is generously sponsored by The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust.
What’s NeW:
Murals
New Mural Projects This Season
Our Evanston Mural Arts Program not only serves our local community, but neighboring communities as well. This season, we’ve been working with over 425 students from Wilmette School District 39 to create murals for four elementary schools: McKenzie, Central, Romona, and Harper! Lead artist Molly Z. has been exploring themes of patterning and personal iconography with the students as they bring these dynamic, biomorphic works to life. Follow our instagram and Facebook to learn more about projects like this!
An EPIC Year of Murals
Our 2024 mural season included four incredible new projects. The Sun-Times profiled our Meals on Wheels mural by Damon Lamar Reed and our Noyes Street mural by Jordan Nickel/POSE. The Evanston RoundTable also featured our longest mural to date at 909 Davis by Max Sansing and our collaborative Evanston Women’s History Mural by Sholo Beverly. Visit our 2024 Murals page to view more photos of these projects, and follow our mural program on instagram to find out what’s on the horizon for 2025.
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.
