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
Membership Season is Here
A new membership year is beginning! If you’re a member, don’t forget to renew – and if you’re not, now is the perfect time to join. Enjoy benefits like discounts on public programs, free behind-the-scenes member experiences, and more, all while playing a vital role in supporting our community outreach programming. We’ve got lots of exciting plans in store for the coming year!
Register Now for Upcoming Programs
This September brings the return of our popular Expanding Visions series and our monthly Artist Critique Group. We’re also offering a special Saturday program at an artist studio in Ravenswood, where participants will see a live demonstration and get the chance to experiment with the artist’s materials! And in October, don’t miss your chance to take a Downtown Evanston Mural Tour.
What’s NeW:
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Senior Program Expansion
Engaging, interactive art experiences for older adults living in housing communities have long been a core part of our outreach initiatives. This year, we’ve embarked on a new partnership with Embrace Living Communities, a regional non-profit that provides affordable housing communities for seniors, to bring our Art and Connection program to residents of their West Garfield Park and Lincoln Park locations.
A Celebration of Global Civil Rights Leaders at King Arts School
This past spring, we partnered with King Arts School on a new mural for their library. Working with the theme of civil rights leaders and movements around the globe, artist Damon Lamar Reed designed and painted an inspiring and educational mural with the school's 8th grade graduating class as their legacy gift to the school.
What’s NeW:
Murals
Fun and Games: Children’s Culture!
This summer, artist Jeff Zimmermann designed and painted a very fun mural with us that was created in partnership with the Evanston History Center honoring and uplifting the many innovations and inventions that have come out of Evanston related to children’s play and culture. Each of the items pictured in the mural was created by someone who lived or worked in Evanston, from Tinker Toys and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to the ice cream sundae! You can learn more about the images included in the mural here.
Big Season of New Murals in 2026
In addition to Fun and Games by Jeff Zimmermann, check out Shawn Bullen’s recently-completed block-long A Walk Along the Lake mural, which takes viewers on a lakefront journey from Evanston to Indiana. Another new graffiti mural reunites four outstanding street artists who painted prolifically in Evanston 25 years ago. And two more business district murals are coming soon to Downtown Evanston and the Main Dempster Mile! Follow us on instagram + facebook for more updates.
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.
