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 Programs
Two new Weekend Art Walks are coming your way this season! On June 21, join Joanna Pinsky to explore two galleries in West Town: GRAY Chicago and Corbett vs. Dempsey. And on July 19, meet us in Downtown Evanston for a walking tour of large-scale artwork from our mural program, led by the program’s co-founder, Lea Pinsky. These programs are discounted for basic level members and FREE for friends level members and above! Register online now.
Day Trip to Rockford: Thursday, July 17!
Mark your calendars for our bus trip to Rockford, IL, a city bursting with artistic energy and local charm! Meet a local artist in their studio, visit the Rockford Art Museum, explore the city's renowned public sculptures and murals, and more. Email sarah@artencounter.org to let us know you’re interested, and keep an eye on your email for more details and registration information coming soon. Make sure to join our email list if you haven’t already!
What’s NeW:
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Looking Back on 2024
Our outreach programs made a big difference for those we served in 2024. Read our Stories of Community Impact to learn how we brought creativity and connection to people all over the greater Chicago area this year.
Linking Generations is Back
Thanks to support from the Innovation 80 Foundation, we have revived our beloved Linking Generations program this spring. This project pairs youth and seniors living in the same community to get to know each other and collaborate on a shadowbox project related to an area of connection—a shared interest, a value, a dream—that the pair has discovered.
What’s NeW:
Murals
Four Murals in Wilmette this School Year
This year, our mural program worked with Wilmette School District 39 to create murals for four elementary schools! Lead artist Molly Z. explored themes of patterning and personal iconography with 400 students as they brought these dynamic, biomorphic works to life.
Butterfly Garden Mural at Chute School
We are currently partnering 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 is 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.
