Adult Art With Joalida Smit
2025-04-02 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Gorton Center, 400 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045
Join Joalida in her art studio at the Gorton Center for structured art classes over 5 weeks. Participants will start with mark-making (charcoal, pen, ink), exploring light and shading, moving towards more complex subjects incorporating paint and collage. The aim is to find your flow and natural style, working with your inner critic to become free in your art-making. Joalida will go at your pace, introducing elements as we go along.
This is a structured, yet fun art class where students let go of what holds them back and step into creativity. Every adult needs this class!
Winter classes will build on this foundational course moving towards, colour, paint and canvas. Join Joalida if you want to be part of a structured, yet freeing journey towards your creative self!

Teen Art Class With Joalida Smit
2025-04-02 16:00 - 17:30
Paint and draw with Joalida in her art studio at the Gorton Center! In this on-going class Joalida works with teens exploring different mediums, techniques and subject matter to discover their art style. These classes are unstructured, meeting your teen where they are in their art development and guiding them through individual attention to become more confident in their art making. All materials are provided. Ages 11 – 17
*Please note this is an art development class, not an after school club. Prior art experience and a keen interest in art required. Your teen will be asked to leave if they cannot adhere to the rules of the art room.
Joalida Smit is a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist who lived and worked in London (UK) and Cape Town (SA) for the past 20 years. She pivoted to full time artist during COVID and now runs an art studio at The Gorton Center working on large scale canvases. Currently she is exploring innovative ways to incorporate art in the psychology work of personal transformation.

Adult Art: Blooming Cactus
2025-04-03 16:00 - 17:30
THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Paint a flower prickly pear cactus in watercolor during this class. Take a cue from western succulents and mix vibrant colors in warm tones. Finished art will be on heavyweight paper, suitable for framing. All supplies provided; all experience levels welcome.

Palette & Pours: Water Lillies, Monet
2025-04-04 19:00 - 21:00
Grab a friend and join other adults for a fun evening of wine and painting. Sandie Bacon and Lezlie Lenz will be leading this inspiring and relaxing class.
Creating and expressing oneself through art can be a therapeutic and fulfilling experience that promotes mental wellness. Art classes are a great way to meet new people who share similar interests and learn together.
No matter what your talent level, you will have an enjoyable experience and a beautiful new piece of original artwork!
*All wine will be included, guests are also welcome to bring their own if they would like!

Sketching & Drawing with Phil Schorn
2025-04-07 13:00 - 15:30
In this class, students will learn to draw what they see. And, to learn pencil techniques to create a finished piece of art. Students will work from still life and also plein-air (outside).
Supplies purchased by the student
11 x 14 sketch book (9 x 12 will work), you will like the larger size.
Drawing board for the paper, with clip, (to hold the paper)
Various drawing graphite pencils (ex; 2H, 2B, 6B)
Kneaded Eraser
Drafting Eraser
12” ruler

Philip Schorn – P Schorn Studio – Botanical Color Pencil Artist My botanical renderings are not drawings of plant specimens as seen in scientific books; rather, they are renderings of plants as seen through the eye of an artist. I can look at the ground; I can see the shapes, light, and shadows. I focus on a small portion of the subject and what makes it interesting, whether that be the individual leaf, flower, or snapshot of the ground, to bring the details to life.
I have been working with colored pencil for several years and teaching the art for the last three years. I’m currently teaching online from my home since March. I currently teach online color pencil classes for other art studios/galleries, private classes and Facebook demos. I have two books published of my art/techniques on. I have done a number of outdoor shows, group and individual exhibitions.
My process of making a rendering with the detail that I want to have requires a significant amount of time. Sometimes I use other media, such as ink, watercolors or pastels.
I am a member of the Color Pencil Society of America, Grayslake Arts Alliance and the Lake County Art League. My studio is located in Grayslake.
Email: phil@psc

Getting Started with Color Pencil
2025-04-08 13:00 - 15:30
THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Explore the beauty of drawing with colored pencil in this course for beginners. Learn everything you need to get started – types of paper, pencils, how to put the color down, how to draw without seeing lines, layering, and blending. Each session will be a review working on the drawing. The class will work on 2-3 renderings during the 4 week course.
STUDENTS NEED TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN SUPPLIES:
Supplies: – Can be ordered through Blick Art Supply
-48ct Prismacolor softcore pencils
-1 9×12 300 series Strathmore Smooth Bristol Pad
-1 Blick colorless blending pen
-Pencil sharpener (electric or manual)
-Smooth surface to draw on, drawing board
1 or 2-inch clean soft paintbrush (to use as a drafting brush)

Philip Schorn – P Schorn Studio – Botanical Color Pencil Artist My botanical renderings are not drawings of plant specimens as seen in scientific books; rather, they are renderings of plants as seen through the eye of an artist. I can look at the ground; I can see the shapes, light, and shadows. I focus on a small portion of the subject and what makes it interesting, whether that be the individual leaf, flower, or snapshot of the ground, to bring the details to life.
I have been working with colored pencil for several years and teaching the art for the last three years. I’m currently teaching online from my home since March. I currently teach online color pencil classes for other art studios/galleries, private classes and Facebook demos. I have two books published of my art/techniques on. I have done a number of outdoor shows, group and individual exhibitions.
My process of making a rendering with the detail that I want to have requires a significant amount of time. Sometimes I use other media, such as ink, watercolors or pastels.
I am a member of the Color Pencil Society of America, Grayslake Arts Alliance and the Lake County Art League. My studio is located in Grayslake.
Email: phil@nullpschornstudio.com FB: pschornstudio/

After School Art Club with Lezlie
2025-04-09 15:45 - 17:15
Do you have a budding artist in the family? Then sign them up for this after-school class where they will create with an art history story! Students start out with free draw time, discuss an “artist of the day”, work on a project inspired by that artist, and finish up with clean up, an art discussion and a draw-a-long. Grades 1 – 4
Our art classes provide your child with a structured environment to explore their creativity and experiment with different artistic techniques. It also offers them a way to express themselves, their thoughts, and emotions in a visual and tangible form. Students will be introduced to various artistic styles, techniques, and cultural influences from around the world that can help them develop an appreciation for diversity and different perspectives.
