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SUMMARY:Palette & Pours: Inspired by Matisse
DESCRIPTION:Palette & Pours: Inspired by Matisse – A Wine & Paint Night for Adults\nGet ready for Palette & Pours – a lively\, adults-only night where art and wine flow together! This isn’t your average painting class. It’s a chance to laugh\, sip\, and let your creativity shine. \nThis session’s theme\, Inspired by Matisse\, sets the stage for bold colors and expressive brushwork.  \nBut this evening is about more than just technique. Art has a way of relaxing the mind and lifting the spirit. With each brushstroke\, you’ll let go of stress and slip into a creative flow. Whether you’re an experienced painter or picking up a brush for the very first time\, you’ll discover just how joyful and freeing painting can be. \nAnd don’t worry – you won’t be alone. Talented local artists Sandie Bacon and Lezlie Lenz will guide you step by step\, making sure you feel supported while still encouraging your personal style. You’ll learn\, laugh\, and create at your own pace. By the end of class\, you’ll have an original painting you’ll be proud to take home. \n \nOf course\, no Palette & Pours night would be complete without a glass in hand. All painting materials are included\, along with complimentary wine to enjoy while you work. Prefer something else? Bring your favorite beverage and sip as you create. \nSo grab a friend\, bring a date\, or come solo and make new connections. Either way\, you’ll leave with more than just a painting – you’ll walk away with memories\, laughter\, and maybe even a brand-new hobby. \n*All wine will be included. Guests are also welcome to bring their own if they would like!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/palette-pours-inspired-by-matisse/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Age,Art,Classes
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260506T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260506T173000
DTSTAMP:20260617T170409
CREATED:20260427T192646Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T192646Z
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SUMMARY:Teen Draw & Paint with Joalida Smit
DESCRIPTION:Sign Up Your Teen to Draw & Paint with Joalida\nCome hang out in a space where creativity comes alive. Artist and educator Joalida Smit invites teens to join her ongoing art class at the Gorton Center. This class is all about exploring\, experimenting\, and finding your own artistic voice. From the start\, the studio feels welcoming\, inspiring\, and full of possibility. \nFirst\, students ages 11 to 17 get to try out a wide mix of materials. They might begin with drawing or painting\, and then move on to mixed media. As they experiment\, they gain confidence. Little by little\, they start developing a style that feels uniquely their own. \nOn top of that\, Joalida’s teaching style makes this class stand out. Instead of rigid\, step-by-step lessons\, her approach is flexible and student-focused. She meets each young artist right where they are. Maybe your teen sketches all the time. Maybe they’ve never touched a paintbrush before. Either way\, Joalida gives encouragement and guidance to help them grow. \nHands-On Experience\nNext\, comes hands-on practice. Students work with graphite\, charcoal\, acrylics\, watercolor\, ink – you name it. They mix materials\, test new techniques\, and see what happens. Because of this\, every class feels fresh and exciting. \nAnd here’s the best part: the goal isn’t to finish identical projects. Instead\, the focus is on exploration\, creativity\, and storytelling. Students learn how to express themselves\, share their ideas\, and bring imagination to life. As a result\, they walk away with more than just artwork. They leave with stronger skills\, bigger confidence\, and a deeper connection to their creativity. \nFinally\, this class gives teens a safe\, supportive space to take risks\, try new things\, and grow as artists. Step by step\, they discover the joy of creating something that’s truly their own. \nSo\, why not join Joalida in the studio? It’s a place where individuality is celebrated\, creativity flows\, and every teen has a chance to shine. \nAll materials are provided\, so students can fully immerse themselves in the process without the need to bring supplies. Ages: 11 – 17 \nSkill Level: Intermediate to advanced – Prior art experience and a sincere interest in art are required. \nNote: This is an art development class\, not a recreational after-school club. Students are expected to take their art practice seriously and to respect the shared studio space. Teens who cannot adhere to the expectations of the class may be asked to leave. \nJoalida 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.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/teen-draw-paint-with-joalida-smit-may/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Art,Classes,Youth
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T193000
DTSTAMP:20260617T170409
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SUMMARY:Art Impact Project: Tulip Paintings
DESCRIPTION:Tulip Paintings \nCelebrate spring and sharpen your still life skills in this hands-on painting class. Paint with acrylics on canvas and create your own vibrant floral artwork. We guide you step by step\, so you feel confident from the first brushstroke to the final detail. \nYou don’t need any experience to join. Beginners build skills in a supportive setting. Experienced artists explore fresh techniques and enjoy a relaxed\, creative space. Our wellness-focused art program encourages you to slow down\, connect with your creativity\, and have fun. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or returning to a favorite hobby\, you’ll leave with a beautiful painting and a renewed sense of inspiration. \nAll supplies provided.  Ages 11+ \n \nThis class is free\, but spaces are limited and participants must pre-register.  \nCelebrating their tenth anniversary\, Art Impact Project is a local 501c(3) with a mission of enhancing emotional wellness through creative expression.  They partner with organizations such as schools\, treatment facilities\, libraries\, and other community spaces throughout Lake County\, to facilitate art programming with a focus on better mental health.  Providing a supportive\, small group setting\, Art Impact Project guides participant step-by-step through the creative process so everyone can experience the benefits of art. \nWant to take this class but can’t make this date? Check out our Art Impact Classes on Tuesday April 14 or Tuesday June 9!
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/art-impact-project-tulip-paintings/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Art,Classes,Wellness,Youth
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260514T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260514T213000
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CREATED:20260401T182830Z
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SUMMARY:Take Your Painting to the Next Level
DESCRIPTION:Ready to take your painting to the next level?\nThis class is ideal for artists who already have some experience painting in Oil\, Acrylic\, Gouache\, or Pastel and are ready to grow their skills further. If you’ve been wanting to turn a photo into a painting or have started a piece but feel unsure about how to move forward\, this is the perfect opportunity to get expert guidance and renewed inspiration. \nEach student brings in either a reference photo or an unfinished painting to work on during class. From there\, artist and instructor Michael Latala provides hands-on\, individualized instruction to help you make confident artistic decisions. First\, he’ll show you how to evaluate your photo reference—guiding you in choosing what elements to include and what to leave out. Then\, through clear demonstrations\, he’ll help you resolve common issues like washed-out highlights or areas that have gone too dark to read. \nThroughout the class\, Michael gives each student personal attention. If you’d prefer to keep your canvas untouched\, he’s happy to demonstrate his suggestions digitally using Procreate on his iPad Pro. This digital approach allows you to visualize changes before applying them\, which can be especially helpful when exploring different color choices or compositional edits. \nImportantly\, this class is all about progress at your own pace. There’s no pressure to finish quickly. Instead\, you’re encouraged to slow down\, focus on what you’re learning\, and enjoy the process. With consistent support and practice\, you’ll discover how to turn your ideas into beautiful\, well-executed paintings—just the way you imagined them. \nThis series runs on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month: \n\nMay 14 & 28\nJune 11 & 25\nJuly 9 & 23\nAugust 13 & 27
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/take-your-painting-to-the-next-level-may-14/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Art,Classes
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