Arts Studio

WHAT WE DO

The PRC Arts Studio offers a safe haven for those who want to express themselves freely through art. No experience or special talent is expected, classes are complimentary and anyone is welcome.
The PRC Arts Studio began ten years ago as Women's Wisdom, offering art classes several times a week to women from all walks of life. Now the program has expanded to include Kids Art and People's Art, and provides programs and classes in a variety of formats.

Participants may choose from a variety of class subjects including visual art, creative writing, pottery, sewing, and much more for women, men and children of all ages.

HOW WE DO IT

Our classes are free and open to every skill level. No experience is necessary. However, please call to register. For more information, call Lesley at 630-682-5402 ext. 241.

Take a class :
Click here for a schedule of classes.

Enjoy our Artwork:
Click here to see our art gallery.

IMPACT

In our last fiscal year, 182 adults and 945 children developed their creative spirit and self-esteem through learning art. We had 2718 individual hours of service for adults through 196 classes and 8939 individual hours of services for kids through 456 classes.

YOU CAN HELP

Volunteer: We welcome volunteers who are interested in helping the PRC Art Studio continue providing a space and atmosphere for healing through the arts. If you want to volunteer, complete our volunteer application and we will contact you.

Kids Art teachers:

Teach weekly art classes for children grades K-8 in neighborhood after school programs.
-Flexible times and days
-Supplies, project ideas and resources provided

Neighborhoods:
Addison*
Downers Grove
Glen Ellyn
Glendale Heights
Hanover Park
Naperville*
West Chicago
Wheaton
Willowbrook
Woodridge*

*Classes at these sites will not have a summer program and will begin in the fall

PRC Art Studio teachers:

Teach art to women in our Women’s Wisdom art classes at the following sites and times:

-Tuesday afternoon at the Wheaton art studio, 201 S. Naperville Rd. in Wheaton

-Monday evenings at the Westmont art studio, 649 Blackhawk Rd. in Westmont

Teach a music class at our Wheaton art studio! We have a 61-key Casio keyboard that can be used.

Other opportunities:

-Assist with classes:
Check out our art class schedule on the website at www.peoplesrc.org to see if there are any classes you would like to help out with. We also need assistants and substitutes for our Kids Art classes.

-Serve on the PRC Art Advisory Board! Help coordinate exhibitions and give feedback about the program at
bi-monthly meetings.

-Help purchase art supplies and distribute them to different neighborhood resource centers.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities or have questions, call Lesley Gena at 630.682.4502, extension 241.

Donate: For $15, you can provide an art class for a child. Donate Now.

VICTORS OF CIRCUMSTANCE

Alice, new to the People’s Art writing class, told us that she had been terribly isolated for many years. Her only friends were “phone friends”. As she became more comfortable with the other participants she began to open up a bit about her life. One afternoon after the class, she and two others, Sara and Amy, stayed and talked for more than an hour. Sara and Amy had found each other at the PRC and had become close friends. They opened their hearts to Alice and she realized how much alike they all were. A beautiful healing connection began.

Alice has debilitating fibromyalgia. Sara is crippled from childhood polio and Amy, with muscular dystrophy, needs a walker to navigate. All three women also have devastating mental and emotional scars. But Sara and Amy both have an astonishing sense of humor and an amazing way of holding their own misfortunes while empathizing with the fortunes of others. All three are on a health filled journey that was begun at the PRC.

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Allen-Heath Memorial Foundation
DuCAP Choices Program of Greenbrook, Hanover Park
Henry Hyde Resource Center,Addison
Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society
Glen Ellyn Resource Center, Glen Ellyn
Hinsdale Center for the Arts
Horizon's Foundation
Illinois Arts Council
Madison School, Naperville
Main Park Neighborhood Resource Center, West Chicago
Marian Park Resource Center,Wheaton
Naperville Resource Center, Naperville
Prentice Creek Resource Center, Downers Grove
Riverwoods Neighborhood Resource Center,West Chicago
Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise Foundation
Staples Foundation for Learning
Target
The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency
Topfer Family Foundation
Westwood Neighborhood Resource Center,West Chicago
Willowbrook Corner Neighborhood Resource Center, Willowbrook
Woodridge Resource Center, Woodridge
WorldRelief, Wheaton
York Community Neighborhood Resource Center, Lombard