Looking for a relaxing way to spend some time in an inspirational setting? Head to the Evanston Art Center, a beautiful stone Victorian right on the Lake featuring gallery space, classrooms, an outdoor picnic area and beach access. The building seems straight out of a Jane Austen novel, with dark wood trim, beige-colored brick and an imposing chimney against a shocking backdrop of blue, framed by trees and a large green lawn that invites leisurely strolling and beckons for a sketch pad.

The gallery space comprises two floors (with wheelchair access for the first floor), showcasing paintings and drawings on white walls above original wood floors. The ground level features two halls, a room surrounded by windows off the main entrance houses a surreal sculpture; a small 2nd floor room is flanked by student-only areas.

The Center offers four outreach programs, classes for adults and kids, books and resources for artists, and highlights local artists in its exhibits. Classes include ceramics, digital arts, drawing and painting, fiber and textiles, sculpture, jewelry making, photography and printmaking. Adult workshops feature glass and tile mosaics, paper marbling, pastel drawing, twig furniture and infrared photography, along with many other interesting options. Youth classes include watercolors, ceramics and drawing, with class sizes limited to 12 to ensure plenty of individual attention.

Centerstage Reviewer: Genevra Gallo