If you’re looking to get creative and learn more about the art scene in Westmont, visiting a family-friendly gallery, studio, or art show can be a fun, rewarding way to spend an evening or afternoon. The Westmont area is home to plenty of arts organizations that uplift artists in the Chicago suburbs and even offer you a chance to give painting, pottery, or jewelry-making a spin. Whether you’re looking for a workshop your little ones can enjoy or an art exhibit the family can take in, we’ve gathered some of the best ways to support local art in Westmont, Illinois.

Create Your Own Masterpiece at The Painted Giraffe

Photo via Flickr by USDAgov Licensed Public Domain

The family can try acrylic painting or ceramics with a class at The Painted Giraffe. Professionals teach beginner-level courses, breaking down the artistic process into small, actionable steps. You can learn a specialty skill, like glazing, with one of the studio’s workshops, or you could just follow a simple tutorial to paint a simple image on a canvas with the canvas acrylic painting classes. The class even has snacks and drinks, which are included in your admission price. You can review their class offerings online to find one suited to your family’s background and abilities.

The studio is also open Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and you can book a time to enjoy the facilities independently. The family-oriented studio even schedules events for parents and children to work together on a project according to skill levels. Creating your own work of art at The Painted Giraffe is a family-friendly activity you can enjoy for years to come. After your class, bring home everybody’s artwork to display around your house as a memento of the quality time spent together experimenting with a new skill.

Explore Independent Art at Cruisin’ Nights

On Thursday nights in the summer, downtown Westmont goes back in time to celebrate classic cars of yesteryear with Cruisin’ Nights, and on special Thursdays, independent artists display their work alongside the cars at the Creative Arts Network Art Shows. Cruise through the historic architecture of downtown Westmont while enjoying some of the best pieces by local artists. You can enjoy the warm summer weather, get in some exercise, and connect with your local community by spending a Thursday evening downtown this summer.

To display your or your kids’ artwork, you can reach out to local organizers to sign up. While the Creative Arts Network hasn’t yet announced dates for this summer, these shows typically are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and happen one or two Thursdays each month from June to September. While you’re downtown, you can enjoy live music, grab a bite to eat from vendors and restaurants, and learn more about Chicagoland’s best art and automobiles. If car enthusiasts in the family enjoy a Mustang more than a Monet, these shows offer a compromise that can keep everyone entertained.

Shop and Learn at TLD Design Center & Gallery

TLD Design Center & Gallery, a local studio and store that celebrates all things artistic, has a location in Westmont and another in nearby Berwyn, Illinois. If you’re looking to learn unique skills and make one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, TLD Design Center & Gallery might be your next destination. The center offers classes in a variety of specialized artistic disciplines. Their calendar features classes and workshops in areas like:

• Glass bead-making.
• Felt making.
• Collages.
• Knitting.
• Jewelry-making.
• Sewing.
• Soaps and candles.
• Weaving.
• Textile surface design.
• Spinning yarn.
• Hat-making.

There are also special classes for kids, so your little ones can create items that capture their personal style, like decorated journals, clay pens, scarves, bracelets, and purses. TLD Design Center & Gallery also features the artwork of professional artists in their gallery exhibits, which typically celebrate a singular theme and change every one to two months. If your family wants to practice skills like weaving and knitting at home, you can shop for at TLD Design Center & Gallery. Their shop sells tools, equipment, and supplies, big and small, from beads and yarn to spinning wheels.

Marvel at Stained Glass Works at Gallery’s Choice

If you don’t mind a short drive, you can get to Gallery’s Choice in Downers Grove, Illinois, in around 10 minutes, and this dynamic local gallery might be worth the extra effort. Gallery’s Choice commits itself to celebrate art from Illinois creators, with over 75 local artists contributing to the exhibits. You can explore watercolor paintings, oil paintings, jewelry, metal sculptures, and ceramics at the gallery, but Gallery’s Choice is beloved for its vivid, shining stained glass pieces. 

You can support artisans by purchasing their items, too. If you need something to liven up your home, you could consider a watercolor painting from a local artist. Bath products like soaps, body scrubs, and bath salts are available, and you can even give a loved one a handmade piece of jewelry. There are classes in painting, glass, and jewelry-making, so you can test your skills if you’re feeling inspired. Gallery’s Choice tailors their classes to different age groups, so you can book a class for kids if you want something even your youngest artists can handle.

A family-friendly village with a cozy feel, you know Westmont for its lively local community and busy social calendar. Celebrating the arts is a great way to get involved with some of the more unique corners of Westmont’s local culture, and it can be a fun and educational opportunity for kids to engage in their creativity and critical thinking skills. If we missed a great spot to catch some local artwork with family and friends, reach out and we’ll add it to our list.

If you’re looking for a place where your toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners can grow their minds, build relationships, and experiment with new skills, visit us at Crème de la Crème. Our educational programs, before and after school care, and summer camps blend learning, artistic expression, and outdoor activities to help children develop healthy habits. To schedule a tour of our Westmont, Illinois facilities and learn more about our engaging and comprehensive approach to your child’s development, contact us today.