We came here for a sugar skull decorating class by Local Goods Chicago (across the street). They…read moreused North Branch Arts because the class had grown too large to hold at Local Goods. Parking in front of the store was easy and because the class was on a Sunday, parking was free! NBA is huge and the windows provide ample light so you can see your creativity nice and clear. They had it set up with three large tables in the middle of the room with wooden chairs all around. They were relatively comfortable. A decent sink in the back for washing up and lots of great space to work in made this the perfect spot for a class. I would definitely return.

A great little SPACE RENTAL and ART & other ADULT/KID CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AFTER SCHOOL programs &…read moresummer camps, EXHIBITS and EVENTS. A nonprofit with outreach. Easy street & free lot parking. Ideal daytime rental for homeschool groups, meetings, artists, scene rehearsals, etc. A place each member of my family has enjoyed time in. When you see "Art of..." you know it's North Branch Arts.

I have been going to the Mosaic School since January 2025 and have taken 3 classes. The teachers…read moreare great, the atmosphere is welcoming, and I tell all of my friends and family about this place! Nowhere else in the U.S. is there an art school that has such a focus on mosaics. I've learned so much -- they provide the materials and the expertise. I've met some really wonderful people and friends and am already signed up for their stained glass class in September!

Just spent the most amazing weekend at the Chicago Mosaic School. I traveled over 500 miles to get…read morethere and it was well worth my time and effort. I felt the atmosphere to be warm and accepting, accommodating those with little experience and those who spend their lives being creative. It was a perfect balance of informational, historical and hands on Glass work. All my questions were thoroughly answered and I left feeling inspired and eager to utilize what I learned. I would recommend this school to any and all. An added bonus is the eclectic neighborhood, warm and charming teacher, Lydia, inclusive atmosphere and creative vibe that persisted throughout the class.

I take classes here and love it. Love the environment and the teachers are Great. Would recommend…read moreto anyone

Such a cool place and such a cool concept! I've gone to events a few times and the staff has been…read morenothing but sweet and accommodating. We need more places like this in Chicago! The atmosphere and art on the walls is also gorgeous.

After 5:00 summer series Wednesday wine down:I recently visited this Little Black Pearl, and I have…read moreto say the energy when I walked in was great. I was surrounded by such positive, welcoming people of all ages. Throughout the night, we sang karaoke, played cards, shot pool and listened to good music. What really stood out to me was how safe, inclusive, and comfortable the environment felt. Everyone was so kind and genuine. But what truly touched my heart was how the community embraced my brother, who is special needs. There was no judgment only acceptance, laughter, and open arms. For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel like I had to be on guard, watching to make sure he was being treated with respect because everyone just welcomed. It was a relaxing night filled with connection and joy. I would absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, warm, and safe space. Thank you for such an unforgettable expeience.

The organization for which I work recently held an event at Little Black Pearl (LBP). The support…read moreand service we received was beyond stellar! LBP provided the space, catered the food (via their onsite cafe, Carver 47), connected us to amazing balloon and floral vendors, and provided other accoutrements (e.g., tables and chairs, table coverings, a stage, sound and tech support, package management). LBP's one-stop shop especially helpful given that our planning team resided outside of Chicago. There is so much to applaud from the experience: the warm and inviting space exuded elegance; the feast was as beautiful as it was delicious; and the LBP team's interactions with us (from planning to completion) was the epitome of grace and hospitality. They accommodated every request and did so with an exceptional level of excellence. When we asked that the menu include a vegetarian and Halal dish, they ensured guests had multiple options. When we requested assistance erecting our banner, they took on the task of assembling the entire structure, even machine washing and drying it when they noticed a stain. Compared to other spaces we considered (and have used in the past) across the city, LBP's offerings and support stood head and shoulders above and their love was palpable in their attention to details.That they have a heart-centered mission and work in support of youth and community was tasty icing on an already amazing cake. Thank you, Little Black Pearl team, for making our event a world-class experience!

My daughter has been here for two years now and have been extremely happy and has learned a ton…read more The teachers are friendly, there seems to be a great ratio of adults to children, and the staff have been there a long time. They do a lot of art projects, each week has a different theme tied to the projects and learnings. They are very thoughtful with the curriculum and it shows. The place is thoroughly cleaned daily. They have a nice outdoor space and seem to get the kids out unless there's really bad weather. I would recommend!

Our 2 year old has been going to Care-A-Lot for about 6 months, and we absolutely love it. He loves…read moregoing to school (no tears at drop-off!!) and talks about the teachers and his friends constantly at home. They do a ton of cute art projects (which are on display on their windows!), and cute projects for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Every week they have a different theme, so it really changes things up for the kids to talk about new things! The kids learn so much - my kiddo's language has exploded. They had a Picture Day in the Spring where they had professional photos taken, and they were honestly the cutest photos ever taken of my kid. They have a large playset in their backyard so the kids get fresh air and large motor development. (I like that they don't take the kids off-site to public parks like other daycares!!) They also do the sprinkler sometimes in the backyard during the summer so the kids can have some safe water fun. At the end of the day at pickup, you get a report that tells you exactly what they ate and their diaper situation so you know exactly how the day went. The kids are so safe and loved there! It makes it so much easier to work all day and not worry about your kiddos!!

Had a good time at this art museum and gallery. It certainly is a way to know about a local artist…read morewho had a big impact. The Ed Paschke Art Center is the biggest collection of his work. Also it's free. There's a lot of permanent collections, and you can find exhibits by other local artists who come here for training. A few things about him. In 1939 he was born on the North Side. There was early influence by his father who made Disney animation and sketches among other things. After graduating from The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, he got a travel scholarship to Mexico. There he was influenced by the art colors and patterns. He was in the army, making drawings for weapons manuals. Then he started making collages using images from newspapers. He would enlarge and reproduce these using oil on canvas. Then getting his MFA at SAIC, he was influenced by the first museum exhibition held by Andy Warhol. He was getting popular as an artist. Then he also began teaching classes at several universities. Often he would invite students over to his studio, and tell them to grab a brush and start painting on a canvas. The Art Institute Of Chicago had a traveling career retrospective in 1989 that was one of his career highlights. In 2004 he passed away. The city honored him by naming a street after him. A few years later this art center was created by his children and the Rabb Family Foundation. This opened in 2014 and increased the awareness of his work and life. Admission is free. This is because of their commitment to accessibility to the public. In the permanent collection is the Howard Street Studio installation. This reimagines his art studio with unfinished art works, source material, and souvenirs. Basically it's like giving you an idea of how he made art. One can get a sense of his painting techniques, like how he used sponges to get the color and volume. A lot of other stuff in the permanent collection. Vaca Victoria was a part of the 1999 public art project "Cows On Parade." It was one of hundreds of fiberglass cows created by Chicago artists. This used to be on Superior in River North. It was only there a few days. There was controversy about some local gang symbols. It has a head painted like the Bulls logo. The six stars represent the NBA Championship wins. Also there's stuff by other local artists. This has a residency program where they can learn. Getting here is pretty easy without a car. It's located on Higgins by Milwaukee Avenue and the Jefferson Park Metra station. This is easy to get to with public transportation.

I'd love to see more of his exhibits or his artworks. I was awestruck when I come across his art…read moreexhibits at art institute I begged my dad to take me there when I was in high school. There I met Ed Paschke after I grabbed bought art book about him, got his autograph. I treasure this art book with his signature when I greeted him politely and told him my name. ( I wrote it down on note because I'm deaf and too shy to talk. Thank you Ed Paschke. May your colorful spirit in arts live on! I hope or wish to have one of your masterpieces. They are so beautiful and vibrant! I'll post pic once I find my art book.

Greg runs a solid program. He keeps the energy high and makes sure you're not just memorizing…read moredrinks but actually understanding how to move behind the bar. The classes felt like real bar scenarios--fast-paced, hands-on, and no fluff. I appreciated how much one-on-one attention we got, even in a group setting. If you're serious about bartending and want a crash course that actually prepares you for the real world, this is it.

The class was challenging! However I learned a lot for someone that never has bartended in their…read morelife. Greg is very knowledgeable and professional. I definitely recommend his class for beginners. A lot of great advice and real life stories were shared which I thought was interesting. Definitely thinking about coming back for the mixology class!

Go! Visit this place as soon as you can and take a class if you've been curious about stained glass…read moreor fused glass. You might look at the price and turn the other way but the knowledge and care during classes is worth every penny. I took a private class today with Mika and had the best time. Mika was a great instructor and super knowledgeable. I'm excited to take a class again at some point soon.

I was attracted to this place by the gorgeous glass art in the window, and came in to find…read morebeautiful jewelry, suncatchers and other art. I came back with my adult daughter for a fused art class, and Evelina welcomed everyone with wine and appetizers and an explanation of how to make art. There were bins of colored glass in many shapes and sizes to play with. She spent extra time with my daughter who was having trouble letting her creative side out. They made a glass dish together that everyone compliments. Then Jessie began to play with shapes and colors to make a few other pieces. Her confidence came out! I get compliments on the art pendants I created, too. I'll be bringing more friends with me next time!

Note: BYOB (glasses, ice, and bottle opener provided). Alcohol is not sold here, but there is a…read morepackie (liquor store) across the street. Warning: while aprons are provided, acrylic paint stains - wear clothes you don't mind becoming "painter chic" should your brain reach to scratch an itch forgetting what it's covered it. Let me take you back to elementary school art class. Every time I walked into that classroom, I hoped that I would be working with liquid paint, but alas, it was a rarity. I've heard about these paint and sip experiences, and wanted to give it a try for a bit. Recently, I finally had the opportunity to give it a go. It ended up being a fantastic experience! Furthermore, while I wasn't that impressed with my own work while comparing to some of the others in the studio, when I looked at it the next day, i couldn't help but feel at least a little proud of myself. I am still a little shocked that "I made this, and it looks great!" The staff at the studio were all around great! They helped us be as creative as we wanted to be, with some people (including myself) requesting supplemental colors). We were also welcome to add our own elements, or even paint something entirely different. Kudos also to the guide for being loud enough to be clearly heard (especially as someone with hearing loss), and on the instructions being easy to follow. While it would have been nice if the setup was such that her head wasn't in the way while she was painting, I appreciate that this can be hard to accomplish without a bunch of electronics. Finally, as we were all there as part of an organized experience through 222 (dinner with strangers and some kind of event to follow), the staff was also fantastic about incorporating blocks of time for us to take a break, socialize, and change seats, if we so fancied. Thus, I enjoyed myself so much that I am looking at returning at some point in the near future and trying my hand at a different painting. Soon, there will be more art on my walls, and when I have people over, I will be able to proudly tell them that these are things I painted myself (with just a little guidance).

Had so much fun! Our teacher Claire she was awesome. Everything was really well organized. The…read morevibes were amazing. Definitely will be coming more often.