Have you ever wandered around Allerton Park and wondered what the inside of the historic mansion looks like?  Would you like to hear more about the unique history of Robert Allerton and the creation of his estate?  Register for one of our Public Mansion Tours held each month!

Mansion tours start at 2pm and begin in the Gallery of the Mansion.  Tours typically last between 45 and 60 minutes.

$10/person, ages 5 and under are free

Space is limited and tours typically sell out.

(NOTE: If tickets are sold out and you need additional children’s tickets, email Sarah Putman at sputman2@illinois.edu.)

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email Sarah Putman at sputman2@illinois.edu.

Bookbinding for Artists’ Books

Led by: Peter Bushell

Tuesdays: January 16, 23, 20; February 6, 13

5:00-8:00pm

Studio

Registration Deadline: 1/2/2024

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $120/series

Course Description:

This course will introduce you to a variety of binding options for artist’s books that can be produced by hand. Each class will be a 3-4 hour studio experience getting introduced to a particular book style and binding technique; then there will be time for hands-on production. The first class will include a survey of artist’s books and binding styles, as well as an introduction to terms of book anatomy and commercial binding. Subsequent classes will be organized per binding style and allow time for production. Each book produced will be a blank model, but additional discussion will be possible if the student has ideas for further development of books with content.

About the Instructor:

Peter Bushell recently retired from a 29-year career as a graphic design professor from Illinois State University. While there he reveled in teaching students a variety of subjects including typography, image making, mark making and branding, information design, interactive and web design, as well as letterpress printmaking, book arts and book binding. Bushell’s creative efforts in design, book arts, and letterpress printmaking have garnered awards and recognition from regional, national, and international competitions, exhibitions, and publications. Currently he continues to be active as a freelance graphic designer, a book artist, and a letterpress printmaker. Bushell is compelled to create, and in all his creative endeavors—whether graphic design and typography, book arts or letterpress printmaking—he strives for an excellent marriage of concept and form. He is excited for the opportunity to share with you some excellent examples of artist’s books and the practical details related to a variety of binding forms and hopes the lessons you’ll learn in this course will feed your next creative venture into artist’s books and bookbinding.

Afro-Brazilian Traditions – Capoeira Angola & Samba de Roda

Led by: Mark Becker

Thursdays: January 18; February 1, 8, 15, 22

Please note this class does not meet on January 25th.

6:00-7:30pm

Library

Registration Deadline: 1/11/2024; 1 week before each subsequent class

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $25/class OR $100/series

Course Description:

In this course, participants will be introduced to the richness of Afro-Brazilian movement, music, language, and culture through the traditions of Capoeira Angola and Samba de Roda. This course will be designed with all ages, skill levels, and physical abilities in mind and will have a welcoming environment where community members can learn from an instructor with 19 years of experience in a hands-on, active, and joyful space.

Capoeira Angola is a martial art that combines fluid, low-impact movements with music to encourage self-expression and self-control. Samba de Roda is a musical tradition that combines several percussion and stringed instruments in a call-and-response setting that also welcomes dancing from participants. All these traditions have their roots in the Congo region of Africa but were developed and shared with the world in Brazil.

About the Instructor:

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Afro-Brazilian Traditions – Capoeira Angola & Samba de Roda

Led by: Mark Becker

Thursdays: January 18; February 1, 6, 15, 22

6:00-7:30pm

Library

Registration Deadline: 1/11/2024; 1 week before each subsequent class

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $25/class OR $100/series

Course Description:

In this course, participants will be introduced to the richness of Afro-Brazilian movement, music, language, and culture through the traditions of Capoeira Angola and Samba de Roda. This course will be designed with all ages, skill levels, and physical abilities in mind and will have a welcoming environment where community members can learn from an instructor with 19 years of experience in a hands-on, active, and joyful space.

Capoeira Angola is a martial art that combines fluid, low-impact movements with music to encourage self-expression and self-control. Samba de Roda is a musical tradition that combines several percussion and stringed instruments in a call-and-response setting that also welcomes dancing from participants. All these traditions have their roots in the Congo region of Africa but were developed and shared with the world in Brazil.

About the Instructor:

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Saturday, January 20

1:00-3:00pm

Auditorium

$40/person

Registration Deadline: 

Course Description:

This is an acrylic pour painting workshop where participants get to make their very own pour painting while enjoying the company of other participants and wine and other beverages. Participants will get to experience the artistic and spontaneous experience of fluid art. If available for multiple sessions, then different styles will be demonstrated in each session, then participants attempt with my assistance. Methods may include Dutch pour, string pull, and may pour on canvas and/or wooden surfaces. The finished paintings the participants create will be ready for pick up by the day after the workshop, or delivery can be arranged on case by case basis. Paintings will be ready for delivery within a week after the workshop. Participants with latex or food allergies (gluten especially) should alert the instructor as soon as possible after signing up for the course.

About the Instructor:

Alexis Walter of Alexis Walter Creations specializes in abstract acrylic pour painting, but dabbles in other mediums like resin, graphic design, vinyl, and digital photography. She started pour painting in 2020 while completing her B.A. in art history from UIUC. In 2021 she expanded to developing partnership with Loft Hair Salon in Bement to have an art gallery space in the salon to showcase her work in a local setting. In 2022, while completing her M.S. in arts administration from Drexel University, she began working in local vendor events and launching her official website, AlexisWalterCreations.com. Her work can be found on her website, Etsy shop, and in person at Loft Hair Salon. She can be found on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Saturdays:  January 27; February 3, 10, 17, 24

10:30am - 1:30pm

Greenhouse Auditorium

Registration Deadline: January 23

Skill level: Beginner

$235 for all 5 classes

Course Description: 

This 5 week class will encompass all aspects of Beginning Weaving starting with Weaving Terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp Back to Front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, winding bobbins and weaving a table runner.

About the Instructor:

Sharon has been weaving for 33 years and teaching beginning weaving for almost 32 years. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove 2 table runners in 12 approximately 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8 shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels. She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022. Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I at The Farms, and a 2 day workshop in 4 shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Saturdays:  January 27; February 3, 10, 17, 24

2:00pm - 5:00pm

Greenhouse Auditorium

Registration Deadline: January 23

Skill level: Beginner

$235 for all 5 classes

Course Description: 

This 5 week class will encompass all aspects of Beginning Weaving starting with Weaving Terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp Back to Front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, winding bobbins and weaving a table runner.

About the Instructor:

Sharon has been weaving for 33 years and teaching beginning weaving for almost 32 years. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove 2 table runners in 12 approximately 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8 shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels. She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022. Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I at The Farms, and a 2 day workshop in 4 shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Colored Pencil I

Led by: Sally Walsh

Mondays: January 29; February 5, 12, 19; Make up day: February 26*

1:00-3:30pm

Studio

Registration Deadline: January 15, 2024

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $200/series

**Registration without supplies: $155

Course Description:

Exercise your artistic side and learn how to use colored pencil in your art. This art class will meet Mondays from 1:00-3:30 and will teach you new techniques and skills to help make your art shine. Each class will focus on a new topic.

Class 1: how are colored pencils different from drawing pencils, how to draw what you see, layering color, simple objects

Class 2: burnishing, blending, drawing koi

Class 3: landscape techniques

Class 4: drawing glass and reflective surfaces

**Students will need the following supplies.

If you plan to purchase your own supplies, please indicate on your registration

-- mixed media sketch book (spiral bound preferred)
-- a see thru plastic ruler, any color
-- a kneaded eraser
-- #2 pencil
-- Prismacolor (recommended) colored pencils, more than 12 colors.
-- small plastic hand held pencil sharpener

*Please note the final date in this series is a make up class in case a week was cancelled due to bad weather.

About the Instructor:

Sally Walsh is a retired art teacher from Richland Community College in Decatur, IL. She has over 30 years of teaching experience and has led previous art classes at Allerton.