HISTORY

Our Mission: The North Shore Art League is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the human spirit and life of its community through art education and exhibitions.

One of the oldest Art Leagues in the US, founded in 1924 by artists who wanted people of all ages in their community to benefit from the arts, the cultural impact of the North Shore Art League continues throughout the North Shore and beyond. The second floor of the historic Community House, Winnetka is home to the majority of the League’s programming. 

The North Shore Art League was suddenly without a home in December 1930 when a disastrous fire destroyed most of the original Community House. League Members and friends raised $10,000 that was earmarked for a studio room to be permanently allocated for the use of the league. The sky lit studio was dedicated on March 13, 1932 providing artists the coveted North Light for their work. Today, our classes, workshops, and summer camps continue to take place in the original studio built for us all those years ago! The League’s diverse class and workshop schedule balances traditional art topics (Oil Painting, Pastels, Colored Pencil, Pen and Ink, Watercolor, Mixed Media and Drawing) with contemporary takes on Encaustic.