
January is all about prioritizing health—reducing alcohol consumption and enjoying more mocktails, spending less time lounging perenially on the couch, and getting in touch creatively. However, searching for activities can be daunting. With so many options like painting and ceramics, it can be hard to choose—this is why the new creative workshop series aims to simplify your options.
The pop-up art studio is here on the weekends
The Winter Weekend Sip & Create Series will feature Chicago-based makers—teaching everyday locals looking to channel energy and become an artist. This will take place at Venteux’s beautiful botanical cafe, where the spot will transform into a pop-up art studio for six weekends from January—March 2025.
The programming invites anyone to tap into their inner artist by joining intimate workshops with some of the city’s most exciting up-and-coming makers, learning the craft of natural dyeing using botanicals and kitchen scraps, jewelry making, inlay clay carving, and beyond. The personal workshops will have 5-20 guests and will be held on select days during the weekend in Venteux’s botanically-themed cafe.
The first four workshop tickets are available now via Eventbrite and are priced between $60-70 per person based on medium and materials. Ticket sales are final and include the cost of the workshop and a glass of house wine. If you’re there and start feeling famished, additional food and beverage options are available for purchase during the events.
This year’s artists include botanical dyeing expert Selinger Gonzo, multidisciplinary artist Emilia Chang, Heartnote Parfum co-founders and perfume experts Brynne Labuzan and Kelly Russell, screen print producer Kaitlyn Roberts of Brayer Babe, Monsoon Pottery’s Danielle Chutinthranond, and Lin Bader of Lin Bader Designs.
The Winter Weekend Sip & Create Series is in partnership with Chicago-based Nest Artisan Guild Makers and with support from the Design Museum of Chicago. The full workshop schedule is below, with pricing details and ticket links for the final two sessions to be announced.
Winter Sip & Create Workshop Artisans dates:
- Saturday, January 18 | Selinger Gonzo, Natural Dye Workshop
- With Selinger’s expertise, create one-of-a-kind botanical-dyed wearables and learn the techniques of bundle dyeing with flowers and common kitchen scraps.
- Saturday, February 15 | Emilia Chang, Candle & Candle Holder Painting Workshop
- Emilia Chang will guide her guests in creating a pair of their own custom-painted candle holders and matching candles. Experiment with bold colors and patterns, resulting in a ready-to-light piece of art that ushers warmth into its surroundings.
- Saturday, February 22 | Brayer Babe, Screen Printing Workshop
- Follow Kaitlyn’s lead and learn the art of screen printing. Create a “Babes Support Babes” t-shirt perfect for the spirit of Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day. Guests will be able to take their fashion pieces home the same day.
- Saturday, March 1 | Danielle Chutinthranond, Blue & White Clay Carving Workshop
- Danielle Chutinthranond of Monsoon Pottery specializes in making porcelain dinners and housewares in her West Town studio, inspired by Asian art history, Chinatown, and food and restaurant culture. In this workshop, she will show the inlay technique and teach participants to carve a porcelain plate of their own. Additional plates to carve will be available to purchase for $40 each. Pickup or shipping options will be available. Please note that this workshop will take three hours from 6-9 p.m. And each plate takes 2-3 weeks to fire and finish.
- Friday, March 7 | Lin Bader, Gemstone Necklace Making Workshop
- Lin Bader is the founder of Lin Bader Design and specializes in 22k gold and silver granulation, filigree, wax carving, and more. Her workshop includes a brief history of gemstone beads, tips on how to identify natural beads, and different categories of man-made and treated gemstones. Guests will go through a variety of natural gemstones and their healing properties to select two strands with multiple techniques, be guided in prepping the beads and cord, and string and secure the necklace. Students will also learn to stamp their own initials on silver or gold-filled discs and attach them to their jewelry. Each student will go home with one finished gemstone necklace with three charms, note cards with their healing properties, and gift boxes.
- Saturday, March 8 | Brynne Labuzan, Unisex Perfume Making Workshop
- The perfume experts of Heartnote Parfum will guide guests of all genders on a journey of bespoke scents and complementary styles of perfumery. Learn the basics of perfume and test a variety of scents as you find and bottle your perfect blend. This workshop is unisex and open to all, and participants will leave with a 50 ml bottle of their personalized perfume and have their formula saved in Heartnote’s database for future refills.