LILLSTREET ART CENTER

At Lillstreet Art Center we  have studio spaces with over 35 different artists.

Click here to see a sampling of those artists. Artist Studio's are open to the public, so please stop by and check out the amazing artwork being made here! 

 FEBRUARY 3RD, 6:30 - 9PM IS THE NEXT LILLSTREET STUDIO FIRST FRIDAYS

Lillstreet's Studio Member of the Month

Elena Rakochy - Studio 205E (Second Floor)

Artist Statement

Making art allows me to explore how the different aspects of life affect people’s decision-making process, and more specifically my own choices. My work is primarily organic, inspired by nature and by the natural connections that we have with other people and our surroundings. What most interests me is how relationships that I have with other people, with my community and my environment, and with myself, influence how I make my decisions. My sculptures interact both with the spaces they occupy and the spaces they create: just like people have to consider both their surroundings and the effect they have on what is around them.
I love to take the jumbled up thoughts in my head and translate them into sculptures.

Bio
Elena Rakochy grew up in multicultural Evanston, Illinois in a close-knit blended family of Ukranians, Jamaicans, and Jews. She received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Knox College and her MFA in art from Indiana State University. She is a respected visiting art instructor, having taught at both Knox and South Suburban Colleges. Elena is currently a teaching artist with Kidstreet at Lillstreet.  She is dedicated to pursuing the good life as a working studio artist.

When she is not in the studio, Elena is a student of Catalan, the language spoken by the people who live in and around Barcelona, Spain. Elena is also passionate at play. She is an avid fan of Chicago professional sports, a successful back yard gardener and a recreational duplicate bridge player.

Ceramics Studios
Lillstreet Studios is a unique community of more than 35 artists working side-by-side on the second and third floors of the Lillstreet Art Center. We have semi-private studio spaces available for ceramic artists. A variety of kilns are available for studio artists to use such as: gas (Cone 04-10), electric (up to Cone 6) and soda. Glaze materials are available for purchase here at the center. To apply, please submit an application to Eric Tschetter at eric@lillstreet.com for more information.

Metalsmithing Group Studio
Looking for a place to create with more privacy but not quite ready to venture out on your own? The Group Metals Studio is a great opportunity to work in a more private space. With 24 hour access, the studio is equipped with jeweler's benches, flexible shafts, a rolling mill, guillotine shear, acetylene torches, drill press and an assortment of hammers, dapping punches and metal blocks. Studio members provide their own hand tools. Group benches available for $160 per month. Note that the room may be used on occasion for workshops, but studio members will be notified two weeks in advance. To apply, please contact Pam Robinson at pam@lillstreet.com.