20 East Main Street, Lake Zurich, IL 60047  * (847) 550-0016
e-mail: artists@mainstreetartcenter.com

The Mainstreet Art Center is a school of fine art offering classes in drawing and painting for artists of all ages and levels of experience. Open since 1994, Mainstreet attracts students from all over the Chicago area, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Our professional staff of instructors have careers as artists, exhibit in galleries throughout the country, teach workshops and appear in artists publications.

• Drawing & Oil Painting
• Pastels & Watercolor
• Portrait Painting
• Open Studio
• Workshops & Demos
• Frames & Art Supplies

Upcoming Events

Plein Air Only

If you've been out painting en plein air all summer, now is the time to showcase your works, for the whole month of September! Plein air challenges artists to capture a scene simply, clearly, and with impact.  Enter by August 14, 2024. The reception will be on September 7, 2024.
See the prospectus to enter.

Not Your Average Joe

An exhibition of fine art featuring figures and faces in all ways! This is a juried competition with multiple awards. All mediums are welcome. Introduce us to some fascinating people ... real or imagined! Enter by September 14, 2024. The reception will be on October 19, 2024.
See the prospectus to enter.

Upcoming Workshops

2025 Workshops with Visiting Artists:

Dan Beck
Figure and Still Life, March 7, 8 & 9, 2025

Stan Miller
Painting the Portrait and Landscape, April 4, 5 & 6, 2025

Neal Hughes
Plein Air Painting, June 26, 27 & 28, 2025

Marc Anderson
Painting Beautiful Landscapes on Location, September 5, 6 & 7, 2025

Aline Ordman
Creating Dynamic Pastels: Using Abstract Thinking to Create Illustrative Paintings, September 19, 20 & 21, 2025

2024/2025 Workshops with Mainstreet Staff Artists:

Susan Ploughe
Understanding Color, September 13, 14 & 15, 2024

Barb Benstein
Painting Lifelike Animals from Photos, November 8, 9 & 10, 2024

Cheryl Cook
Perspective Drawing Techniques, February 15 & 16, 2025

Susan Ploughe
Portraits: Capturing What Matters, February 21, 22 & 23, 2025

Susan Ploughe
Water Ways, March 21, 22 & 23, 2025

Barb Benstein
Portrait Painting: Portrait Steps, March 28, 29 & 30, 2025

Frankie Johnson
Brush Strokes & Palette Knife Techniques, April 11, 12 & 13, 2025

Frankie Johnson
Watercolor & Pastel: A Match Made in Heaven, May 17 & 18, 2025

Click "Workshops" for full list of scheduled workshops.

Upcoming Mini Workshops

Barb Benstein
Portrait Steps
September 20, 21 & 22, 2024

Cheryl Cook
Figure Drawing
October 5 & 6, 2024 or
March 1 & 2, 2025

Susan Ploughe
Art and Your iPad
October 31 &
November 1, 2024

Susan Ploughe
Getting Started with Gouache
February 28, 2025

Susan Ploughe
Background Check
April 4, 2025