ARTREACH / FIRST SLICE CAFE
Artreach
Artreach at Lillstreet is dedicated to bringing hands-on art experiences into your community. Whether your community is an elementary or high school, a nursing home, a church, an afterschool group or something completely different, we are there for you. Or take an on-site field trip to our sister organization, Lillstreet Art Center. Artreach at Lillstreet is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization providing low cost, high quality arts education and public art programs for people and communities in need and we believe all communities need art. We serve more than 5,000 youth and adult students per year with hands-on experiences in ceramics, painting & drawing, puppet & mask making, and more. We are making art and expression more available, especially to groups who often lack a voice in our society.
Founded in 1989 in response to a lack of ceramics education in schools, our programming has grown to include painting & drawing, fibers, printmaking, metalsmithing, glass, and more. Artreach programs are funded in part by generous support from: The Boeing Company, Chicago Tribune Foundation; The Coleman Foundation; The Estate of Ruth & Joseph Rossi; the Illinois Arts Council, a State Agency; Leo S. Guthman Fund; Lillstreet Art Center; Neiman Marcus; Rothschild Fo5undation; The Wrightwood Neighbors Conservation Association; Whole Foods; and many generous, anonymous donors.
First Slice
More than one in ten households in the US experience hunger or the risk of hunger. Many of the affected are children. Studies show that an early childhood spent in hunger creates a higher risk of chronic illness and mental and behavioral problems—often leading to a self-perpetuating cycle of need later in life.
Chef Mary Ellen Diaz knows firsthand about the power of food. Trained at l’Ecole des Arts Culinaires, Diaz loves food for its ability to create connections and memories. She also values nutrition at its purest: comfort food and local organics.
www.firstslice.org