Brushwood Center

11/02/2026

Congratulations to our Ensamble in Residence!

We’re thrilled to share that Black Moon Trio has been named a co-winner of The American Prize in Chamber Music Performance, 2026!

This recognition is an incredible honor, and we’re grateful to share it with the Axiom Quartet. We’re especially thankful to everyone who has supported our work, championed our performances, and joined us in celebrating the music and stories that inspire what we do.

We look forward to continuing to explore new musical possibilities, collaborate with extraordinary artists and composers, and bring our sound to audiences everywhere.

Thank you for being part of our journey!

11/01/2026

Día de los Mu***os|Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday. It’s a time of celebration and to remember loved ones who have passed. In our latest post, Communications Coordinator Abbey Castro reflects on how nature plays a role in this holiday.

🔗 Read the full piece on the Brushwood Blog 🔗

Let us know in the comments who you will be honoring on Day of the Dead 💬⬇

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Dia de los Mu***os es una tradición Mexicana. Es un momento de celebración y de recordar a los seres queridos que han fallecido. En nuestra publicación más reciente, la Coordinadora de Comunicaciones Abbey Castro reflexión sobre cómo la naturaleza juega una parte en esta tradición.

🔗 Lee el artículo completo en el Brushwood Blog 🔗

Díganos en los comentarios quien vas a honrar en el Dia de Los Mu***os 💬⬇

10/30/2026

We are still celebrating our 2026 Smith Nature Symposium! ✨

The 2026 Smith Nature Symposium Awards Dinner on October 10th was an incredible evening celebrating Environmental Leadership Award Honoree Karenna Gore with our generous and dedicated community.

An impactful night spent reflecting on our mission, and hearing from this year’s Environmental Leadership Award Recipient, Karenna Gore.

Thank you to Karenna for reminding us of the importance of our connection, how we all have a responsibility to one another, and nature. 🌲

Thank you to the donors, sponsors, attendees, and supporters who helped make this year’s Smith so successful!

The mission of building a healthier future for all is intrinsic to the work of both Brushwood Center & Center for Earth Ethics! 🌱

Let us all continue to reimagine our place in the future of our planet. 🌎

10/29/2026

Bidding Heeyoung Kim farewell! 👋

A few days ago we wished Heeyoung Kim Heeyoung Kim best wishes on her next adventure. For over a decade, Brushwood Center has had the pleasure and privilege of being the home of the Heeyoung Kim Botanical Art Academy.

Our community members, supporters, and Brushwood friends have been touched and transformed by Heeyoung’s love and celebration of nature and skill for teaching and sharing her knowledge. We are all better for knowing Heeyoung! 🌱

Share a favorite memory or wish Heeeyoung well in the comments below.👇 We will miss you, Heeyoung! ❤️

10/22/2026

2026 Nature-Inspired Holiday Market Submission Deadline! 🎄

Brushwood Center is looking for Artists and Artisans to apply to sell their work at our 10th annual Nature-Inspired Holiday Market. The market will start with a 7-day online sale, Saturday, November 28th – Friday, December 4th, followed by a 2-day in person sale at Brushwood Center in Ryerson Woods on Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6, 2026.

Artists do not need to be present during the in-person sale (we handle everything from set-up to checkout to shipping), though volunteering is highly encouraged.

The majority of your work must be in some way related to nature and/or the environment (subject matter, materials used, function, etc.), but we encourage a wide variety of styles, media and interpretations of that theme.

To learn more and submit by Sunday, October 25th head to the 🔗

Tag an artist below who should know about this call! 👇

10/20/2026

10/17/2026

Community Programs recent recap 🍄‍🟫 →

🌳 🖼️ Forest Bathing & Embroidery with YWCA at Bowen Park. Jess Rodriguez led a short Forest Bathing walk and continued with embroidery with Julia. Thank you for collaborating 🌿

This is a pilot that we hope to explore the connection between Forest Bathing and Art creation.

🎒 LCNN Kids Nature Fun Fest at Harts Woods. Eddie distributed backpacks and created coffee-filter butterflies. Thank you to everyone who attended!

🌊 Veterans’ beach walk at Waukegan Beach. Lisa and Don from the Audubon Society led a guided walk and shared birding expertise.

10/16/2026

The 2026 Smith Nature Symposium Awards Dinner on October 10th was an incredible evening celebrating Environmental Leadership Award Honoree Karenna Gore with our generous and dedicated community.
 
Together, we raised over $275,000 to support Brushwood Center’s work. Thank you to the donors, sponsors, attendees, and supporters who helped make that happen. 🎉

Special thanks to Honorary Chair, Amy Heinrich, Chair Elizabeth Pruett, Board Chair Gail Sturm, the Brushwood Center Board of Directors, and our generous sponsors, ticket buyers, and donors. Your support laid the groundwork for such a successful event. ✨
 
As we approach a new era for Brushwood, we celebrate the many ways that you and so many in our community have been with us every step of the way. 
 
Only last year, we announced the public phase of the ACTIVATE Campaign at the Smith Nature Symposium. It was such an honor and delight to share the progress made since then.

Thanks to your support, Brushwood Center will break ground on renovations this winter. Our expanded and accessible space will be fueled by solar power and designed for the health of people and nature. We would not be where we are without your commitment to Brushwood Center’s mission. Thank you! ❤️

Sign up for the Brushwood Buzz for more updates on events, programs, and our ACTIVATE campaign at the 🔗

10/16/2026