Lillstreet Art Center
Lillstreet Art Center is an arts center in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is one of the oldest and most successful multi-faceted art centers in the Chicago area and its facilities include classrooms for arts education, a gallery, an artist residency program, studio spaces, a cafe, and a community outreach program.
History
The center began as a ceramics studio in a renovated horse barn in Chicago on Lill Street in 1975, Founded by Bruce Robbins, owner of Robbins Clay Co and his partner, potter Martin Cohen,. it started as a ceramics studio known as "Lill Street Studios" with 11 members. After 28 years, "Lillstreet Art Center" relocated to a former gear factory on Ravenswood Avenue in 2003, increasing its space from 17,000 to. The new facility added metalsmithing & jewelry, painting & drawing, printmaking, textiles, glass, and digital arts & photography -- as well as a small coffee shop. Lillstreet hosts studios for more than 50 artists, serves more than 1000 students, and has a summer day camp for kids 6-16.In 2012, a green roof was installed at the center. Also on the roof are about 20 beehives, with honey for sale in the gallery. In 2025, Lillstreet is celebrating 50 years in business.