Art Encounter Presents An Evening of Art, Inspiration, and Community Impact

Announcements

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Apr 29, 2025

The artist Joseph Seigenthaler in his studio

By CGN Staff

In one week Art Encounter will host Kaleidoscope 2025, its annual art auction and benefit to support its programming. Tickets sales close this Friday, May 2.

On Tuesday, May 6 from 6–9pm visitors are invited to LeTour Brasserie (restaurateur Amy Morton with James Beard Chef Debbie Gold), in Downtown Evanston to enjoy an evening of specialty cocktails, a French-Moroccan buffet, a silent art auction, and a raffle celebrating all in the name of helping to provide essential funding for Art Encounter's community programming. The event also honors CGN's founding publisher, Natalie van Straaten, and current publisher Ginny Van Alyea.

LeTour Brasserie in Downtown Evanston is the venue for Kaleidoscope 2025

This unforgettable evening of art, inspiration, and impact celebrates Art Encounter's mission to educate, inspire, and connect people of diverse ages and backgrounds through interactive encounters with visual art. Most importantly, Kaleidoscope raises critical funds to support our outreach programs that bring art education and engagement to under-resourced Chicagoland public schools, assisted living and senior centers, and social service agencies including those that serve individuals with disabilities. Kaleidoscope brings together a vibrant community of friends, artists, art enthusiasts, collectors, gallerists, and philanthropists from Chicago, Evanston, and beyond.

Left: Natalie van Straaten; Right: Ginny Van Alyea

This year Art Encounter will recognize and honor three champions of the Chicago and Evanston art communities while raising vital funds for Art Encounter. Art Impacts Honorees Natalie van Straaten and Ginny B. Van Alyea have shaped Chicago’s art scene through Chicago Gallery News (CGN) for nearly 45 years. Natalie founded CGN in 1982, creating a vital platform for galleries, collectors, and artists. Ginny, CGN’s publisher since 2007, has expanded its impact, amplifying artists' voices and fostering critical conversations. Their dedication makes them ideal Art Impacts Award recipients. Community Partner of the Year Andy Vick, Executive Director of Downtown Evanston, has been a steadfast supporter of public art initiatives, working tirelessly to enhance Evanston’s cultural landscape. Through his leadership, Downtown Evanston has championed Art Encounter’s community-driven public art initiatives and strengthened Evanston’s creative identity. Andy’s passion and dedication make him an outstanding recipient of this year’s Community Partner of the Year Award.

Whether or not you'll be at Kaleidoscope in person, you can help support Art Encounter by entering to win one of three prize packages celebrating outstanding local businesses from Art Encounter's hometown by purchasing raffle tickets to win the following prizes:

• Cocktails & Concert at Evanston Space

• Dinner Date at LeTour Brasserie

• Curated Wine Basket from The Wine Goddess

From left: work by Jordan Nickel, Sandro Miller, and Rubén Aguirre

All bidding for Art Encounter's art auction will take place in person at the event, but if you see something you love, you can purchase it now at the buy-it-now price! Online purchasing closes Friday, May 2. Check out AE's website to see 25 works by talented, notable area artists.

Kaleidoscope will provide essential funding for Art Encounter's work throughout the greater Chicago area, which includes educational outreach programs for schools, senior homes, and social service agencies; art discussion programs for the public in artist studios and exhibition spaces; and a local mural program that makes art accessible to everyone in our community.

These programs include:

School Programs providing artist-led workshops, hands-on learning, and field trips to Chicago’s outstanding museums to over 1,500 students annually in under-resourced public schools. These initiatives–including our signature 10-week ARTiculations residency, after-school programs, and more–foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression while complementing and supporting classroom curriculum for young learners who may not otherwise have access to arts education.
Senior & Special Audience Programs providing creativity and connection to seniors, adults with disabilities, and other groups through interactive art discussions, hands-on projects, and more. Engaging with art has been shown to combat isolation, promote cognitive stimulation, and bring joy to participants.
Evanston Mural Arts Program (EMAP) transforming public spaces into vibrant community landmarks, engaging local artists and residents to create meaningful, visually-inspiring works of public art that celebrate Evanston’s diversity and creativity.

Kaleidoscope helps to support and sustain Art Encounter's community mural initiative, educational programs in public schools, local art tours, and more.

In the past year alone, Art Encounter has impacted thousands of individuals, including:

• 880 CPS students through our ARTiculations residency program

• 250 Evanston students from Title 1 schools through free programs for after-school groups

• 110 senior citizens through our program Making for Memory

• 55 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through our program Art for All

• 430 art-lovers and lifelong-learners through our educational art tours and travel programs

• The entire Evanston community through the Evanston Mural Arts Program

Art Encounter's mission is to educate, inspire, and connect people of diverse ages and backgrounds through interactive encounters with visual art. AE believes that there are many ways to see, and that art can be a powerful vehicle to better understand ourselves and the world around us. Founded in 1978, Art Encounter is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering creativity and connection through close, meaningful engagement with visual art. Art Encounter serves thousands of individuals annually, ensuring that art remains an accessible, engaging, and transformative experience for all through three pillars of programming: free, educational Outreach Programs making art accessible for underserved youth, adults, and seniors; unique Public Programs for art enthusiasts, from local art tours to international art travel; and Art Encounter's widely-respected Evanston Mural Arts Program, which has energized Evanston with transformative public art.