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New Century Art Guild Inc

LXCL:New Century Art Guild transforms veterans' lives through art — professionally, recreationally, and therapeutically. We offer career guidance, creative workshops, exhibition opportunities, veteran artist grants, and a peer community built by veterans, for veterans. Open to artists at every level, from first-timers to working professionals. By Veterans. For Veterans. Open to All.

Intro to Art: Observational Sketching In Partnership with Wounded Warrior Project Some things don&#39;t have words. Art can hold what language can&#39;t. This workshop takes place inside Breaking the Silence, our exhibition of veteran-made work at Oak Park Art League. Instead of walking past the pieces, you&#39;ll sit with them. Professional artist and veteran, Michael Bever will get you started on the basics of observational sketching, then set you loose. From there, the space is yours: choose a piece that pulls you in, find a spot, and sit with it. Just you, a sketchbook, and whatever in the room speaks to you. You&#39;ll learn to look closely, translate what you see onto paper, and work through the exhibition as both viewer and maker. What You&#39;ll Learn:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fundamentals of observational drawing</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Techniques for capturing form, shadow, and composition from a real subject</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How to sketch quickly and loosely versus slow, detailed studies</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Using the gallery space itself as a working studio</li></ul>No experience necessary.&nbsp; What&#39;s Included: All supplies needed Cost: Free and open to all&nbsp; When: Thursday, August 20, 6:00 &ndash; 8:00 PM Where: Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL This is a special one-time event, part of our monthly workshop series and held in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project during Breaking the Silence, our veteran art exhibition running through September 6. A special thank you to Wounded Warrior Project for partnering with us on tonight&#39;s event. Two organizations, one shared commitment: standing with veterans and service members, however that looks, on canvas or off. New Century Art Guild transforms veterans&#39; lives through art. By veterans, for veterans.

Intro to Art Workshop: Observational Sketching

Join us for our Introduction to Art workshop focused on observational drawing! This hands-on workshop, led by Chicago-based artist and Army veteran Ray Doeksen, will teach you fundamental techniques for seeing and translating what&#39;s in front of you onto paper. Ray will guide you through exercises in observation, proportion, and perspective. You&#39;ll learn how to break down complex subjects into manageable shapes and develop your eye for detail. Whether you&#39;re drawing from life, working with grids, or exploring other approaches, this workshop gives you practical tools to improve your drawing skills. What You&#39;ll Learn:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Observational drawing techniques</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Understanding proportion and perspective</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grid techniques for accurate drawing</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How to see like an artist</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Building confidence with pencil and paper</li></ul>No experience necessary. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to play with materials. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in developing their drawing skills in an accessible, low-pressure environment. What&#39;s Included: All supplies needed Cost: FREE for veterans, dependents, and caregivers $10 for general public (covers all supplies) Next Workshop: Photography - July 12, 12-2pm This is part of our monthly workshop series, held the second Sunday of each month, with each session exploring a different artistic medium. Whether you&#39;re looking to develop new skills, connect with fellow veterans, or simply enjoy a creative afternoon, you&#39;ll find a welcoming community here. About Your Instructor: Your instructor for this workshop is Ray Doeksen, a Chicago-based artist and Army veteran who specializes in bricolage&mdash;transforming found and everyday materials into sculptural art. Ray served with the Michigan and Illinois National Guard, deploying to Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division in 2003. His work explores the creative potential hidden in overlooked objects, from cardboard and hardware to industrial remnants. Ray&#39;s teaching style is hands-on and experimental, encouraging participants to problem-solve creatively and see familiar materials in new ways. New Century Art Guild transforms veterans&#39; lives through art. By veterans, for veterans.

Intro to Art Workshop: Drawing

Join us for our Introduction to Art workshop as we explore sketching and watercolor! This hands-on workshop, led by professional artist and veteran Michael Bever, will introduce you to fundamental drawing techniques and the beautiful, expressive medium of watercolor painting. Michael will guide you through basic sketching principles and show you how to bring your drawings to life with watercolor. You&#39;ll learn brush techniques, color mixing, and how to work with the unique properties of watercolor paint. Whether you want to capture landscapes, still life, or abstract forms, this workshop gives you the foundation to start your watercolor journey. What You&#39;ll Learn:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Basic sketching and observation techniques</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Watercolor brush control and application</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Color mixing and layering</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How to work with watercolor&#39;s fluid, spontaneous nature</li></ul>No experience necessary. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to play with materials. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in exploring drawing and painting in an accessible, low-pressure environment. What&#39;s Included: All supplies neededCost:&nbsp;$10 for general public (covers all supplies)FREE for veterans, dependents, and caregivers Next Workshop: TBD - June 14, 12-2pm This is part of our monthly workshop series, held the second Sunday of each month, with each session exploring a different artistic medium. Whether you&#39;re looking to develop new skills, connect with fellow veterans, or simply enjoy a creative afternoon, you&#39;ll find a welcoming community here. About Your Instructor: Your instructor for this workshop is Michael Bever, a U.S. Army Ranger veteran and professional artist based in Chicago. As NCAG&#39;s Chicago Area Artistic Director, he leads monthly workshops helping fellow veterans discover creative expression through art. Michael&#39;s teaching approach combines technical skill-building with the understanding that comes from shared military experience, creating a welcoming space for veterans at any skill level. New Century Art Guild transforms veterans&#39; lives through art. By veterans, for veterans.

Intro to Art Workshop: Sketching + Watercolor

Join us for our Introduction to Art workshop as we explore the creative potential of cardboard! This hands-on sculpture workshop, led by Chicago-based artist and veteran Ray Doeksen, will teach you how to transform everyday materials into three-dimensional art. Ray specializes in bricolage&mdash;the art of creating from found and overlooked materials. In this workshop, you&#39;ll learn basic cardboard construction techniques including cutting, scoring, slotting, and joining to build your own sculptural piece. Whether you want to create something functional, whimsical, or experimental, Ray will guide you through the process step by step. What You&#39;ll Learn:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">How to attach cardboard using flanges, slots, and L-braces</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Scoring and bending techniques for dimensional forms</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Basic structural principles for cardboard construction</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Creative problem-solving with simple materials</li></ul>No experience necessary. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to play with materials. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in exploring sculpture in an accessible, low-pressure environment. What&#39;s Included: All supplies neededCost:&nbsp;$10 for general public (covers all supplies)FREE for veterans, dependents, and caregivers Next Workshop:&nbsp;Collage - May TBD (second Sunday TBD due to Mother&#39;s Day), 12-2pm This is part of our monthly workshop series, held the second Sunday of each month, with each session exploring a different artistic medium. Whether you&#39;re looking to develop new skills, connect with fellow veterans, or simply enjoy a creative afternoon, you&#39;ll find a welcoming community here. New Century Art Guild transforms veterans&#39; lives through art. By veterans, for veterans.

Intro to Art Workshop: Cardboard Sculpture

Join us for the first workshop in our Introduction to Art series! This hands-on acrylic painting workshop welcomes artists of all skill levels to explore creative expression in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Professional artist and veteran Michael Bever will guide you step-by-step as you create your own acrylic painting. No experience necessary&mdash;just bring your curiosity and willingness to try something new. All supplies are included. This is the first of our monthly workshop series, held the second Sunday of each month, with each session exploring a different artistic medium. Whether you&#39;re looking to develop new skills, connect with fellow veterans, or simply enjoy a creative afternoon, you&#39;ll find a welcoming community here. What&#39;s Included: All painting supplies, canvas, and materialsCost:&nbsp;$10 for general public (covers all supplies) FREE for veterans, dependents, and caregivers Next Workshop: Cardboard Sculpture - April 12, 12-2pm New Century Art Guild transforms veterans&#39; lives through art. By veterans, for veterans.

Intro to Art Workshop: Acrylic Painting

Breaking the Silence is a veteran art exhibition coming to Oak Park Art League in August 2026 &mdash; and it starts with you. Your donation helps put veteran artists on the walls of a professional gallery: supplies on the tables, lights on in the studio, and space where their stories can be told on their own terms. Every gift supports the artists making this show happen &mdash; and the community that shows up around them. Visit the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.ncagchicago.org/programming/breaking-the-silence-veteran-art-show" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Event Page for Breaking the Silence</a> for more details.

Breaking the Silence is a veteran art exhibition coming to Oak Park Art League in August 2026 — and it starts with you.Your donation helps put veteran artists on the walls of a professional gallery: supplies on the tables, lights on in the studio, and space where their stories can be told on their own terms.Every gift supports the artists making this show happen — and the community that shows up around them.Visit the Event Page for Breaking the Silence for more details.

Breaking the Silence Fundraiser

New Century Art Guild transforms veterans&#39; lives through art. Your support funds free workshops, exhibitions, and career resources that help veterans heal, connect, and build new possibilities through creative expression. Every contribution directly supports veteran artists and programming:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">$10 covers art supplies for one workshop participant</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">$25 provides materials for an entire workshop session</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">$50 funds exhibition materials and artist support</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">$100 sponsors a full monthly workshop for all attendees</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">$250+ supports an artist exhibition or grant</li></ul>New Century Art Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Your support makes our mission possible. By veterans, for veterans.

New Century Art Guild transforms veterans' lives through art. Your support funds free workshops, exhibitions, and career resources that help veterans heal, connect, and build new possibilities through creative expression.Every contribution directly supports veteran artists and programming:$10 covers art supplies for one workshop participant$25 provides materials for an entire workshop session$50 funds exhibition materials and artist support$100 sponsors a full monthly workshop for all attendees$250+ supports an artist exhibition or grantNew Century Art Guild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.Any amount is greatly appreciated. Your support makes our mission possible.By veterans, for veterans.

New Century Art Guild Inc

New Century Art Guild Inc

Past events

Past events

Intro to Art Workshop: Observational Sketching

Intro to Art Workshop: Drawing

Intro to Art Workshop: Sketching + Watercolor

Intro to Art Workshop: Cardboard Sculpture

Intro to Art Workshop: Acrylic Painting

More ways to support us

Breaking the Silence Fundraiser

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Support Veteran Artists

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