Lindsay Ambrose | Oak Park Arts District

Register for a Summer 2024 French class with l’Institut français d’Oak Park!

by Lindsay Ambrose | Apr 29, 2024 | Arts Music Culture, Blog

Summer is a great time to start learning French or progress from your current level by taking a six-week French class with l’Institut français d’Oak Park! Registration opens on Monday, April 29 for classes that will take place from June 11 through July 17 in the Oak Park Arts District.

Start learning French with Le Débutant or build your French vocabulary, conversational fluency, and comprehension with Le Touriste, Le Globetrotteur, or Le Découvreur. Visit our website for session details and course descriptions.

For more information, subscribe to our email list, visit http://www.frenchinstitute.net or follow l’Institut français d’Oak Park on Facebook and Instagram.

What’s Blooming on Harrison 2024 – Lineup Announced! 🎶

by Lindsay Ambrose | Apr 27, 2024 | Blog, Events, Festival, What's Blooming

What’s Blooming on Harrison 2024 – Lineup Announced! 🎶

Get ready to celebrate spring at the annual What’s Blooming on Harrison, happening RAIN OR SHINE on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in the vibrant Oak Park Arts District! From 11 AM to 7 PM, with our Beer Garden and Music Stage jamming out until 9 PM, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Here’s what’s on tap for this year’s festival

Art & Craft Galore: Wander through over 120 booths featuring the best in local art, crafts, and small businesses at our Vendor Fair.
Live Music All Day: Our Music Stage is set with a full lineup of bands and solo acts ready to rock your socks off.
Feast Your Heart Out: Enjoy tasty food from local restaurants, food trucks, and vendors.
Cheers to Local Brews: Sip on craft beers from the renowned Kinslahger brewery in our Beer Garden.
Family Fun: Don’t miss the Kiddie Carnival with beloved rides, fun games, and fabulous prizes for the little ones.
Art Auction Extravaganza: Take part in our Art Auction where you can view and bid on stunning artworks from talented local artists.

Come out to support the Arts, Community, and the Oak Park Arts District. Bring your friends, family, and festive spirits to enjoy a day packed with entertainment, art, and community vibes.

Stage Lineup is Set

Check out the video below to get a feel for this fun and family-friendly fest!

Thank you to our Sponsors who make this Event Possible!

Save the Date for What’s Blooming on Harrison Street Festival – Saturday, May 18

by Lindsay Ambrose | Mar 23, 2024 | Blog, Events, Festival, What's Blooming

What's Blooming on Harrison Street Festival 2024

Oak Park’s Largest and Favorite Spring street festival is in Full Bloom!

Since 1999, Harrison Street between Humphrey and Culyer is transformed every May with Booths including an art fair, crafter booths, local business booths, food vendors, children’s carnival rides, an art auction, craft beer garden, and entertainment stage for the WHAT’S BLOOMING STREET FESTIVAL.

Showcase your Art, Talent or Business at the Vendor Fair

Unleash your creativity and shine bright at our Vendor Fair! Whether you’re an artist, maker, or a budding entrepreneur, this is your chance showcase your craft to a vibrant community of enthusiasts. We are now accepting Art Vendors, Food Vendors, Community Booths, and Art Auction Submissions for the What’s Blooming. Complete the form by Saturday, April 6, to be included in all the pre-event promotion.

Sponsorship Application

Food Vendor Application

Organization Application

Art Vendor Application

Save the date and gather your friends and neighbors for What’s Blooming

Get ready to enjoy the Oak Park Arts District’s signature event with over 5000 people expected to attend. What’s Blooming is a day filled with amazing artisans and makers tents, fun, food, music, and good neighborhood vibes from 11 am to 7 pm.

As the sun goes down, the tunes crank up, and our craft beer garden keeps the good times flowing until 9 pm.

You don’t want to miss it!

Learn More

Highlights from What’s Blooming!

WOW! Celebrating Women-Owned Works for Women’s History Month

by Lindsay Ambrose | Mar 23, 2024 | Blog, Business, Events, Lifestyle

The Arts District was buzzing with YELLOW on Saturday as shoppers visited the many women-owned businesses in celebration of our 7th annual WOW event.

Celebrating Women’s History and Unique Women-Owned Businesses

Each year in March, the Oak Park Arts District celebrates Women’s History Month with their WOW! Women Owned Works event. Gail Coughlin, owner of Elevate Creative (321 Harrison Street) was inspired to start the event in 2017 after the Women’s March.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to celebrate all the women-owned businesses in the arts district—the most of any business district in Oak Park,” said Gail. “It was not a happy time and I wanted to bring something positive to the neighborhood.” Yellow was chosen as the signature color for the event. “It’s happy and cheerful. It’s bright and attention-grabbing,” said Gail.