Programs | Creative Arts Expression

Hands on creative activities and groups

View Our Calendar

Advanced Improv Club

2nd Monday of the Month | 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Virtual

Gilda’s Improv Club is a time to connect with other members, laugh, play, and celebrate our creativity. This group will focus on Chicago long-form improv comedy, teambuilding, and group play. There are no mistakes in improv – come and make up characters and stories with your friends! We may also watch comedy specials, attend shows, and consider performing as a group.

Requirements: Previous improv experience at Gilda’s Club Chicago or improv theater. Please reach out to Kat Bovbjerg at katbovbjerg@gildasclubchicago.org if you would like to participate in this group.

Facilitator
Kat Bovbjerg

Art of Resilience Gallery

Art therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool for individuals impacted by cancer, offering a creative and emotional outlet to process the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. It provides a safe space for patients and their families to express feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that may be difficult to put into words. Engaging in artistic activities like painting or drawing can help reduce stress, alleviate symptoms of depression, and promote a sense of control in a situation that often feels overwhelming.

At the GCC Art of Resilience gallery, located on the 2nd floor of the Downtown Clubhouse, the healing power of art is celebrated each year. Members are invited to submit artwork they have created through the numerous GCC art therapy programs, showcasing their journeys and strength. This inspiring collection is unveiled at an art gallery opening in the late spring, offering a moment of reflection, connection, and empowerment for both artists and attendees.

If you would like to participate in this year’s Art of Resilience, [click here].

Art Therapy [Individual]

Art is therapy! Each week, our caring art therapists conduct individual art therapy projects with those receiving treatment at the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine. To request a session, please email alivernasco@gildasclubchicago.org or talk with your healthcare provider.

You don’t have to be “good” at art to benefit from art therapy. In fact, to simply make art is to be good at it. Art therapy provides joyful healing, self-confidence, inner peace, problem solving, and communication.

Artes y Manualidades

sábados | 13:30 – 15:00 | Virtual

Acompáñanos para el arte que puede hacer desde la comodidad de su hogar. Los proyectos utilizarán elementos comunes que se encuentran en su hogar para crear algo maravilloso. La instrucción se dará en español, pero todos son bienvenidos.

Saturdays | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Virtual

Join us for art you can make from the comfort of your home. The projects will use common items found in your home to create something wonderful. The instruction is Bilingual English/Spanish, so all are welcome.

 

Community Art

Mondays | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Virtual

This group has evolved to focus on building skills with a diverse range of art materials. Each session begins with a bit of guidance, followed by time to create, and concludes with an opportunity to share artwork with one another. These sessions offer a welcoming, supportive space for participants to explore their creativity within a community. The group embraces all forms of affordable art-making, encouraging everyone to bring their ideas and a sense of adventure.

Facilitator:
Sophie Canade, LCPC, ATR

Journaling

Thursdays | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Virtual

Journal writing can be a form of meditation, stress relief and self-expression. This class incorporates drawing, mark making, collage and creative writing techniques to give participants the tools and inspiration to explore their creative side.

Facilitator:
Audra Eisin-Banazek, LCPC, ATR

Saturday LIVE! @ ACMC

Join us at the Gilda’s Club Chicago Clubhouse at Advocate Christ Medical Center Outpatient Pavilion (4440 W. 95th, Oak Lawn) on the 4th Saturday of each month for Saturday LIVE! programming! Enjoy a light breakfast, healthy lifestyle activities, and social opportunities with others impacted by cancer.

Parking is easy at ACMC! Free parking is available in Parking Lot D across from the Outpatient Pavilion.

Regular Saturday LIVE Schedule
Please check our community calendar for any cancelations or additions.

  • Reiki Sessions
    9:30 AM – 1:00 PM (30 minutes each)
  • Strength, Fitness, & Fun
    9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
  • Caring Arts: Open Art Studio
    10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Gong Meditation
    11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Saturday LIVE! @ the Downtown Clubhouse

Join us at the Downtown Clubhouse (537 N. Wells) on the second Saturday of each month for Saturday LIVE! programming! Enjoy a light breakfast, healthy lifestyle activities, and social opportunities with others impacted by cancer.

Please check our community calendar for any cancelations or additions.

  • Movement or Meditation Class (ex. yoga, t’ai chi, sound healing)
    10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Caring Arts: Open Art Studio
    11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Getting to the Clubhouse is easy:

CTA

  • Brown/Purple Lines: Merchandise Mart (walk 3 blocks)
  • Pink/Green/Orange/Blue Lines: Clark & Lake (walk 6 blocks)
  • Red Line: Grand (walk 4 blocks)
  • Bus Lines: 22, 37, 65, 156

Parking

  • Street parking (metered)
  • Mart Parc Wells Self Park (401 North Wells; between Kinzie & Hubbard on Wells)
    Bring your ticket to the clubhouse parking validation.

Sharing Notes Music

2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Medicine, 21st Floor of Galter (675 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL)

Join Sharing Notes as they bring the healing power of music to our Gilda’s Club Chicago programming at Northwestern Memorial Hospital!

No registration is required.

Stitchcraft

Come together and share what you are creating with other makers – sewers, knitters and crocheters. All are welcome! This can be a time to share patterns, discuss resources, ask questions or get support to work through the projects that are giving you purpose. 

Facilitator:
Sophie Canade, LCPC ATR

Stitchcraft Offerings

Unleash Your Creativity

Fridays | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Virtual

Art can be great for mind, body and spirit! Chase away the stress of the day and join us in an art group perfect for anyone new to art-making, as well as the seasoned professional. Using simple materials from around the home, we will explore creativity while connecting with others. The motto of this group: There is no wrong way to make art!

Projects will differ each week with materials and desires of the participants in mind.

Suggested materials: Pens, pencils or any drawing materials, paper (scrap paper is fine), scissors, junk mail, old magazines. We will work with whatever you are comfortable with and are inspired by.

Facilitator:
Audra Eisin-Banazek, LCPC, ATR

Registration

In order to stay up to date with any schedule changes, it is highly recommended to register for programs as early as possible. Registration is required for all virtual programming as you will receive your Zoom link via email.