8 Evenings- throughout July | $450SCREECH!
Summer collective for reuse, education, environment, collaboration, and humanity!
Screech! (Aka Summer Collective for Reuse, Education, Environment, Collaboration, and Humanity) is a month-long art-making retreat for artists, makers, and otherwise creative folks.
This program is a self-funded residency and will take place in the evenings during the month of July, with each week featuring demonstrations, skillshares, and lectures from teaching artists and guest speakers. At the end of the summer, the participating artists will -
Put on a group art show featuring their work
Be invited to install their pieces in The WasteShed Chicago’s Glass Case Gallery.
This year's Screech! theme will be Urban Ecology! Inspired by our scavenging, alley dwelling, and ever-resourceful non-human neighbors, our summer cohort will spend the month learning, exploring, and making art in response to Chicago's built and wild ecosystem (and everything in between). Screech! Artists will be tasked with creating a small collection of artwork (3-5 unique pieces) over the course of the summer in their chosen medium(s).
When:
Mondays and Wednesdays in July (starting July 6th)
(6pm to 8pm)
Where:
The WasteShed Chicago (1754 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL)
Cost:
$450
When is the application due?:
May 15th
When will I know if I’ve been selected?:
May 30th
You should apply to Screech! If you…
Have a project in mind or are looking for the space and encouragement to work on your art
Make art about Chicago/the Midwest and want to learn more about the local ecosystem from a unique perspective
Want to make creative friends and form community in adulthood
Are seeking to capture a sense of wonder and meaning in your everyday lives
Want to grow as an artist in a semi-structured but supportive environment with professional opportunities
Are 22 or older
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This summer's guest line-up so-far:
Plant dye skill share by nature artist Katelyn Patton
Guest lecture by Urban Wildlife Institute Ecologist Mason Fidino
Fine Art Demonstration from artist Emilia Chang
Natural broom making workshop with Artist Earl Mitchell
Visit and talk with Christina Harber, VP of the Chicago Ornithological Society
And more!
In addition to twice weekly classes during July, participation in the retreat includes:
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Materials
In addition to all materials for the classes being provided, you will also get access to a free library of reused materials curated by WS staff. Plus 10% off all materials at both WasteShed locations during July and August.
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People
Meet and work with a community of fellow artists, makers, and creative folks looking to screech into the void, together :)
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Learn & Create
Access lectures, demonstrations, and skillshare opportunities from an interdisciplinary cohort of ecologists, artists, and practitioners.
Screech! participants will also have access to open studio time on weekends at the WasteShed in Humboldt Park during July and August. -
Opportunities
Participants will have the opportunity to submit and show their work during the Screech! 2026 show opening at a participating art gallery (location TBD).
In addition, you’ll be invited to exhibit and sell work in the WasteShed’s Glass Case Gallery during the fall season.
Meet your Screech! Guides:
Emily Prescott is the Program Director of The WasteShed Evanston in addition to being a long time arts educator with a love of community arts education. She brings several years of experience in non-formal arts education, including:
-As a nature educator with the Park District of Oak Park
-Designing and leading youth programs at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation where she served as a museum education fellow
-Teaching arts camps and classes at FAME Center, a community arts nonprofit in Chicago
-Working with elders as the program director of a local memory care and assisted living community
Emily holds two bachelors degrees and an MA in Arts Education from SAIC. Her personal art practice centers on craft traditions and their connections to environment and community. She works in ceramics, sewing, quilting, fiber arts, printmaking, collage, and creative writing.
Laura Petersen is the Program Director of The WasteShed Chicago. She has a BFA in photography and fiber material studies from SAIC. Prior to the WasteShed, Laura worked in fabrication. Her personal hobbies include sewing, paper mache, and building weird objects (a very large, not so useable slingshot).
Cost and Perks
100% of the funds generated by the Screech! Summer Artist Retreat goes towards paying collaborators and supporting The WasteShed’s mission to divert reusable materials from landfill, provide accessible services, and promote creative reuse through education and community engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unfortunately we cannot offer scholarship for Screech. This is our first year running the program. Check back next year!
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Applying is simple! To get started please fill out this form.
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Some will! We are going to try to meet up outside for some of the sessions. We want to take inspiration from the city wildlife around us.
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ABSOLUTELY! This retreat is for varying levels of experience. As long as you identify as someone who makes art or crafts you can apply!
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Yes! Screech is designed for people who are past college age.
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No, but you can! We want to create a space for you to think of, create, and flesh out a piece of art. If you have something you have been working on and you want feedback and help with that works too.