The Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts

This historic Italianate mansion was built in 1876 as a residence for the William Waller family, who acquired the property from George Dunlap, an executive with the Northwestern Railroad. The Wallers built in a neighborhood that had been destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. By the time the Palette & Chisel acquired the property in 1921, it had become a rooming house for musicians, nurses, milliners, and others.

The first floor features two renovated gallery rooms, a stunning dining room and a library and kitchen area that now displays a permanent art collection. The second floor houses several private studios and a drawing studio. The third floor is for painters, providing great natural light for up to 20 artists at a time. The coach house has several private studios and a sculpture studio. And recently restored Victorian gardens line the courtyard and front of the building.

Painting & Sculpting Demos: Several of our teachers and members will be painting and sculpting from live models in our second floor studio, third floor studio and coach house studio.

Guests are invited to explore the building and grounds, including a Chicago-themed exhibition in the first-floor gallery. Common areas will be open to the public, and many private studio renters will open their studios as well. In addition, several P&C members will be painting, drawing and sculpting in open studio sessions.