DuPage Historical Museum offers folk art workshops

Visitors can discover what folk art is all about by participating in one of the free upcoming workshops and lectures at the DuPage County Historical Museum.

The free workshops are offered in conjunction with the exhibit “Early Illinois Folk Art 1825-1925” running through Sept. 15 at the museum, 102 E. Wesley, Wheaton. The exhibit, featuring objects made and used in Illinois in the 19th and 20th centuries, includes both functional and decorative artwork, from coverlets and decoys to weather vanes and whirligigs.

Create your own cross stitch sample at a free workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 29. The workshop is for the whole family. Additional workshops include tin foil painting on Saturday, July 13, and “Paint a Folk Art Portrait” on Saturday, July 27.

A free evening concert of Mark Twain’s Music Box performed by the History Singers is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20. These events were made possible by a grant from the DuPage Community Foundation.

In addition to the workshops and programs, the folk art exhibit includes learning stations for families to enjoy together. Among the stations are an interactive portrait studio and community quilt. Each learning station draws a connection to items on display.

A commemorative catalog, including photos and details on many of the objects, is for sale in the museum gift shop.

Reservations are encouraged for the workshops. For information about the exhibit and programs, contact dupagemuseum.org or (630) 510-4941.