Free; drop-in, registratio…Family Events · Saturday, November 14, 2026
Family Day: Seeing the Invisible World to Build a New One
About
Families peer at prepared slides through pocket-sized paper microscopes and sketch what they find in their own sketchbooks, in a science-meets-art morning led by UChicago scientist Jotham Austin II, PhD. There's a scanning electron microscope talk and demo from 11am to noon and a strawberry DNA extraction from noon to 1pm. It runs 10am–1pm Saturday at the Smart Museum, 5550 S Greenwood Ave (Metra Electric 55th-56th-57th St); free and drop-in, with registration encouraged. The museum's next Family Day is Dec 12.
Good to know
Read off Smart Museum’s own page. Times and prices can change; the venue’s page wins.
How it compares
- Kids & families
- Weekend
- Take it home the same day
It is free. Most painting classes in Chicago are not: the paid ones we list start at $5.
If one session leaves you wanting more, 1 studio we list runs multi-week painting courses, from $325.
Other painting classes in Chicago
- Ghostly GardensPinot's Palette Logan Square · Northwest SideFRI, OCT 23 · $45
- Make & Paint a Charcuterie BoardColor Cocktail Factory · West Loop & Near WestSAT, OCT 24 · $80 per ticket / $55 per ticket
- Watercolor Workshopindigo & violet studio · North SideSUN, OCT 25 · $70
- Drawing the Facial FeaturesThe Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts · Downtown & Near NorthMON, OCT 26 · $250.00
New to painting?
Painting and drawing classes run from relaxed one-night sessions that guide you to a finished canvas to multi-week courses in watercolour, oils, figure drawing or illustration.
- Guided one-night classes suit groups and first-timers; courses suit people who want to improve.
- Figure-drawing sessions use a live model and are usually for adults only.
- Materials are usually included in one-off classes; courses often send a supply list.
Taking it home: The same day, though acrylic and oil may need a few hours to dry before they travel well.
Questions people ask
When is Family Day: Seeing the Invisible World to Build a New One?＋
Where is it held?＋
How much does it cost?＋
How do I book a spot?＋
What else is on at Smart Museum of Art?＋
Help keep this right
Know something we don’t about Family Day: Seeing the Invisible World to Build a New One?
Locals and regulars know things no website prints. Tell us — a person reads every note, checks it, and fixes the page.