July 2025 Newsletter

Summer is officially here with hundreds of children escaping the heat and boredom by taking FUN classes in Tumbling, Music and Karate! Plus there's exciting renovation work happening right NOW on the MFA Fine Arts Building. Read on for the Deets!

The 21st Le Tour de Shore - What a Fantastic Ride!

What an incredible, amazing, fabulous, thrilling, ~~exhausting~~ (Naah!) bike ride! Words cannot express how thoroughly grateful we are at Maywood Fine Arts to the over 650 riders, nearly 200 donors and dozens of volunteers who helped make the 21st annual Le Tour de Shore Bike Ride an absolute success!! Whether you were peddling in the thick of it or cheering on from the sidelines literally or virtually, we really appreciate your support!

Until next year...Thank you for the 100 Miles of Memories!!

Karate Students Add Another Notch to Their Belts!

On Saturday, June 21, 14 students underwent belt testing at the Stairway of the Stars studio. The seats were jam-packed with family members who were there to cheer on the students as well as Senseis Yolanda and Matthew Hilligoss. Every student was successful in attaining their new belt with a special congratulations going to our longtime Music School instructor, Elizabeth Bewley for achieving her Brown San-Kyuu belt, only the 2nd ever awarded at the Maywood Dojo.

Karate Belt Testing Photos

Grateful for Foundational Support!

Representatives from the Western Cook County Chapter of the Jack & Jill of America Foundation stopped by in May to present a check for $3,542, raised at their Teen Fundraiser benefitting Maywood Fine Arts! We're always happy to receive a grant, but it is particularly wonderful when that grant is awarded thanks to the philanthropic efforts of young people!

Maywood Fine Arts is also grateful to Irma Bates and the Necahual Foundation which recently awarded a scholarship to an exceptional 11-year old student at Melrose Park School, Aavah Jordan. This scholarship covers the cost of a full year of dance and tumbling classes at Maywood Fine Arts, including all fees and expenses related to uniforms and costumes.

Welcome Aavah! We're sure you will fully enjoy your tumbling and dance classes thanks to the Necahual Foundation!

Pardon our Dust during our Summer Facelift!!

Pardon our dust. Maywood Fine Arts is continuing to make monumental improvements to our Tumbling Gym, Visual Art Studio and Music School. You may have already noticed new entryways, but we are currently installing 30 new windows and exterior lighting to the building at 25 N. 5th Ave, further beautifying the Fine Arts Building and making it a safe space for everyone!

Live at the Carnegie Hall!

Not many people are able to say, "I performed at the Carnegie Hall" but Maywood Fine Arts' Music School instructor, Sarah Gruendler-Ladner, sure can!

Sarah is a member of the Heritage Chorale, an Oak Park staple for over 40 years with choir members ranging from ages 15 to 95. This choir was invited by the music production company, MidAmerica Productions, to participate in a five-day residency in New York City, culminating in a final performance at the legendary Carnegie Hall on Saturday, May 24.

During the residency, the choir collaborated with five other musical groups from across the US and Canada on two major pieces of classical music by Mozart and Vivaldi.

Following the performance, the group was treated to a celebratory dinner cruise along the Hudson.

Congratulations, Sarah, on being able to share your love for music in such an unforgettable way!

Get your Healthy Veggies at the Maywood Summer Market!