FreshLens Chicago

Are you coming to the FreshLens Showcase today?

Our students have worked hard all session to learn the basics of photography and print out their best work. Stop on by today. Chat with our students about their work and their journey through photography.

See you there! Details below 👇

Date: Friday, June 5 (today)
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Location: CPC, 4001 N Ravenswood Ave

Please join us for the Opening Reception of the 2026 Spring Showcase featuring the latest graduates from the Basic Program!

Date: Friday, June 5
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Location: 4001 N Ravenswood Ave

To view and purchase their work, please visit the link in our bio! No wall space? Consider purchasing a print or framed print to donate to or to decorate the homes of those receiving housing support.

We hope to see you there!

Party mandatory, pickleball optional.

Ten years ago, we started with a simple idea: put a camera in a young person’s hands and see what happens. What happened was 600 students, 53 zip codes, 550 cameras earned, and a community we could not have imagined back then.

We are celebrating all of it on July 18 at Cheers to 10 Years, our anniversary fundraiser at SPF Chicago. Think drinks, a silent auction, mini games, student work on display, and yes, pickleball.

Pickleball or Party?

Why not both… whatever you choose you’ll be supporting our program. This summer we are throwing a pickleball tournament and party to raise funds for our program.

Every dollar raised goes towards keeping our program tuition free. Photography is an expensive hobby and deters a lot of people from getting into the art form. We are trying to change that.

We provide tuition free classes and teach Chicago high school students the art of photography and other life long skills. Every student who passes through this program earns a camera of their own.

Help support our program by donating or attending our fundraiser.

July 18, 2026
7:00pm - 10:00pm

2121 N Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60614

If you don’t have a pickleball paddle we can set you up with… (swipe over to the next photo)

one of these paddles so you can still support us this summer.

We are having our annual fundraiser to raise funds for our students to keep the program free of tuition!

Come and play some pickleball or just hang out. Details below:

July 18, 2026
7-10pm

2121 N Clybourn Ave

Why you should support FreshLens:

FreshLens Chicago is a tuition-free photography program for Chicago youth who don’t usually get a shot at arts education. For the past ten years, we’ve put cameras in the hands of middle and high school students across 53 zip codes, taught them how to use them, and watched what happens when a kid realizes their perspective is worth something. We’ve served over 600 students, given away more than 550 cameras, and built a community of instructors, alumni, and partners who keep showing up. 95% of our students go on to college. 98% say the program made them more creative. Photography is the doorway, but what we’re really building is confidence, voice, and a sense that the city belongs to them too. That work runs entirely on the people who believe in it. Supporting FreshLens means a kid gets a camera, a class, a gallery wall with their name on it, and ten more years of this.