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Constructed in the 1860s, The Dole, a Victorian-style mansion in Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a focal point of the community. The Dole was built by wealthy businessman Charles S. Dole, who had purchased 1,000 acres of land in the area. By the early 1900s, the home was vacant until the estate was refashioned as a country club.

In 1922, the Lake Development Company purchased the property for nearly $500,000. The first order of business was to construct an annex to the mansion, which is now the site of Lakeside Arts Park. The developers eventually turned the property into the Crystal Lake Country Club, the area’s first.

The Dole comprised 44 bedrooms and a ballroom, sun parlor, dining room, reception room, locker rooms, and an outdoor terrace. The club also featured two 18-hole golf courses, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and riding stables. Patrons paid $35 in annual membership dues to access these amenities.

The country club survived the 1929 stock market crash, but remained in receivership until it was sold in 1938. Today, saved by community supporters and operated as a nonprofit, The Dole has become a place where residents can enjoy the Independence Day Lakeside Festival, Music Under the Trees, the Sunday Farmers Market+, and various art exhibits and live entertainment.

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The Dole and Lakeside Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It dedicates itself to preserving the Dole Mansion and the adjoining lakeside property in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The foundation manages several public-facing programs at the mansion, including Creative Arts, Inc. and art classes for children and adults.

Art camps at The Dole are open to children as young as six, while children can begin taking classes at age four. There are many benefits to supporting a child's artistic pursuits and nurturing creative expression. For example, art classes foster creativity in children, which can lead to many advantages throughout life.

According to the Center for Building a Culture of Empathy, studies have drawn connections between creativity and empathy, a psychological resource that reduces stress and powers personal growth. Moreover, according to the Sage Neuroscience Center, individuals who use art as a stress therapy experience significant decreases in cortisol levels. Creative activities can also teach children how to devise and implement out-of-the-box problem-solving skills, which can prove valuable across various professions.

Taking art classes early is also an effective strategy for improving cognitive function. In addition to novel problem-solving, engaging in artistic projects can increase a child's critical thinking and spatial awareness capacity. Art instructors frequently help children develop routines for analyzing a project, creating a plan, and executing their vision, which further enriches cognitive skills.

It can be challenging for individuals of any age to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Art classes provide children with ample opportunities for self-expression, which in turn helps build confidence and self-esteem. As children continue to express themselves through different artistic mediums, they grow more confident in sharing their ideas and emotions in other areas of life.

While art improves self-expression and confidence, art classes can also improve hard skills, such as a child's fine motor functions. Various artistic styles demand precise control over instruments such as paintbrushes and drawing pencils, while other art classes focus on manipulating clay and other sculpting materials.

In addition, children experience social interaction provided by art classes. Social interaction is critically important to a young child's development. It prepares them for many unique exchanges in adult life, such as the complex social dynamics of working in a large office. If children continue to enjoy art as they age, art classes provide opportunities to engage with peers who share similar interests. Some may also pursue the subject as a career.

The most apparent benefit of enrolling young children in art classes comes from exposure to art itself. As children create their pieces, they appreciate the effort and emotion involved in producing art. Some children may develop an interest in art history. In contrast, a painting class might encourage others to pursue different creative outlets, such as writing or music, which fosters an interest in academics.

Creative Arts is just one of several artistic programs based at the Dole. More information about art classes for children and adults, the Farmers Market+ at the Dole, and other events can be found online at thedole.org.
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A Few Benefits of Enrolling Children in Art Classes

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The Dole and Lakeside Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It dedicates itself to preserving the Dole Mansion and the adjoining lakeside property in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The...

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The Dole Mansion is one of the most notable historical structures in the Crystal Lake, Illinois region. The estate has been managed by the Lakeside Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization since 2002. The foundation oversees the mansion, grounds, and several additional buildings. Lakeside Legacy Foundation has further served the community by converting the mansion's former bedrooms into studio residences for local artisans and creative arts professionals. Creative Arts Studio, Inc., a creative arts nonprofit for young children, also uses the studios.

Creative Arts provides more than 40 art classes each week. Students range in age from adults to children as young as 4. Popular classes include Digital Art and Stained Glass, and the studio also provides traditional painting and drawing classes. Instructors strive to help students develop artistic skills while at the same time nurturing their overall creative spirit.

In addition to weekly classes, the nonprofit provides services such as a school break day camp for students ages 6 to 17. Other services range from paint parties for private groups to community art events. Students experiencing financial difficulties can contact Creative Arts to discuss scholarship opportunities.

Creative Arts is not the only artistic community to find a home at The Dole. Clicks Web Design, Inc. is a work-from-home online development team maintaining a photo and video studio at The Dole. The group is dedicated to providing patrons with aesthetically pleasing, professionally designed digital assets, focusing on branding. Clicks offers diverse design services beyond branding and website development, including podcast support, video production, and headshots.

Erin Reed Photography is one of several resident businesses occupying studios at The Dole. Reed's photography services emphasize photos of newborns, senior portraits, and sports photography using green screen technology.

Moth and Moon, Co., is another resident business at The Dole. Owner and artist Sara Jean Stevens produces a variety of murals and other interior paintings, as well as handcrafted goods.

Nancy Merkling Photography Productions excels in commercial photography, including headshots and digital assets for websites. The business is unique because the owner, Nancy Merkling, also offers photography lessons in group and one-on-one settings. Beyond her Dole residency, she conducts travel workshops throughout the United States, from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Lake Tahoe.

Dole residencies are open to artists of all kinds, not just those involved in the visual arts. Guitarist and vocalist Cathy Grochowsky regularly performs at local churches and fundraising events. While she has recorded several pieces of music, she is more interested in sharing her music with people in live performances. Her residency at The Dole allows her to connect and collaborate with other performers throughout the northwest suburbs of Crystal Lake and perform before various local audiences.

In addition, The Dole has extended a residency to artist Bill Gotfryd, known for his watercolors. Gotfryd's art has been displayed as part of exhibitions such as Art of the Land, a fundraiser hosted by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County. More information about the Bill Gotfryd Fine Art studio at The Dole can be found online at thedole.org.The Dole

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Artist Residencies and Studios at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake

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Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, The Dole is a hub for the local community where they can enjoy the Sunday Farmer's Market+