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Community. Creativity. Home.

Ragdale is an artists' retreat located on the grounds of Arts and Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw's 1897 summer home in Lake Forest, IL.

The artists' community, which is situated just 30 miles north of Chicago and overlooks 50 acres of prairie, now hosts over 200 emerging and established artists of all disciplines each year.

These writers, artists, and composers come from around the country and the world to work and experience Ragdale's remarkable gifts of community, tranquility, and creativity.



News and Events...

  • Sept. 24 & 25 - Ragdale's Novel Affair -Dinners are filling fast but there’s still time to reserve space at the Novel Affair tables with an award-winning author. More>
    • Click here for a Downloadable Invitation MORE>
  • 2-Day Workshop with Lars-Birger Sponberg at Ragdale. More>