Join Me in Our Community.

My commitment to my community is strong and intentional. I want to give back to the community that has given me so much. As a resident of both River Forest and Oak Park for over three decades, I have served on many boards and committees. I am currently serving as the President of the Oak Park Arts District and Vice President of the OPRF High School Imagine Foundation Board. Additionally, when it comes to real estate, I am passionate about preservation and restoration work. I believe in following your passion and doing what you can to make the world around a better place.

Enriching the Community

When my husband and I arrived in Oak Park in 1991, we rented our first apartment in what is now known as the Arts District Neighborhood. Back then, the storefronts along Harrison Street between Austin Blvd. and Ridgeland Ave. were largely vacant. Almost immediately, I began getting involved with other concerned neighbors to see what could be done to revitalize our neighborhood. In 1998, my husband and I opened Buzz Cafe, in part, to bolster the effort to revitalize the area.Along with other building and business owners, we founded an organization to continue to build up the area. Today, we are formally known as the Oak Park Arts District Business Association. We work to support and encourage businesses within our District. I have served as President for the last 15 years. www.oakparkartsdistrict.com

Local Color Fine Arts Showcase

In 2023, I founded Laura Maychruk Real Estate and set up an office in the Arts District. I felt that my space should not be a typical office space. Instead, I wanted to do my part to encourage and enhance the local arts. Today, I use my space as a gallery, hosting local artists with monthly shows and events.

September 5-26 Phyllis Frick

October 3-31 Dave Ferguson

November 7-December 19 (TBD)

Phillis Frick
Sept 5th to Sept 26th

Phyllis Frick, lifelong resident of Oak Park, has had a passion for art, particularly collage, since her mother provided her with a collage box and sketchbooks as a small child.

Phyllis has had many jobs and careers throughout the years, but art has been the one consistent thing in her life that has allowed her to express herself creatively. After retiring as a science teacher she has started a new business mixing art with science and teaching children fine arts out of her home studio.

Frick Kids Art offers myriad art lessons, camps and events. The mixed media paintings and collages in this exhibit are all based on places and on maps, both of interior and exterior places Phyllis has visited many times both in Oak Park and on vacations and trips with her husband John.  

926 Columbian Avenue Restoration Project

I recently bought a “new” house and I have begun an extensive restoration project. The home was originally built between1925-1927. I am documenting the process and showcasing all of the local tradesmen, artisans and craftsman in our community that help make this possible.
Follow along on my YouTube documentary.