A rendering of “TOWARDS.” (Credit: Samuel Stubblefield)
As the DNC brings national attention to Chicago, a local group is looking to highlight civic issues through art.
“Next Stop: Chicago” is offering a series of public art activations by community-based organizations that address the city’s post-pandemic infrastructure inequity.
“What happens when you invest in infrastructure in communities that have historically been disinvested in, and … what does infrastructure allow?” asks Abby Pucker of Gertie, a civic and cultural agency with a goal of amplifying organizations working to revitalize communal spaces, also known as “third spaces.”
“What does federally funded, city funded, state funded infrastructure allow to happen in communities? And how are creatives really sort of like taking the mantle and really being sort of the catalytic movers when that investment does happen, and how they’re really at the center of building community and building these third spaces,” Pucker said. “We want to sort of lift that up and call that out, and also provide some small funding for them to be able to tell that story in a different way.”
Gertie has awarded more than $400,000 in grants to seven community-lead projects, which have timed activations to run during the DNC from Aug. 19-22. This funding will highlight the intersection of infrastructure and arts through installations and programs that addresses resource allocation and infrastructure inequity.
Program partners include:
Arts + Public Life’s “Homecoming”
The two-day activation from Aug. 20-21 will take place on the Arts Lawn, 337 E. Garfield Boulevard, where locals and commuters can unwind after work. The space was construct as a way to reclaim the idea of leisure on the city’s South Side.
Grow Greater Englewood & Englewood Arts Collective
On Aug. 22, the Englewood Arts Collective will unveil a living sculpture, which will be a part of a larger “We Deserve Beautiful Spaces” public art campaign. This campaign will be launched in conjunction with Grow Greater Englewood’s construction of the Englewood Trail — a $90 million infrastructure project that will connect the South Side neighborhood to surrounding communities in more walkable ways.
SkyART’s “Heart and Craft on Lake”
This arts festival will take place on the 3400 block of W. Lake Street, where they’ll activate a “creative corridor” that will include food, a town hall, a mural unveiling, workshops and other community resources.
Urban Juncture Initiative
The Bronzeville Murals Project will have a series of murals celebrating the neighborhood’s culture in three locations, the Boxville Marketplace and Bronzeville Cooking, both off of 51st Street and King Drive, and The Forum, 318-328 E. 43rd St.
Wabash Lights
The Wabash Lights will be comprised of a 50-foot-long light instillation under the “L” on Washington/Wabash. Designed by Jack C. Newell and Vinod Havalad, the goal is to amplify the cultural identity of the city and its ties to the city’s history with infrastructure and transportation, increase community engagement and promote public safety. This is a permanent addition to the Wabash/Washington station.
AfroDisco Social Hour at Blanc Gallery
Created by independent curators, Nnaemeka Ekwelum and Alexandria Eregbu, who are also co-founders of AfroDisco Social Hour, this event will include “This Heavenly Body,” an exhibition of artist Seed Lynn’s work. Their work explores a political response to the nationwide closures of roller-skating rinks, bowling alleys, amusement parks and other social spaces that promote and facilitate Black gathering and community building. This exhibit runs until Aug. 24 at 4445 S. Martin Luther King Drive.
In addition to these third spaces, you can also check out “TOWARDS,” a series of LED panels being installed in front of Navy Pier. It’s a concept created by Samuel Stubblefield and Michael Murphy Studio. Comprised of community leaders and audio elements, the goal is to celebrate those who are constantly moving forward to make the world a better place despite our society current complexities and challenges.
“TOWARDS” is about encouraging people to think critically about what’s important to them, what they want to go towards in their life, says Pucker.
“Third spaces are really places that continue to exist more permanently, where they can actually go to actually start to realize some of those things in their lives,” Pucker said. “You know because spaces for community, which generally third spaces are, are the places where you find the people who you're going to do your next project with.”
More information about the events and RSVP details can be found at nextstopchicago.co/events.
Follow Angel Idowu on Twitter: @angelidowu3
Angel Idowu is the JCS Fund of the DuPage Foundation Arts Correspondent.
