What was started almost 20 years ago by a small group of friends with a passion for art collecting is now 80 members strong. We visit the art-filled home of Patric McCoy of Diasporal Rhythms.
Stories by Angel Idowu
Meet the Chicago Artist Behind ‘Grace and Frankie’
Lily Tomlin plays an artist on the popular Netflix series “Grace and Frankie,” but she isn’t creating the art. It’s actually made in Chicago by artist Nancy Rosen. We visit her studio to learn more.
MSI Chicago Celebrates 50 Years of African American Artists
Chicago artists talk about the long-term impact of the museum’s annual Black Creativity exhibit.
Nike Lab Pays Tribute to Picasso Sculpture with a Chicago Twist
Art installations with a Chicago sporty twist are on display throughout the Navy Pier exhibition as part of the NBA All-Star weekend.
Folded Map Project Highlights Chicago Segregation, Gentrification
Chicagoan Tonika Johnson is using photography to educate people on the disparities she’s noticed within neighborhoods throughout the city.
Husband-and-Wife Duo Opens Design Center on South Side
A Chicago couple are turning their dreams into reality with a design center on the city’s South Side. It houses everything you need to recreate your home, from appliances to artwork and everything in between.
Passion for Design Leads to Career in Handmade Leather Goods
A Chicago leather craftsman is wrapping up his first year as an entrepreneur creating leather products in the form of shoes, bags and even greeting cards.
New WTTW Partnership with Free Spirit Media Promotes Media Literacy
How an After School Matters program is helping Chicago students discover their passion for storytelling.
‘American Medina’ Shares Personal Stories of Muslim Chicagoans
An exhibit at the Chicago History Museum highlights the experiences of Muslims in Chicago through audio interviews, photographs, videos, artwork, maps and everyday objects. We go for a look.
Native American Jewelry Tells ‘Stunning Stories’ of Indigenous People
At the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, more than 80 pieces of Native American jewelry reveal cultural history and spiritual beliefs. How this wearable art helps preserve indigenous stories.
12-Year-Old Jahkil Jackson is Helping the Homeless, Inspiring His Peers
A young Chicagoan is celebrating the season of giving year-round with his “blessing bags.” Jahkil Jackson tells us about his mission to help the homeless and his recent appearance on Marvel’s “Hero Project.”
Gumball Machine Pays Tribute to Art-O-Mat With a Poetic Twist
If you spent any time as a child at the Chicago Cultural Center, you might remember the Art-o-mat machine that dispensed a piece of art in exchange for two tokens. That same machine has inspired a new concept for storytelling through poetry.
Beatboxer Finds New Sound in Opera by Chicago Composer
For years, beatboxer Nicole Paris and her dad Ed Cage have awed audiences with their beatboxing battles as Nicole and Popz. Paris recently broke from that duet to take on a feat of her own: beatboxing in an opera.
Chicago Dance Companies Unite for Black Dance Legacy Project
Eight of the city’s most prominent dance companies are coming together for a one-night-only concert this week with a single mission: to celebrate the legacy of black dance in Chicago.
Inside Nevermore Park, Hebru Brantley’s New Immersive Experience
Chicago artist Hebru Brantley has created works for some of Hollywood’s biggest names, and now he’s bringing some of that work home. We explore his new exhibit, Nevermore Park.
Chicago Sinfonietta Celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights
The nation’s most diverse orchestra is working to push the boundaries of how classical music is presented by incorporating dance into its next concert.
Front Lawn Art Installations Pay Tribute to Late Chicago Artist
Late Chicago artist Sabina Ott created the nonprofit Terrain Biennial, a public art event that invites participants to display site-specific exhibits in their front yard.
Cathy Marston’s Adaptation of ‘Jane Eyre’ Heads to the Joffrey Ballet
In “Jane Eyre,” Cathy Marston said she creates movement based on quotes taken directly from Charlotte Bronte’s 19th century novel.
Free Art Collections at CPS Based on Unique ‘Art Subscription’ Model
Nearly two dozen Chicago Public Schools have received free art collections since the beginning of the school year. How a local nonprofit is able to provide these collections with the help of its “art subscription” concept.
Riccardo Muti Leads Community Rehearsal with Chicago West Community Music Center
Young musicians and a singer from the Chicago West Community Music Center get a chance to rehearse with Maestro Riccardo Muti, music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Mobile Museum Stops in Chicago to Preserve Family Histories
The Smithsonian makes a stop in Chicago with its museum on wheels, aiming to bridge the digital divide. We give you a tour.
A Shipping Container Gets New Life as Lawndale Pop-Up Spot
How some West Side residents are hoping to change the narrative of their community with a new safe space in the form of a museum.
High School Bands Ready for Battle at Chicago Football Classic
The Chicago Football Classic brings historically black colleges and universities to Solider Field for a football game – and so much more. We introduce you to two of the schools competing in a battle of the bands.
‘The Founders’ Art Project Connects Communities Along CTA Green Line
An interpretation of Chicago’s founders has been floating across the city in an effort to connect communities from Austin to Englewood. We explore the Floating Museum’s Cultural Transit Assembly.
Grammy-Winning Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey on John Mayer Tour, Family Legacy
He’s been playing the guitar for as long as he can remember. The musical journey that’s led Isaiah Sharkey to share the stage with some of the world’s most prominent stars.
