Stay in the Know With the Latest News From Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center
Tubman-Kahlo Resource Center
We are looking for Miracle Workers to form committees to develop every aspect of the Tubman-Kahlo Resource Center. This includes the vegan cafe, Spoken Word Youth Program, flower shop operated by adults with intellectual disabilities, thrift home furnishings store staffed by formerly homeless people, Frida Kahlo patio, Business Incubator Program, lounge area with computers and books, referral office to help people find resources including medical referrals, rooftop garden, solar panels, and the soup kitchen.
Annual Youth Art Fest
The annual Youth Art Fest will take place on August 29, 2020, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Peace Park at the corner of 21st and S. Spaulding. Youth and adults are invited to come together and encourage the talents of youth (art-making, music, dance, acting, etc.). Check out the Upcoming Shows page for details on the art contest that takes place that afternoon.
Board of Directors
Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center is looking for new board members! We use art/discussion to help people improve their lives and bring awareness to social justice issues. We have several programs including the women’s residence, creating Peace Parks from vacant lots, Youth Art Fest, Christmas giveaways, animal welfare, supporting community development, bringing programs to other sites, and more. If you think you know someone or would like to nominate yourself, contact us via email at contact@urbanartretreat.com. Click here to learn more about this position and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Peace Park Project
Help us create Peace Parks. We transform vacant lots into parks and honor black heroes. Volunteers come together Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Please RSVP at contact@urbanartretreat.com. No experience is necessary to participate.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
Each year the nonprofit organization, Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center plans a gift giveaway on December 24 for needy families in North Lawndale. Families sign up ahead of time and tell us their kids’ names, genders, and ages. We start collecting gifts months ahead of time. Many individuals and businesses give to the cause. Volunteers store things in our Santa’s hide-out until the week before. We bring them in, transform the art gallery and front hallway into Santa’s wonderland of gifts. On December 24, families come in during their appointment times. We elves are happy to make others happy!
Volunteer Orientation
Our organization is totally run by volunteers! Attend an orientation on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. by RSVP to contact@urbanartretreat.com. We ask that you choose any Saturday that works best for you and that you wear a mask. To find out information about volunteering and volunteer positions, click here.
Dreams and Visions for the Future of North Lawndale
The picture of the dilapidated building is not far from Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center. We met in the gallery at CUARC to offer our dreams & visions for the future of North Lawndale. Here is some of what we came up with during the creative imagining session:
In a word what is your vision for North Lawndale?
Vibrant, family, safety, litter-free, artistic.
Words to attract businesses to North Lawndale:
sorely needed, people deserve a change, upcoming stable neighborhood, convenient, gentrification, underserved community.
Who lives in North Lawndale?
Deep-rooted generational folks, hardworking, desire for change, looking for better options, people who need your projects & services. low-income people, low-income seniors, devoted Christians, and others.
What do I want North Lawndale to look like?
Clean, beautiful, green, full, with proud property owners and a community that is family-oriented. A safe environment, rehabbed brick and stone buildings, and with new single-family homes and three commercial districts.
When you walk through the neighborhood what feelings would you like to have?
Friendly and open, comfortable, awe, accountability, sunny, happy, peaceful, proud.
What do you want your neighbors to look like?
Happy, relaxed folks who are part of the solution not part of the problem. Loving and respectful of differences, caring, doesn’t matter how they look just so long as they are neighborly, the whole world, diverse in age/race/religion, willing to become involved in the community.
Poems We Wrote That Day About North Lawndale:
You and me
how happy we will be
when the hood is clean and everyone is friendly!
North Lawndale’s empty spaces
to accommodate new development
that is coming it’s way
good for North Lawndale.
The future of North Lawndale’s
is as bright as it can be
we only have to wait
and we will as soon see.
The true future is insignificant
it is today’s dreams that
shape tomorrow’s activities.
Lawndale is a place to see
history, strength, longevity
moving upward convenient to all
New businesses, give us a call.
Friendly, greeting people
adorable, charming families
peace, safe in neighborhood
happy, fun in North Lawndale.
What Does North Lawndale Need to Move Forward?
Jobs, self-motivated people, good promotion, community volunteers, recycling, clean up, common platform, trust, commitment, become known around Chicago, block clubs, more businesses.
NEXT –
We plan to continue to take part in the organization North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC) that is now organizing for change in the neighborhood! We have worked with NLCCC for 4 years planning for community improvement.
The Women’s Art Show
The Women’s’ Art Show features women homage art and what concerns them. It is on display during February & March.
The Spring National/International Art Show
The Spring National/International Art Show features art by artists from anywhere but Illinois! Artists from other states and other countries are included in a large group show in the gallery. We have a chance to see what artists from far away are concerned about. During December and January, we offer Art As Gift Art Show in the gallery for people shopping for presents! We also offer information on how to find support as an artist, where to exhibit, art organizations, how to hang your art and present it, online presence, and more.
Contact us for more information (contact@urbanartretreat.com). Plus, see our gallery page on this website to find out how to apply to be in group shows here!
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