Past Events at Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center
Past Events
Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center hosts many events in the community. These events range from being educational to social or small to big. Nonetheless, they are always fun to attend. Check out the news page or Facebook page to stay up-to-date with upcoming events and join in on the fun. Some of the past events include the North Lawndale Heritage Quilt Project, and more!
North Lawndale Heritage Quilt Project
Our last community art project was in conjunction with Valerie Leonard, creating “quilts” by everyday people who may each only create one square to contribute. We held several workshops on-site for anyone who wished to contribute to creating “quilt squares” using paper (and watercolors, acrylics, and collage techniques). The theme was African American heritage of North Lawndale.
In addition, we held several workshops for the residents at Sacred Heart Home (a lockdown facility for adults with mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and often additional physical health problems) to create portraits of black Americans. We laminated the works of art (utilizing markers on paper), then attached them to form “quilts.”
We are currently raising money to properly frame the three “quilts” created at Sacred Heart Home, to be hung at Sacred Heart Home. We have been providing off-site programming at this site for over 8 years. Our Have Studio Will Travel program makes sure the residents see us at least once a week for art-making and relaxing.
Juneteenth Celebration
Our celebration of Juneteenth took place in the Peace Park on the corner of 21st and S. Spaulding on June 19th, 2020. Community members joined us to see the art of children about black heroes and the sculpture by teen youth called “Standing on the Shoulders of Those Who Came Before Us.” Those who attended got together and enjoyed lemonade while doing some gardening to celebrate this important day.
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