Blog: South Chicago Art Center

Current 2011 Blog Entries

This blog will be going on hiatus. Sad? Don't be because you can still read all about Art Center happenings on our Facebook page!

Thursday, May 5, 2011 ~ Poster Contest Winner

Nakiasia by her poster
An Art Center participant was the 1st place winner of the poster contest for The Tenth Ward Green Summit. Nakiasia Mosby, age 14, won with her colorful painting of a green scene. She was invited to the Green Summit's Kick-Off Event on Friday, April 29th. Nakiasia was presented her award and got to get up in front of everyone to read a speech she wrote about what "being green" means to her. She received a $50 gift card for winning. Congrats Nakiasia!

	An Art Center participant was the 1st place winner of the poster contest for The Tenth Ward Green Summit. Nakiasia Mosby, age 14, won with her colorful painting of a green scene. She was invited to the Green Summit's Kick-Off Event on Friday, April 29th. Nakiasia was presented her award and got to get up in front of everyone to read a speech she wrote about what "being green" means to her. She received a $50 gift card for winning. Congrats Nakiasia!

Friday, April 22, 2011 ~ Interactive Exhibit at the MCA

This week public school students are on Spring Break.
On a very rainy Tuesday, we took a field trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art. We viewed and interacted with the "Without You I'm Nothing: Art and Its Audience" exhibit. Kids had a great time climbing in the artwork, listening to music, and making some art. We also saw the Jim Nutt exhibit.

at the MCA

Monday, April 4, 2011 ~ Ticket Sale Proceeds Benefit the Art Center

Whole Foods has graciously offered the Art Center the proceeds from ticket sales of the South Loop Film Festival. All attendees will receive a swag bag full of goodies. Space is limited but tickets are available online or by calling 312-435-4600.

What: 2nd Annual South Loop Film Festival (showing of short films from local, independent filmmakers)
When: Thursday, April 28th
Where: Icon Theater on Roosevelt Road
Price: $10, with proceeds going to the Art Center

Go and support local, independent filmmakers as well as the Art Center!

Film Poster

Monday, March 28, 2011 ~ *Cancelled* Cheese Event this Saturday

The Cheese Event is cancelled this Saturday.
So sorry for any inconvenience this caused as this was beyond our control.

Cheese Event on April 2nd

Friday, March 18, 2011 ~ More In-School Critiques

We are finishing up the in-school critiques. Today, teacher Maria Villarreal lead critiques at George Washington Elementary. These second graders had a lot to talk about when critiquing their artwork. They were really excited to share what they had created with their fellow classmates and even got to use the SMART board.

Art Critique

Friday, March 11, 2011 ~ Classes & Workshops For Your Special Event

Did you notice the new "classes" tab on the navigation menu?

We offer art classes and workshops at special events like birthday parties. What a great way to help support a good cause while exposing young children to the possibilites of art! To read more about it, click the "classes" tab.

Friday, March 4, 2011 ~ In-School Critique

This school year, we've started a new evaluation process with the help of a professional evaluator. Part of this new process involves a critique at the end of an in-school program. Random students are chosen to get up in front of class to discuss their art project and show what they've learned.

Kids enjoyed showing off what they've been working on for the last 3 weeks of the program. Plus, it's always good to work on public speaking skills!

These particular pictures were taken at Gallistel Elementary Language Academy
A student during critique

critique class

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 ~ Get Your Van Gogh On!

Charle's Class
Yesterday, kids were inspired by Vincent van Gogh. Charles DeShields (a former AmeriCorps member at the Art Center) teaches every Wednesday after school. He discussed Van Gogh and his life and then showed kids a sample he created of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Students used paint mixed with flour to create their own interpretations of Sunflowers. There were some beautiful paintings created!

Charle's Class

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011 ~ Garden Grant Winner

Kids in Garden

Our Artists' Garden has been selected from over 1,200 inspiring kids' gardening programs from all across the country as a winner of the 2011 Youth Garden Grant. Our program is one of the five grand prize winners!

Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 ~ Valentine's Day Party

Yesterday we celebrated our Valentine's Day party. Sarah made homemade frosting and dyed it different colors. Kids used the frosting to decorate sugar cookies. We played musical chirs, limboed, and even debuted a new game at the Art Center-- Who Do You Love? It was a hit!

Cookie decorating

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 ~ Ice Skating

Shorty after Halloween kids start asking if we are going to go on an ice skating field trip. This year we did, for the third year in a row!

On Friday, January 28 we took the metra to 59th street and walked to Midway Plaisance. We had some "first timers" who did really well. Everyone had a lot of fun as can be seen by this YouTube video.

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011 ~ Challenge Grants

The Art Center has received 2 Challenge Grants totaling $25,000. Any new or increased giving from individuals will be matched 100%.

So, if you didn't give anything last year, and give $100 this year, it will be like giving the Art Center $200. If you gave $200 last year and give $300 this year, $100 of your donation will be matched. To read more, click here.

Now is the perfect time to give! Last year we reached nearly 1,500 children with our much needed programs.

Challenge Grants

Friday, Jan. 14, 2011 ~ Uriah & Gabby

We had two great interns at the Art Center from September through November. Uriah and Gabby are high school students at Young Women's Leadership Charter School. They helped us with office work, organizing, and helped the younger kids with art. We are glad we got to know them and wish them much success in the future!

Interns

Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 ~ After-School Program Starts

After-school classes start up again next week! To see the calendar, click here.

After-School Hat Project

Tuesday, Dec.28, 2010 ~ Thank you to holiday gift givers

Some generous donors provided Art Center kids with Christmas gifts this year. Times are hard, especially in South Chicago, where many kids receive little, if anything, during the holidays.

Some donors include: Josh Vincent, Lisa Tasner, Family Dental in South Chicago, and South Chicago Chamber. Sarah, Kris & Beth at the Art Center chipped in as well to provide gifts.

Thank you for making this time a little brighter!

holiday gifts

Wednesday, Dec.22, 2010 ~ Making holiday trees

Posing with tree
Kids are getting in the holiday mood at the Art Center. Maria V. taught a tree-making class. Many of the children do not have Christmas trees at their homes so this was a way for them to create their own. The trees turned out beautiful!

We also threw a special holiday party for the kids. Decorating cookies, playing games, and having a dance contest were on the agenda.

The Art Center wishes everyone a safe & happy holiday season.

Posing with tree

decorating cookies

Wednesday, Dec.15, 2010 ~ Sarah Ward '87

Sarah is featured on her alma mater's website, St. Paul Academy & Summit School. To check out this quick read, click here.
St.

Thursday, Dec.9, 2010 ~ Pictures from Event

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone who came out this past Saturday for our 10th Annual Art Open House. It was the first truly snowy day of the season but our supporters still braved the elements.

Kristen Jacobson once again did a wonderful job catering the event with her delicious homemade treats. Thanks Kristen!

We still have some artwork for sale (see blog post below)
so check it out to support a worthy cause.

Art Open House

Tuesday, Dec.7, 2010 ~ Artwork for Sale

Thanks to everyone who came out for our
10th Annual Art Open House (pictures coming soon)!

If you missed it, we still have artwork for sale. Click the link here, to get to our Facebook page. They make great holiday gifts!

Monday, Nov. 22, 2010 ~December 4th Art Open House

We are gearing up for the big 10th Anniversary of our Art Open House! The Art Center is transformed into a gallery and friends/supporters are invited to come down and celebrate with us. Feel free to join us on Saturday, December 4th from 1-3pm. We hope to see you there!

This week public school students are on Spring Break. On a very rainy Tuesday, we took a field trip to the Museum of Contemporary Art. We viewed and interacted with the "Without You I'm Nothing: Art and Its Audience" exhibit. Kids had a great time climbing in the artwork, listening to music, and making some art. We also saw the Jim Nutt exhibit.

We are finishing up the in-school critiques. Today, teacher Maria Villarreal lead critiques at George Washington Elementary. These second graders had a lot to talk about when critiquing their artwork. They were really excited to share what they had created with their fellow classmates and even got to use the SMART board.

Did you notice the new "classes" tab on the navigation menu? We offer art classes and workshops at special events like birthday parties. What a great way to help support a good cause while exposing young children to the possibilites of art! To read more about it, click the "classes" tab.

	Yesterday, kids were inspired by Vincent van Gogh. Charles DeShields (a former AmeriCorps member at the Art Center) teaches every Wednesday after school. He discussed Van Gogh and his life and then showed kids a sample he created of Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Students used paint mixed with flour to create their own interpretations of Sunflowers. There were some beautiful paintings created!

Yesterday we celebrated our Valentine's Day party. Sarah made homemade frosting and dyed it different colors. Kids used the frosting to decorate sugar cookies. We played musical chirs, limboed, and even debuted a new game at the Art Center-- Who Do You Love? It was a hit!

After-school classes start up again next week! To see the calendar, click here.

	Kids are getting in the holiday mood at the Art Center. Maria V. taught a tree-making class. Many of the children do not have Christmas trees at their homes so this was a way for them to create their own. The trees turned out beautiful! We also threw a special holiday party for the kids. Decorating cookies, playing games, and having a dance contest were on the agenda. The Art Center wishes everyone a safe & happy holiday season.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone who came out this past Saturday for our 10th Annual Art Open House. It was the first truly snowy day of the season but our supporters still braved the elements. Kristen Jacobson once again did a wonderful job catering the event with her delicious homemade treats. Thanks Kristen! We still have some artwork for sale (see blog post below) so check it out to support a worthy cause.