Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood will celebrate its vibrant art scene by showcasing the work of visual and performance artists in local businesses during the thirteenth annual "Andersonville Arts and Design Weekend" on Friday, October 9; Saturday, October 10; & Sunday, October 11, 2015.
The highlight of Andersonville Arts and Design Weekend is a self-guided art walk on Saturday and Sunday, featuring work from mostly Chicago-based visual artists, shown throughout the neighborhood in restaurants, retail stores and other traditional and non-traditional art spaces. The walk will include a wide variety of painters, sculptors, photographers, and more, ranging from emerging artists to Chicago favorites. This year, there are over 40 participating locations! In addition, admission to Andersonville's beloved Swedish American Museum ( 5211 N. Clark ) is free all weekend ( Saturday/Sunday, 11:00am — 4:00pm ).
Local artists featured during this year's event will include: Andersonville resident and painter/illustrator/chalk artist Carol P. Jarvis showing at the Coffee Studio ( 5628 N. Clark St. ); paintings by Foursided employee and artist Adie Janci showing at Foursided ( 5061 N. Clark St. ); participants in Misericordia's Creative Arts Program showing paintings, ceramics, bead work, prints and more at Murray & White ( 5416 N. Clark ); local favorites Michelle Peterson Albandoz and Michael McGuire at Las Manos Gallery ( 1515 W. Foster ); and, an exhibition of scenes of Andersonville and Edgewater by the Plein Air Painters at the Edgewater Historical Society ( 5358 N. Ashland ). For a full listing of the artists and venues, please visit www.andersonville.org/artsweekend .
The art walk will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11AM — 6PM ( many businesses keep their own hours for the art walk ). Maps will be available throughout the week at participating Andersonville businesses.
The Andersonville neighborhood has long been a favorite among artists. Many regularly show in Andersonville businesses throughout the year. One of Andersonville newest additions, Cantina 1910, is a perfect example of this symbiotic relationship. On a visit to this new farm-to-table Mexican restaurant, you can take in the breathtaking atrium lighting installation and dining room focal point fixtures made by local lighting artist Ted Harris from discarded objects ( even debris from construction ). You'll sit at tables constructed by Square Nail Chicago, made from wood reclaimed from the original building that would otherwise have been discarded in the gut renovation, and eat tacos from custom-made pottery comals by ceramicist Amanda Gentry. There are also several interior and exterior murals, as well as space on the restaurant walls for local artists to display their work on a rotating schedule. The SoFo Tap, a neighborhood bar down the street also owned by the Root Collective, also has a rotating Featured Artist Program.
FEATURED EVENTS DURING ANDERSONVILLE ARTS WEEKEND:
Night of 100 pARTies!
Friday, Oct. 9 from 6:00-10:00pm
Always one of the busiest nights of the year on Clark Street, the weekend begins Friday, October 9 from 6:00-10:00 pm as over 35 Andersonville businesses feature great art, refreshments and entertainment during "Night of 100 pARTies"! There will be many artist receptions, including at the Andersonville Galleria, Brimfield, the Coffee Studio, City Olive, Notice, SIR Spa, and newcomers Norcross & Scott. During the evening, patrons can watch artist demonstrations by Foursided employee and artist Adie Janci ( at Foursided, 5061 N. Clark ), as well as painter and illustrator Erin L. Burke ( at Milk Handmade, 5137 N. Clark — also featuring KOVAL Distillery tastings ). Vignette Vignette, Andersonville's new community art space will be celebrating their grand opening with music and refreshments, as well as a pottery wheel demonstration from 6:00-9:00pm. Other Andersonville businesses featuring live music, artist demos, or entertainment during Night of 100 pARTies include Cassona ( 5241 N. Clark ), Mercantile M ( 5409 N. Clark ), Room Service Chicago ( 5438 N. Clark ), the Semeiotic Gallery at First Free Chicago ( 5255 N. Ashland ), and the pH Comedy Theater ( 1515 W. Berwyn ).
Explore historic Andersonville
Friday, Saturday & Sunday at Room Service Chicago ( 5438 N. Clark )
In addition to hosting artists Lisa Carter and Rick Gleeson, Room Service Chicago will also be displaying a special exhibit of historic neighborhood images from 1965 on the lower level of their shop. Many of these images have been displayed this summer in businesses throughout Andersonville — celebrating both the 50th anniversary of Midsommarfest and of the neighborhood being named "Andersonville" — and they will be coming together in one place for a final viewing to mark the end of our year of celebration.
Contribute your own local art to a local business
Saturday, Oct. 10 from 1:00-4:00pm at Candyality ( 5255 N. Clark )
Help put the finishing touches on Candyality's newest store. They'll bring the canvas and paints...you channel your inner Monet, as they ask you to create a self-portrait based on your love of candy-or really anything sweet! Don't be shy, they'll provide you with some inspiration ( candy )! All portraits will be part of a permanent installation in the Andersonville shop.
Take a piece of Andersonville Arts Weekend with you
Saturday, Oct. 10 & Sunday, Oct. 11
Get a caricature by Notice employee and artist, Jeff Lassiter, for $10 each on Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-6pm ( Notice, 5028 N. Clark ). Lisa Carter will be doing 15 minute pen and ink portraits in-store on Saturday and Sunday ( Room Service Chicago, 5438 N. Clark ).
Yes, Andersonville!
Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7:00pm
The pH Comedy Theater ( 1515 W. Berwyn ) is performing a special, one-night-only reprise of their original musical comedy about Andersonville's fictional history. Come laugh out loud ( we did ) and learn about the Vikings, Swedish settlers, architects, and lesbians that made Andersonville the special place it is today — 75 minutes ( PG-13 rating ). Tickets $15.
In addition, the pH Comedy Theater is offering 2-for-1 tickets to their regularly-scheduled live improv shows ( Bad Advice, Midnight Oil, and pHamily the Musical ) or one free kid ticket to their family show ( Adventure Library ) during Arts Weekend when you show an Arts Weekend brochure. Find their schedule at www.whatisph.com .
For an Andersonville Arts Weekend schedule and a complete list of events and performances, please visithttp://www.andersonville.org/artsweekend or call 773/728-2995 x.103.
Andersonville Arts Weekend is a program of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and is generously supported by the Andersonville SSA #22 and presenting sponsors: Cantina 1910, Foursided, North Side Federal Savings and patron sponsors, Murray & White, Norcross and Scott
