Andersonville Arts Week is Back and Bigger than Ever

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Photo Courtesy of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce

Andersonville Arts Week kicks off today and runs through Oct. 15.  The largest event of this nature for the neighborhood, this six-day celebration will feature nine different art genres, over 70 local businesses, and over 200 artists. Art genres showcased include: visual, theatre, dance, music, handmade, culinary, kids/family, public, and literary.

In addition to the lineup of participating local businesses, Andersonville artist Rosario Rosi has graciously decided to open his art studio for public viewing on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Rosi’s studio at 1508 ½ W Balmoral made headlines last March when a small explosion exposed his many elaborate sculptures hidden within. This will be Rosi’s first time participating in the event. (Artwork is intended for mature audiences.)

Andersonville Arts Week Schedule:

All week: The returning district-wide self-guided art walk will feature artists on display in pop-up gallery fashion at more than 50 locations. Artists have been hand selected by participating businesses, and can be viewed here.

Barrel of Monkey’s

Tuesday, Oct. 10:

Arts Week kicks off with a focus on theatre. Join Raven Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, and Barrel of Monkeys for the Arts Week Theatre Crawl from 7-10 p.m..  The event kicks-off at Raven Theatre at 7 p.m. with an exclusive backstage tour, then moves to Rivendell Theatre Ensemble at 8 p.m. for special scenes from their current production of Alias Grace and scene selections from Barrel of Monkey’s That’s Weird Grandma. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance for a free drink ticket provide by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.

Chicago Methodist Senior Services will host Eclectic Full Contact Theatre in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association for “Great Minds Think Alike” on Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at 1415 W. Foster Ave. Tickets are on sale in advance online.

Stella Lily Bus, Andersonville-Farmers-Market | Photo by David Oakes

Wednesday, Oct. 11:

Andersonville Farmers Market and Arts Week Kick-off Party on Berwyn from 4-8 p.m.In an event that includes all nine genres of art, the Andersonville Farmers Market will expand beyond its usual footprint (Berwyn between Ashland and Clark) to include the east side of Berwyn from Clark to the first alley. The expansion will feature an evening designed for all ages with live performances and DIY art-making. Performance highlights include Gus Giordano Dance School from 6- 7 p.m. in rehearsal for their Friday night ALL THAT JAZZ benefit, Merry Music Makers, an EKF Martial Arts demonstration, Joel Hall Dancers, and Rapid Bat Theatricals. The Super Swedish Scavenger hunt will also launch for kids at the Arts Week kick-off party.

Ava’s Change4Youth launches at Women and Children First Bookstore from 4-8 p.m.During the Andersonville Arts Week kick-off party, Ava’s Change4Youth in partnership with Pride Action Tank will unveil their first art box parking meter designed to collect change to combat youth homelessness. The idea came from 13-year-old Ava Volpe-Santos after learning how other cities repurposed parking meters to collect donations for the homeless. Chicago muralist Sam Kirk has designed the first meter, and it will be on display throughout Arts Week. Ava’s Change4Youth will also have a presence at the City Made Handmade Market, Oct. 14-15 in the Swedish American Museum parking lot.

Thursday, Oct. 12:

Defloured: A Gluten Free Bakery (1477 W. Balmoral), in partnership with Vincent Restaurant (1475 W. Balmoral) will host a pumpkin carving and cookie decorating party for all ages outside both locations from 6-9 p.m. Pumpkins will be available for purchase with free refreshments provided. The Andersonville Chamber has also programmed buskers to play throughout the neighborhood for Thursday night diners, including jug band, Strictly Jug Nuts, who will perform near the pumpkin party from 7-9 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 13:

Andersonville Arts Week Stroll & Soirée from 6-10 p.m.: Over 60 participating businesses host parties and receptions for their featured artist(s) throughout the district. Hours vary by business. View full party schedule. In highlight, South Andersonville businesses, The Guesthouse Hotel, Sidewinder Gallery, and StudioUs Arts Educators have formed a South of Foster Gallery Walk collective in which they will cross promote and feature the same artists across all three locations.

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce will pop-up at 5202 N. Clark as the Arts Week Headquarters starting Friday through Sunday. Arts Week HQ is open to the public Friday, Oct. 13 from 6-10 p.m., and Oct. 14-15 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Staff will be on hand to answer questions for art walkers, and hand out Arts Week Guides/Maps. HQ also serves as the inside location for the pop-up City Made Handmade Market which will house over 10 handmade artists and a pop-up location of the League of Chicago Theater’s Hot Tix booth for discounted theatre tickets.

Mary Wells Design

Saturday, Oct. 14:

Kick off of the City Made Handmade Market – Outdoors at the Swedish American Museum Parking Lot (5201 N. Ashland) and Indoors at Arts Week Headquarters (5202 N. Clark) from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.  Oct. 14-15.  The Andersonville Sustainable Community Alliance (ASCA) invites over 20 handmade makers and artists to pop-up in two locations in a nod to ASCA’s City Made Fest, an event usually held every September, but put on hiatus in 2017. The market allows city-based artists to feature their handmade work during Arts Week. A $5 donation is suggested at the gate to help support ASCA programming.

Sunday, Oct. 15:

Matthew Hoffman Public Art Tour from 2-3 p.m.: The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce will host local Chicago artist, Matthew Hoffman, for a free hour long tour and discussion of You Are Beautiful installations throughout the neighborhood and city. The tour will start at the outdoor City Made Handmade Market (5201 N. Ashland) and culminate at The Coffee Studio (5628 N. Clark) where participants will enjoy a complimentary coffee and a Q & A discussion with Matthew. Advance RSVP required, as space is limited.

A full list of participating Arts Week locations, artists, and schedule events can be found at andersonville.org/aaw. Schedule continues to be updated daily, and events are subject to change.

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