Enjoy Art and History this weekend in the South Loop

Art Walk

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This weekend two events of interest will be taking place in the South Loop. On Saturday, October 12, 2013, South Loop Art Walk gives participants the opportunity to view art, meet artists, and enjoy food and drink specials at participating area restaurants. From 6-9 p.m., art lovers can visit galleries and businesses by following the map, pictured here, or visit any of the locations you’d like. Framing Mode at 1526 S. Wabash Ave. will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in the South Loop featuring a exhibition titled “The Landscape is Changing,” featuring “a group exhibition of original works dedicated to the windy city.” The opening reception is from 6-10 p.m. If the weather is rainy, the Reggies rock bus will be shuttling participants between locations.

Party like it’s 1850!
The Clarke House Museum will be celebrating their third annual Family Day Saturday, October 12, 2013. This family day event will be held at the museum, 1827 S. Indiana Ave. (Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens) from 12-3 p.m. Discover the sights, sounds, and smells of early Chicago and learn about the 1850s as you converse with authentically costumed interpreters. A variety of historic activities and demonstrations will be held throughout the day. Admission is free and so is parking. For more information, call 312-326-1480 (Glessner House Museum Tour Center) or e-mail info@clarkehousemuseum.org. You can like Clarke House on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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Looking for a community garden in the South Loop?

As you may already know, community garden space in the South Loop is pretty scarce. There’s the Women’s Park and Gardens space, but there’s a 100-person waiting list. Some people have been on a waiting list for years.

The community garden at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens

The SLoop Garden group has formed to find and develop new community gardens in our neighborhood. The group is in its early formation and they’re looking for input. You may contact them via e-mail at sloopgarden@gmail.com or by phone at 312.504.3538. You may also like them on Facebook and communicate with them there as well.

Sculpture Dedication at Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens this Saturday

The sculpture “Helping Hands,” by internationally acclaimed artist Louise Bourgeios (1911-2010), will be dedicated Saturday, September 24 at 10 a.m. in Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave.

A major work commemorating the life and work of social reformer and Nobel Prize winner, Jane Addams (1860-1935), “Helping Hands” is the “first major work of art in the Chicago parks to honor a significant woman.”

Bourgeios sculpture at left, detail right

The Bourgeios work is a series of carved black granite hands sitting on rough stone pedestals. The hands symbolize people, of all ages and ethnicities throughout the world, whose lives were impacted by Addams’s social work.

The dedication ceremony will last about an hour.