Farewell Slideshow...

-Still photographs of urban artwork provided by Monica Macellari

Thank you, Pilsen!!

--Monica Macellari, Katherine Hall, Amanda Boleman, and Irish Mae Silvestre

Art In Other Forms: Dance (Part 1 of 2)

Over the past four weeks, we have been introduced to the thriving Pilsen art community and have talked to artists working with every medium imaginable. 

Whether working with a paintbrush, a camera or simply their own body, these artists have shown us that art is not easily definable to one way, shape or form. 

We've also learned over the course of the last few weeks that the art community in Pilsen is highly connected and supportive of one another's work. 

Local Clinard Dance Theatre is no exception. 

In 2010, Clinard Dance launched a community outreach program that brought together many Pilsen artists in the communities' parks and integrated the flamenco style of the theatre into the parks' landscapes. 

From the Pilsen tradition, Clinard invited a muralist to draw their performance at Harrison Park and danced as matadors for the community to see. 

Clinard Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance company with flamenco roots. They offer dance classes for flamenco firsts to those more advanced. The Winter Session is on now through April 7th.

For more information, check out: http://www.clinardance.org/

Amanda B.

Pilsen Murals: " “Increíbles Las Cosas Q’ Se Ven”

Over the years, the people of Pilsen have nurtured a festive art community... that's a given....BUT... among the many galleries and museums scattered throughout the community, are other public forms of expression--MURALS.


Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some of these urban art billboards, the intriguing artists that created them, and their importance in this rich neighborhood.


First up... drum roll please... rat-a-tat-tat...


 “Increíbles Las Cosas Q’ Se Ven”--"Oh the things you'll see"
In 2001, Jeff Zimmermann, a native artist from Chicago, presented a three-panel building mural on the corner of 19th and Ashland in Pilsen. Like many of Zimmermann's pieces, the mural incorporates politics with community action, neighborhood personas, and religion. 

Photo courtesy of madaboutthemural.wordpress.com

Panel One-devoted to image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Panel Two-features the working members of the community
Panel Three-displays political figures like Cesar Chavez hovering over the heads of students and successful career,minded individuals. 


This is just one of the many attractions that Pilsen has to offer, so if you haven't already...check it out...very large, very colorful, very cool.
-Monica M.

More to come...

Be on the lookout this week for additional, local artist bios...as well as some info on some extravagant murals popping up in Pilsen!

Stay tuned.

-Monica M.