The EXPO Collective

Save the Date

What is the EXPO Collective? People have been asking for some time. Actually, since we started putting it out there. The EXPO Collective started because a trio of us decided that we could put on events in Pilsen and organize artists for quarterly events with our partners over at BLUE 1647, located at 1647 South Blue Island.

What we want to do is integrate the community in a new and progressive way of looking at art. Though the beauty comes from the visual aesthetic, what we want to do is create a hodgepodge of different art that works together. Yes, we could be considered, simply enough, party planners. But the entirety of the event is meant to give a well-rounded and sensory experience, full of sound and insight into new art work.

This is our goal. We will be working toward this as we continue to put the events together. The neighborhood will be involved, and its residents, artistic and full of life will be the creators.

Among other things, the EXPO Collective plans on being a portal; a way to find new artists to bring into the community and a way to expose neighborhood artists to the rest of the city.

Yes, we have big plans and it will only work with the support of our friends and artists. Your support is very much appreciated. Currently, a main supporter of ours is Arte y Vida Chicago, who has been a supporter of the arts in Chicago, and more, Hispanic art and culture, for six years publicly and going strong.

If you know of artists who would like to get involved, please let us know by filling out the form below or finding us one of the following ways:

You can follow each of us on Twitter: @Kiki416 @RohoArte @NACOArt

Follow us on Tumblr: http://expocollective.tumblr.com/

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExpoCollective

Use the hash tag: #EXPOCollective

Email us at: expo.collectivo (at) gmail (dot) com

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“Celebrating the Establishment” Applauds South Side Mexican Culture

Jasso, Naco, MSilva Exhibit Cultural Art at Little Village’s Prosper Skate Shop

In an effort to share in the cultural celebration of Chicago’s “Capital of the Mexican Midwest,” three artists
known for their street art and illustrations will be exhibiting their work Friday, July 5, 2013 at Prosper skate shop located at 2620 S. Central Park, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the heart of La Villita.

The exhibit titled “Celebrating the Establishment,” honors the 40-year foundation of Mexican culture on the city’s Southwest Side.

The Little Village corridor has proven its worth and wealth and is only second to the Magnificent Mile in annual revenue. To increase the worth of the culture, these individuals hope that this exhibit encourages the creative stimulation of art within the Little Village boundaries.

Naco, Jasso and MSilva have worked together in different capacities in the past years lending a visually artistic hand to communal efforts and educational art programming on the South Side. Their next conjoined effort will go toward the development and execution of a mural, located in Little Village community, meant to spread peace, prosperity and to share in the celebration of culture. Fundraising efforts for this endeavor will begin the night of the exhibit.

Naco and Jasso have been known for their street art in the form of murals and wheat pastes along the 26^th street corridor, while MSilva has leant a hand to the creation of posters, signs and banners for community events and organizations.

About the Artists:

Naco: With a BFA in Illustration from the American Academy of Art, Naco has experience in teaching and decorating underserviced communities that lack exposure to art.

MSilva:  MSilva graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in graphic design. He also works with various mediums such as screen printing, illustration, wood carving and paper making.

Jasso:  Known for his wheat pasting and street art, Jasso works with mediums such as acrylic, spray paint and on various surfaces including canvas and fabrics.

Please RSVP to the even on Facebook!

American Premiere of Ken Carl’s Photography Exhibit: Joy Possible

“In India people with disabilities, who constitute almost four to eight percent of the population are still fighting to get equal access to healthcare, education, employment and inclusion in society. Despite the magnitude of the issue, both awareness of and scientific information on disability issues are lacking.”

Award-winning freelance photographer Ken Carl will be displaying various photographs from a spiritually-altering trip to India where he was sent to capture the essence of the Latika Roy Foundation, a resource center for children and young adults with special needs. Calumet Photographic, 1111 N. Cherry Ave., will host the display from May 9 to June 2, 2013.

Through an opportunity with Momenta, an international journalistic based organization focused on creating unique opportunities for photographers and non-governmental organizations throughout the world, Carl’s goal was to expand his knowledge and horizon, capturing a glimpse of life in a part of the world with which he wasn’t familiar. In the end, Carl obtained much more of this venture.

Regardless of Carl’s years of experience and expertise, the project came with challenges. “After two days I just felt a sense of failure and it was really hard,” said Carl. Going through the initial photographs, Carl didn’t feel as though he was capturing what was necessary. “I thought, ‘I’ve been given this amazing opportunity and I can’t get an image out of it.’”

With that, Carl took advantage of the days he had left. Along with integrating himself even more at the foundation, he asked for permission from the executive director of Latika Roy Jo McGowan to visit students at home and photograph them along with their families.

During his visits, Carl was able to capture nothing short of amazingly true images that exhibited the struggles and realities of families with their special needs children.

“These children have disabilities yet that fact is not a barrier to being a positive light,” said Carl. “The human spirit can never be disabled.”

Two years later, with photographs full of color, emotion and joy, Carl is ready to give people outside of India insight into the school in Dehradun and bring awareness of those with special needs.

“This trip brought and heightened awareness in my photography,” he said. “I want to share the message that joy is possible through sharing, caring and treating each other well.”

Dates of Exhibition: May 9, 2013 – June 2, 2013

Reception: May 9, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Calumet Photographic Chicago, 1111 North Cherry Ave.

Information on the event can also be found on Facebook. 

The Up Coming

Hey everyone!

Thanks for stopping by. Just want to let you in on a few things that have been happening and will start soon.

My girls, Lori Diaz and Wendy Mateo from Dominizuelan recently performed for the TBS Just For Laughs Festival this past weekend. This is the second time that they’ve been a part of this festival and they do an awesome job at it! Congratulations!

This week also starts the Colombian Music Festival. If you haven’t checked out the awesome acts coming out, please do. There are a lot of free shows and amazing artists coming to Chicago just for you and you don’t have to be Latino to enjoy them. The shows will take place all over Chicago including Millennium Park, the Old Town School of Folk Music, the Shrine and at Las Tablas restaurant, located on Lincoln Ave. Check out the website to preview the music and to see where everyone is performing or you can also follow on Twitter. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

July starts up RatioNation’s acts again, starting with Carla Morrison at the Dark Room on July 1st. Tickets are on sale now, or just follow RatioNation on Twitter or on Facebook to try and win some tickets. This show is going to be awesome just because Carla Morrison is awesome. She’s gained a lot of attention out in Los Angeles and is now performing in Chicago. Check out the Facebook Event or take a look at RatioNation.com for more information about the show. She’s coming straight from Tecate, Mexico and the event will be sponsored by Heineken.

There’s always a bunch of events listed on the Arte y Vida Chicago website. So if you’re bored and need something to do, please take a look. For up to the minute updates and schedule changes check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well. There are some amazing events coming up for your cultural aficionados. If you find us out at different events, please be sure to stop by and say hello. Tell us what you like most about the website and/or newsletter and let us know what you’re interested in so we can be sure to add it on to our list of cool events in the future. It’s summer time in the Chi, which means there’s a lot of cool and free stuff to do.

For those of you in a giving mood, Choose To Shine, a nonprofit who helps support other nonprofits will be hosting a fundraiser for Christopher House on June 23 from 7-10 p.m. at Mystic Celt. It’s $35 in advance or $40 at the door and includes drinks and food. Upon arrival you get to choose which of the nonprofits (there are four supported in one night) deserves your money. Check out the event on Facebook to see if it’s of interest to you and who you’d like to give a few bucks to. Don’t forget to follow Christopher House on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. Your support goes out to low-income children and families all around Chicago.