Art in the Time of Corona: Contemporary Folk Art by Kathy Halper

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Art in the Time of Corona: this interview celebrates a pivot artist Kathy Halper had to recently do to keep things moving forward despite the world shutting down.

Kathy and artist David Gista were scheduled to have an exhibit at 1100 Florence Gallery this April, a contemporary space in Evanston. David is stuck in Portugal and Kathy had a new body of work ready to exhibit.

So, 1100 Florence launched the Sidewalk Art Gallery Presenting Kathy Halper Landscape Paintings, where the public can gave lovingly at her new works, from a distance!

Chicago River Walk, 16” x 20”, Oil on Canvas, 2020, $700

My hometown is known for its architecture. Taking a boat ride down the river is one of the best ways to appreciate it. Inspired by Matthew Wong’s brilliant blue palettes and sense of pattern, I created the city as I see it.

Listen to our conversation about Kathy's Contemporary Folk Art you can see from the sidewalk this April! And no, there will be NO opening reception, we'll get arrested!

"Folk art with its voice rooted in simplicity and honesty feels like the little candle I need in my life right now. I am taking inspiration from folk art, fauvism, expressionism, and pop to create a new contemporary folk art. This work makes me very happy. I hope you feel the same." - Kathy Halper

1100 Florence Gallery is an artist-run contemporary art space dedicated to showcasing artists in Evanston and the world.

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Up to something interesting? And a member of Evanston Made? Reach out to thelisadshow[at]gmail.com with an interview request!

Evanston Made is designed to connect Evanston artists with the public through programming, events, exhibits and more. Join as an artist, arts producer, arts patron, etc. at evanstonmade.org/membership/

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The Lisa D Show podcast features interviews and conversations with Lisa Degliantoni and creatives living and working in Evanston, IL. Recordings typically happen in the 1100 Florence Gallery at 1100 Florence Ave in Evanston, IL.

Angela Valavanis, owner of Creative Coworking and Colvin House

Angela Valavanis, owner of both Creative Coworking and Colvin House, creates flexible, creative, coworking spaces for professionals working from home. Our conversation focuses on how Angela centered her business around creativity and productivity, providing a much needed business service for professionals on the North Shore.

In addition to running two businesses, Angela is an arts advocate who shows and sells hundreds of works by local artists on the walls at Creative Coworking. Artists can reach out to Angela to request a chance to show their work and the public is invited to see works by artists, visit creativecoworking.com. January 26, Creative Coworking hosts an artist reception for Rebecca Hill and Doug Haight, 5-8 p.m., 922 Davis Street.

Angela’s next endeavor is activating the historic Colvin House in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, with events and coworking spaces available for rent. Learn more at facebook.com/ColvinHouse

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The Lisa D Show is a podcast celebrating creatives, featuring 20-minute, unedited conversations that mimic the live-radio vibe, low tech on purpose. Reach out to host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow[at]gmail.com

Hannah Litvan, Founder of Ice House Gallery Evanston

As a recent art school graduate, Hannah Litvan confronted the ugly fact that art jobs are really, really, really hard to get. She applied for literally hundreds of jobs across the globe and barely heard back from two. What was Hannah going to do with her degree and desire to work in the arts? Her mom had an idea, start an arts-related business. Smart mom!

Hannah recently opened Ice House Gallery on South Blvd. in Evanston, that features first floor gallery and event space and artist studios upstairs. Housed in a historical building (where ice used to be made and stored) Ice House Gallery gives Hannah the freedom to work in the arts, live in the Evanston community and eventually the space to create her own work (which has been on pause for the two years leading up to the opening).

Ice House Gallery will feature Chicagoland area artists, there are 17 showing now, with a monthly featured artist reception on the First Saturday of every month. This Saturday, Dec. 2, 6-9p, meet artists Jim Parks, showing paintings of flowers, “Bloomz”.

Check the calendar of events for upcoming mid-month music, poetry and theatre performances at icehousegalleryevanston.com/events.

Artists looking for studio and gallery space can reach out to the Hannah directly at hlitvan[at]icehousegalleryevanston.com.

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The Lisa D Show is a podcast celebrating creatives, featuring 20-minute, unedited conversations that mimic the live-radio vibe, very low tech on purpose. Reach out to host Lisa Degliantoni at thelisadshow[at]gmail.com

The Lisa D Show with Ben Blount, unedited

Lisa Degliantoni and Ben Blount talk about his upcoming art exhibit Recollection which deals with race, memory and perception. 

Recollection examines the notions of race and culture we encounter growing up in the United States. Shared through reimagined learning tools and remembered narratives, this work explores how we collect these formative ideas about identity and commit them to memory. This collection of work from artist Ben Blount includes letterpress prints, handmade books, and various interactive elements.

Ben Blount is a printer who uses books, posters and installations to explore notions of race and identity in America. Shaped by two decades of experience in design and advertising, his work draws on a common cultural language of objects, stories and experiences to draw attention to the differences between what we see, and how we are seen. With a range of contemporary influences from Dave Chappelle and Kara Walker to Mos Def and Amos Kennedy, Blount’s work is often provocative and topical. He has taught book arts courses at The Cleveland Institute of Art and Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago. A native Detroiter, he earned an MFA in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago and currently lives in Evanston, IL. 

Image above: Spread from ABC: An Abecedarium of Black Culture

See more of Ben's work at benblount.com

The public is invited for the Opening Reception Saturday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m. 

The public is invited back Sunday, Feb. 12, 3-5 p.m. We'll host an artist talk and hear from Ben and his wife Melissa Blount on their work in social justice. Ben is a founding board member of OPAL (Organization for Positive Action and Leadership). He is interested in equity issues in Evanston and how we as a community can affect change through political participation. Seats are limited, please click here to RSVP on EventBrite. 

1100 Florence is a new art event space in West Evanston, IL, owned and operated by Lisa Degliantoni and Dave Ford.

The Lisa D Show is recorded in a former Polish Grocery Store in West Evanston, IL, this podcast celebrates creatives. Listen to 20 minute, unedited conversations with host Lisa D. and the creatives who make our world a more connected, interesting and beautiful place to live. Podcasts will be posted on this blog and on Soundcloud.com, https://soundcloud.com/lisa-degliantoni