Beverly Art Walk set for Sept. 28
About 150 artists will share their craft during the 11th annual Beverly Art Walk from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago.
The family-friendly, free community event, hosted by the Beverly Area Arts Alliance, highlights galleries in more than 40 venues featuring artists, arts-related events, musical performances, studio tours and programs by guest artists. Home studio tours are also planned.
A preview party from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Beverly Arts Center, 111th Street and Western Avenue, offers a sneak peek of work by more than 25 artists and includes libations and live music by the jazz group Buddy Fambro Trio at 6 and 7:30 and an acoustic set by Shannon Baker.
Families should plan to visit the Uprising Craft Market at 103rd and Wood Street, which includes at least 25 artists and crafters, food trucks and a DJ, Family Fun Park with games and performances held in tandem with the I Madonnari street painting festival at Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt St.
The Beverly Arts Center features a performance by Uniting Voices, formerly the Chicago Children’s Chorus, at 2 p.m. Painter and draftsman Tracy Ostmann Haschke will provide a peek at the public artwork the alliance commissioned that will be installed in North Beverly when it’s finished.
Find information and a complete map of gallery locations, art demonstrations, featured artist home studios, music stages and other art walk events is at beverlyarts.org.
Those who want to continue the fun can join the Art Walk After Party at 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at Nicky’s of Beverly, 105th Street and Western Avenue, with live music by Tukkiman, Al Scorch and rapper Serengeti.
The nonprofit alliance, founded in 2014 by community activists and local artists, creates art-focused and inclusive events and projects that foster community, economic opportunity and creativity on Chicago’s far south side.
EPCHS named School of Distinction by state group
The Illinois Art Education Association has bestowed an honor on Evergreen Park Community High School, recognizing it as a 2024 School of Distinction – one of only eight schools in Illinois to achieve the honor.
The designation goes to schools with rigorous art, design and media education programs, recognizing schools that show authentic learning, excellence in curriculum and assessment, leadership and advocacy, connected communities and professional training and development.
The award came after the high school showed practices that “directly enacted the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, the Illinois Fine Arts and Media Standards and Social-Emotional Learning Priorities,” according to a news release from the high school.
Art teachers Libby McArthur and Tom Guerra were honored for the opportunities they provide to students as well as distinguished programming.
“Mr. Guerra and I are extremely proud of the work we do in our art department,” McArthur shared in the release. “We feel that every student can be an artist and EPCSH can be a great starting point on their lifelong art journey.”
A copy of the award will be presented during the education association’s conference gala in October, and the honor has been included on the association’s website. The recognition continues until 2026, when the school can reapply for it.
Southwest Suburban CROP Hunger Walk steps off Oct. 6
Registration is open for the Southwest Suburban CROP Hunger Walk, set for Oct. 6 at Lake Katherine Nature Preserve, 7402 Lake Katherine Drive in Palos Heights.
The walk starts at 2 p.m. Participants are invited to walk individually or to organize a team of walkers. Money is raised through pledges for the walk.
The local walk is part of a national effort to be part of a movement to take steps to raise funds to provide meals for people in the community and to support programs that create greater food security in communities all over the world. Of the money raised, 25% stays local and goes to agencies in the area fighting hunger.
Sign up online at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/cropwalks/event/palosparkil.
123rd Street to close for parade in Palos Park
Everyone loves a parade – except when it means traffic detours. Thanks to the parade for the Palos Park Autumn in the Park festival, 123rd Street/McCarthy Road will be closed between 96th Avenue/US 45 and 80th Avenue from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Sept. 21.
The parade starts at 11 a.m., with participants gathering near 80th Avenue and McCarthy and heading west toward 96th Avenue. The festival takes place at the Village Green at 8901 W. 123rd St. Alternative routes for east-west traffic will be Route 83, 119th Street and 131st Street. North and south streets around 123rd Street also will be closed.
Free garden club program set
The Garden Club of Morgan Park/Beverly Hills will host its annual free community event from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 2 at the Beverly Arts Center, where Annamarie Leon Diblik will speak on “Ecosystems in the City and How to Apply Permaculture Principles.”
Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labor; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single product system.
Information is at gardenclubofmorganparkbeverly@gmail.com.
Classic car show enthusiasts gather at Chicago’s Smith Village
Smith Village recently hosted its second car show, an annual event that draws car enthusiasts from staff, residents and neighbors. The snow featured both classic and custom models at the residence, 2320 W. 113th Place in Chicago.
The day included an awards ceremony, delicious fare from Fat Tommy’s Food Truck, refreshing treats from a lemonade and popcorn stand, live entertainment from DJ Keys and the chance to talk about cars with their owners.
Proceeds from the event benefited Emilie’s Fund, which ensures that residents who have lived longer than their financial resources can stay in Smith Village, a not-for-profit community. Information is at SmithVillage.org or 773-474-7300.
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