As an anchor site for the international Chicago Architecture Biennial, the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., is prepared to welcome people from throughout the city and the world to participate in special programs that focus on how the built forms of Chicago’s neighborhood inform the past, present and future of communities.
“Elevation: The Rise of Beverly/Morgan Park,” an architectural installation and exhibition of photographs and historic documents, continues through Jan. 7 in the BAC’s Simmerling Gallery. Admission is free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon. through Thurs.; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat.; closed Sun. except during special events.
As a stop on the Beverly Art Walk, Sat., Oct. 7, 12 to 5 p.m., the BAC invites visitors to explore the themes Elevation and Making New History. Families are invited to construct their own model cities using Legos and to design posters that imagine the future of the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood.
How the arts affect neighborhoods is the topic of a panel discussion being hosted at the BAC on Thurs., Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. in the Baffes Theatre. Representatives from south side Chicago Architecture Biennial anchor sites Hyde Park Art Center, Dusable Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art and the BAC will share insights and ideas about the ways the arts visually and culturally impact how neighborhoods are shaped and influence the direction of a neighborhood’s future.
Mark Kelly, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), will moderate the panel discussion. Prior to his appointment to head DCASE in June 2016, Kelly had a long career fostering the arts experience across 100 different degree programs for students at Columbia College Chicago. He is founder and chair of the Wabash Arts Corridor initiative in the South Loop. Throughout his career, Kelly has served on many arts and cultural-centric boards.
For information on these programs, contact the BAC, 773-445-3838 or www.beverlyartcenter.org.
