| Dates: | 1989-1994 |
| Size: | .25 linear feet in 1 box |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Collection Number: | nnhc.glc |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | Donated by Grace Lai, Robert Krueger, and Marion Krueger. |
| Conditions Governing Use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection. |
| Conditions Governing Access: | Materials are open without restrictions. |
| Preferred citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Grace Lai Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library. |
| Finding Aid Author: | Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Allyson Smally, 2021. |
Abstract
Grace Lai (1927-2010) was an artist known for her watercolor sketches of Chicago's construction sites and changing skyline. The collection consists of reproductions and photographs of her work and an article about her.
Biographical/Historical
Grace Lai (1927-2010) was an artist who was known for her watercolor sketches of Chicago's construction sites and the changing skyline. In 1985 she began her "on-site" series of watercolor sketches, which document "the fluid lines of construction crews at work and the changing angles of the cityscape." Her first drawing was of employees of the Turner Construction Company, builders of the high-rise at 190 S. LaSalle. She began the sketch in the early mornings while waiting for her classes at the American Academy of Art to start. The construction crew soon noticed her and invited her to join the crew. She later graduated from the Academy and drew other construction projects at 550 N. State, 35 W. Wacker, 400 E. Ohio, and 400 E. Ontario, among others. She also captured fine details in the changing Chicago skyline from various perspectives. She exhibited her work at the office of Chicago's building commissioner and at the Chicagoland Construction Safety Council.
Grace Lai was the daughter of Chinese immigrants and graduated from Schurz High School in Chicago. Before enrolling at the American Academy of Art she worked with her husband, Henry Lai, in their commercial art studio and served as the Sunday School Superintendent at Chinese Christian Union Church in Chinatown. She closed the studio she had run with her husband after his death in 1985 and began her work as an artist. She died in Chicago on March 16, 2010.
Source: Shelley Hawes-Biejcki, "Chicago's 'Amazing Grace' Chronicles City Construction Projects on Canvas," Dodge Construction News, October 25, 1993.
Scope and Contents
The Grace Lai Collection consists of postcards with black-and-white reproductions of Grace Lai's work, cards and notecards with color reproductions, color photographs of her drawing of the CTA station and surrounding Asian American community at Argyle and Broadway, a signed color photograph of the cover of Dodge Construction News with an article her, and several copies of the article.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 4 series:
Series 1: Postcards, 1990-1993
Series 2: Notecards, 1989-1994
Series 3: Cards, 1989-1994
Series 4: Photographs and article, 1991-1993
Related Materials
Oral history interview with son Ed Lai about Grace Lai in Asian American Art Oral History Project, DePaul University Archives.
Grace Lai Papers at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago.
Subject Headings
- Watercolor painting, American
- Asian American artists
- Asian American women artists
Collection Inventory
Series 1: Postcards, 1990-1993
Scope and Contents
This series contains black and white postcards featuring images by Grace Lai. The postcards are approximately 6 inches by 4 inches.
Arrangement
Alphabetically.
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Chicago Chinatown From Wentworth & 23rd, 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | City view from Buckingham Fountain, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | City view from 515 N. State, 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | City view from IBM Plaza, 1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | City view from LaSalle-Wacker Building [see also Cards], 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | City view from Randolph and Michigan; Cultural Center, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | City view from Wacker & Wabash, 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | CTA's Pagoda - Chicago's New Chinatown, Argyle & Broadway, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | 1st Skate on State, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Gallery 37 - Chicago's Summer High School Artist Showcase, 1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | The Great Chicago Flood, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | The New East Side; east of Randolph & Michigan [see also Cards], 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | View from Dearborn Park, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | View from Sandburg Deck [see also Notecards], 1992 |
Series 2: Notecards, 1989-1994
Scope and Contents
This series contains notecards with color illustrations of Grace Lai images. The notecards are approximately 6 by 4.25 inches.
Arrangement
Alphabetically.
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Bridges Over Chicago From LaSalle/Wacker Building, 1989 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Buckingham Fountain, 1989 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Buckingham Fountain, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | City View, 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Cultural Center [see also Postcards, City View from Randolph and Michigan], 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Dearborn Park, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Excalibur Medinah Temple, Hard Rock Cafe, Rock 'n Roll McDonalds, 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Gallery 37, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | HMS Rose Visits Chicago, 1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | HMS Rose Visits Chicago, 1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Northwest Corner State & Madison, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Polish Tall Ships Visit Chicago, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Untitled [Artist Grace Lai with Governor Jim Edgar], undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | View From Meigs Field, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Wacker and Wabash, 1990 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | View from Sandburg Sundeck [see also Postcards], 1989 |
Series 3: Cards, 1989-1994
Scope and Contents
This series contains cards with color illustrations of Grace Lai images. The notecards are approximately 8.5 by 5.35 inches.
Arrangement
Alphabetically.
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | City View From LaSalle-Wacker Building [see also Postcards], 1989 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Dodge Construction News [5 copies], 1993 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | McCormick Place, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | McCormick Place at 23rd, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Navy Pier Chicago, 1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | New East Side [see also Postcards], 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Skate on State, 1992 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | View from Meigs Field [see also Notecards], 1994 |
Series 4: Photographs and article, 1991-1993
Scope and Contents
This series contains two photographs and an article about Grace Lai.
Arrangement
Alphabetically.
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Argyle and Broadway, photograph of watercolor, 1991 |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | “Chicago’s Amazing Grace Chronicles City Construction Projects on Canvas,” article in Dodge Construction News, 1993 October 25 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Dodge Construction News, photograph of cover, 1993 |
