The Chicago Public Library is excited to announce its fall programming for its Renaissance Project, an initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation to increase access to archival materials that reflect Chicago’s rich Black history. These Fall programs will highlight the lesser-known African American voices and bring the library’s extensive archives to life through engaging workshops and performances. The programs offer something for everyone to discover.
New programs have also been added that pay tribute to the pioneering Chicago Defender cartoonist/illustrator Chester Commodore with an Illustration 101 class; include building cigar box guitars, and a live performance by Vino Louden to celebrate Chicago’s Blues tradition; and beginner’s sculpting with renowned sculptors Richard Hunt and Marion Perkins as inspiration. Programs from the spring will continue that include creating plane models that honor Dr. Leonidas Berry, organizer of the Flying Black Medics, to crafting hairpieces inspired by the trailblazing entrepreneur Marjorie Stewart Joyner.
Each workshop and performance will offer a brief introduction on the individual or organization that inspired the program highlighting archival materials from the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson Regional Library and Special Collections at Harold Washington Library Center.
Events
These programs are free and open to the public and can be found on our website under the Renaissance Project program type. Event highlights are below.
Featured
If You Could See Me Now: Reimaging Your Postcard Workshop
Participants will explore vintage postcards from the Chicago Public Library’s archives that highlights Chicago’s historic Black neighborhoods and landmarks, with photographer Arion Davis and in this family friendly workshop, make their own.
Community Portrait Workshop: The Legacy of Margaret Burrough and Making Art Accessible
Dr. Margaret Burroughs is widely regarded for her work as a writer, an artist, and for having helped establish two key Chicago cultural institutions: the South Side Community Arts Center and the DuSable Museum that provides venues to African American artists spaces to both fashion and display their culture and history inside their community. Keeping in lockstep with Dr. Burroughs’ legacy of making art ownership accessible, Sulyiman Stokes, photographer and DJ, will lead a discussion, provide the first works for your own collections, and offer to participants a portrait to center themselves and their communities.
Chicago's Electric Blues Heritage and History: Diddley Bow Workshop
Inspired by the history of Chicago’s renowned blues guitarists extracted from CPL’s archives, participants will build their own cigar box guitar. Musician Coco Elysses will present the diddley bow’s history, demonstrate its sound, and then instruct on how to build the instrument.
Meet Chester Commodore: Drawing and Illustration 101
Chester Commodore is one of the most influential and acclaimed African American cartoonists. During the nearly 50 years his cartoons appeared in the Chicago Defender, he used his art to advocate for racial justice, human rights, and equality of opportunity. This workshop led by artist Anthony Fowler Jr., will explore Commodore's work through selected pieces from our archive and teach participants elements of drawing and comic book illustration.
Sculpt like Hunt and Perkins: A Creative Sculpting Workshop
This workshop highlights the accomplishments of Black Chicago sculptors with a spotlight on Richard Hunt and Marion Perkins. Create your own mixed-media sculptures using clay, wire, cardboard, aluminum foil, and paint in this family friendly workshop. Led by artist Joy Joshua.
A “Sinners” Musical Journey: Delta to Chicago Blues with Vino Louden
In this performance, legendary Chicago Blues musician Vino Louden will take listeners on a journey through the style of music highlighted in “Sinners” to the sounds of Chicago Blues.
Rhythms of Our Roots: A Sonic Journey Through Black Chicago History
An immersive 1-hour sonic experience presented by CPL’s first DJ Scholar-in-Residence DJ Rae Chardonnay, this program will blend DJ-ing, film collage, live performance, and community engagement to explore the rich cultural tapestry of Black music in Chicago.
TEEN ONLY: Meet the DJ Scholar-in-Residence - History as Inspiration
CPL's DJ Scholar-in-Residence, DJ Rae Chardonnay will share insights on recording and DJ-ing. Hands on and discussions on how to intersect music with history for creative inspiration.
Meet Dr. Leonidas Berry: Make a Plane Workshop
Founder of the Flying Black Medics, learn about the renowned gastroenterologist and build a plane in this family frien
dly workshop.
A Musical Tribute to Chicago’s Black Classical Heritage
This piano performance and presentation will explore Chicago’s Black classical music heritage centering two organizations: the Chicago-based National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) founded in 1919, and the Chicago Musical College, now a part of Roosevelt University, one of the first music conservatories to admit African Americans. Featuring classically trained musicians. Piano and vocal works by renowned Chicago-based composers with ties to these Chicago institutions will be performed.
Advertising and Storytelling: A Photography Workshop
Participants will examine samples of advertising copy sourced from Ebony & Jet magazines (1970s -1980s) found in the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, to investigate historical advertisements and discuss the importance of storytelling. It will feature a Photography 101 instructional program with photographer Arion Davis.
Chicago's Black World Fair: American Negro Exposition Diorama Workshop
The American Negro Exposition, also referred to as the Black World’s Fair was held in Chicago in 1940 to celebrate to celebrate the achievements of African Americans. Led by Anayansi Ricketts, participants will draw inspiration from the artists displayed at the exposition to create their own diorama collage.
Meet Marjorie Stewart Joyner: Hair Ornament Workshop
Participants will explore the life and legacy of Marjorie Stewart Joyner, a pioneering figure in Chicago's beauty culture. After the engaging lecture, jeweler Joy Joshua will lead a workshop where participants can design their own unique bejeweled hair ornaments.
These programs were made possible with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
Archives
We invite you to explore more materials at the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson Regional Library and the Special Collections at Harold Washington Library Center, which inspired programming for the Renaissance Project.
Select materials from CPL’s archives have been digitized and can be found in our online digital collections.