Chicago tips

Lonnie Holley's Remarkable Installation Is At Intuit

art

An originally blank gallery space has been transformed by Lonnie Holley, an outsider artist from Alabama, into a breathtaking venue.  Holley arrived in Chicago in May as Intuit's first artist in residence.  During a two week period he gathered discarded materials from around the city and environs, and combined them to create this significant environment.

Lonnie Holley's evolution into a respected artist was difficult, replete with poignant episodes of a struggle for survival itself.  He was one of a large group of siblings from an impoverished family and began his serendipitous career making sandstone tombstones for family and friends.

Over the years he's done painting, sculpture, and assemblage.  The photo at right, courtesy of Bill Bengsten shows the finished project at Intuit.  During Holley's two week visit here he involved  groups of Chicago school children as well as the general public in his creative process.

To learn more about Holley and listen to an NPR podcast as well as all manner of things about Intuit, access www.art.org.

In the adjoining Intuit gallery you'll find an exhibit of recent gifts to Intuit's permanent collection.  It's fun to peruse this captivating work.  Included among other pieces is an exceptional early sculpture by former Chicagoan, Mr. Imagination.

(In the interest of full disclosure you should know that I am both a founder of Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art and a member of its' Board).  Notwithstanding, you should get on over to this non-profit organization's space for some of the most exciting art activity in the city.  And definitely join while you're there!

Intuit is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11-5PM; Thursday 11-7:30PM.  The Lonnie Holley exhibit closes September 1.

A Serendipitous Yield From A Traffic Jam

art, nepotism

Despite the fact that we've lived in the city for a very long time, my husband and I have finally had to face one of life's grimmer realities, the commuter traffic jam.

On summer weekends we generally travel an hour and 45 minutes to southwest Michigan or "Harbor Country", as it is dubbed by local chambers of commerce.  Recently we decided to return to town on a Sunday evening instead of our usual Monday morning, but to our dismay the construction backup began not too far west of Gary.  We decided to take highways 12 and 20, then 41 to avoid the horrors of interstate 90.  It wasn't too bad,  and then the sun began to set, relieving our strained eyes from its' glare.  We exclaimed anew as we found ourselves stuck once again as a dark vintage iron bridge began to rise,  permitting a boat to pass.

What a boat!  It was enormous, old, long and bulky and sported a huge crain on its' deck.  Other inconvenienced motorists joined us, all in awe at its' majesty.

I believe it was called the Mariner but I'm not sure.  However, if you're coming back to Chicago some summer evening from the east, try that route.  You might see something else intriguing, who knows.

Suzanne Cummings Flowers Are Truly Special

services, shopping
I've had my eye on this handsome shop window for a number of weeks now and was really delighted to visit recently.  Suzanne Cummings Flowers has been open since October, but it's not immediately apparent, tucked away in a place you might not expect to find commerce.   It's  just across from Oz Park and around the corner and west of Lincoln Av. at 630  W. Webster.

The space is pristine and so are the floral arrangements.  They're elegant in a kind of Oriental understated way.  Most flowers are imported directly from Holland, so they're quite unique.  I found myself eager for an occasion to send these elegant groupings to a deserving friend.  Understated containers are available for purchase separately or of course, with flora.

Suzanne trained with the highly regarded London florist, Jane Packer, whose client list once included Princess Diana.  Peek into the websites of both for additional insight.  www.suzannecummingsflowers.com  and just google jane.

The shop may be rented for special events.  It includes an efficient kitchen along with convenient "rollaway" store fixtures designed to facilitate enlargement of the space.  It had a recent mention in Shelter magazine.

Victor, the store assistant pointed out "party roses" as being particularly popular.  They're a deep pink and white and actually appear to be striped with paint at first glance.

There's a new art exhibit every 6-8 weeks as a kind of frosting on the cake.

Visit Suzanne Cummings asap.  You'll be as delighted as I am.

Hop Down To Munster. See Mike Noland's "Call Of The Wild"

art, current calendar

Mike Noland is a Chicago artist of notable merit, and now through July 15th you can view his ouevre broadly in an exhibit at the South Shore Arts Center in Munster.  It's a half hour at most from downtown Chicago.   The exhibit, the first in the Center's invitational Outstanding Midwest Artists Series is jointly curated by Arts Center Executive Director John Cain and art enthusiast Eugenie Johnson.

Noland is influenced by both his favorite outsider artists and by Chicago imagists but his work is strongly his own   I'm hoping to provide you with additional images but they're not available to me just now since I'm out of town.  This one, of the energetic fish is courtesy of the Carl Hammer Gallery.

South Shore Arts is at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster.  Hours are 10-5 weekdays, 10-4 Saturday and 12 noon-4 Sunday.  Call 219.836.1839 for additional info.  Also ask about the Italian restaurant in town with swell food and a stopped-in-time 60's atmosphere.  You can try it for lunch.

Many of the pieces shown are for sale which for me, adds to the excitement.  It would be tough to make a choice since most are noteworthy.  You can also pick up the handsome full color catalog that accompanies the exhibit with an excellent essay about Noland by  James Yood who teaches at The Art Institute of Chicago and writes for Art Forum magazine.   It's available without charge.  Don't miss this exhibit!

A companion Noland exhibit at the newly opened Lakeside Gallery West in Michigan City, Indiana should be noted.  It's at 827 Franklin with weekend hours from noon -5PM or by appointment at 219.363.2750.

Of course, both exhibits are free and open to the public.

Enjoy The Quirky Gardens Of Michigan Avenue

culture, current calendar, gardening

Now the sidewalk gardens along Michigan Av., are sprouting a variety of dress forms, (see photo), some of which defy description. That's because the Greater North Michigan Avenue Assn., the sponsor of these growing spaces wants to call everyone's attention to the fashion aspect of the Mag Mile.   

I met Mary, my informant,  at a bus stop in front of the Apple store a couple of weeks ago and she gave me fair warning of all this.  Mary had been chatting prior to my arrival with another bus rider who is a volunteer for the Michigan Ave. Assn. and that's how she got an advance clue-in.   She was obviously very enthusiastic about something so I just had to introduce myself.

She thought the dressmaker forms were a great idea and planned to bring her mother-in-law who is a recovering cancer patient there for a cheer-up.    Mary herself is a walking cheer-up.  She called my attention to the babbling brook to the north of the Apple Store.   I noted others on the boulevard itself.  The lush plantings are sponsored by retailers in the area.

The GNMMA was responsible for the bicycle component installations that graced these gardens  recently.  Although I personally disagree  that all this is "art",  it is a diversion that many find  pleasant.  I guess we owe all this inspiration to the "year of the cows."  Remember?

The dressmaker bust pictured, entitled Dahlia Pinnata was created by Shawn Holtaway, a student at the International Academy of Design and Technology here in town.   

The association wants you to visit their website, www.themagnificentmile.com but frankly when I did I was uninspired.