South Side Trolley Tour Explores Art Institutions In Historically Black Neighborhood

The South Side Community Art Center, along with several other Bronzeville businesses, are preparing to host the first Bronzeville Art District Trolley Car Tour of the season on June 21. Photo Credit: South Side Community Art Center
The South Side Community Art Center, along with several other Bronzeville businesses, are preparing to host the first Bronzeville Art District Trolley Car Tour of the season on June 21. Photo Credit: South Side Community Art Center

South Side Trolley Tour Explores Art Institutions In Historically Black Neighborhood

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Every third Friday from June to Sept., locals and visitors will be invited to visit Bronzeville for a free trolley tour of the historic neighborhood. The tour will visit the South Side Community Art Center and several Bronzeville art galleries where participants will be able to view the exhibits, listen to music, eat, and have a drink. The first Bronzeville Art District Trolley Car Tour of the season will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 21.

“The Bronzeville Art District Trolley Car Tour has been going on for quite a while now actually and the overall idea and goal of the Bronzeville Art District Trolley Car Tour is to educate people and introduce them to the art history and culture of the Bronzeville area,” said Natalie Battles-Reed, office manager and tour guide at the South Side Community Art Center.

There are multiple art institutions that work together to put the Trolley Tour on each year in Bronzeville and there are a wide variety of people who come to participate in the tour, according to Battles-Reed.

In addition to visiting the Southside Community Arts Center, participants will be able to visit Faie Afrikan Art, Blanc Gallery, Gallery Guichard, and the Little Black Pearl. Above Gallery Guichard, are the Bronzeville Artist Lofts which will also be open for visitors to tour and to view the resident’s artwork.

“All of these institutions work together to put on the Bronzeville Art District Trolley Car Tour and not only do you get a chance to go to each individual institution and location to view artwork, but there are also activities. There will be food and drinks and the tour is absolutely free and open to the community and the public. Outside of that, you also get the history and the knowledge of the Bronzeville area as well,” said Battles-Reed.

Bronzeville has a rich history and was once known as Chicago’s Black Metropolis. Prior to restrictive housing covenants being declared unenforceable by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948, black Chicagoans were limited in where they could live and Bronzeville was an area that was available to them. It was this act of segregation that created the robust black history of business, architecture, music, and art that exists in the community today.

“It’s important to remember the history, but also to look at the fact that this area is still thriving and full of black-owned businesses. At one point, when African American people came to Chicago, Bronzeville was the only place that they could live so this neighborhood is really instrumental to African American culture,” said Battles-Reed.

While the tour is free, many stops on the tour will be accepting small donations from participants and all of the food and drinks will be free as well thanks to a sponsorship from Blue Vodka.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.