HYDE PARK ART CENTER ANNOUNCES VIBRANT LINEUP OF SUMMER EXHIBITIONS AND FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

HYDE PARK ART CENTER ANNOUNCES VIBRANT LINEUP OF SUMMER EXHIBITIONS AND FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

CHICAGO, IL — Hyde Park Art Center is proud to announce exhibition openings and related free public programs for Summer 2024. Highlights of the vast and vibrant programming include the critically acclaimed solo exhibition of Robert Earl Paige and its accompanying exhibition Parapluie, showcasing artists in Paige’s network; the opening of the Art Center’s annual teen and class exhibitions; the quarterly community day Center Day; plus screenings, open studios, artmaking workshops, and more. The Art Center offers over 200 programs annually that are free and designed for people of all ages; for program updates and more details, visit hydeparkart.org

The Summer 2024 exhibitions and programming at the Art Center are as follows, in chronological order:

Free Exhibitions

The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige

Now – October 27

This exhibition is a career-spanning survey of legendary textile designer, artist, and educator Robert Earl Paige (b. 1936). With multimedia works made between 1964 and 2024, this solo show is the largest presentation of the Chicago native’s work to date, including rarely seen parts of Paige’s collection that explore the artist’s lifelong quest for beauty and liberation. Raised in the Woodlawn neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, where he still resides, Paige makes artworks in response to the patterns, colors, and materials of everyday Black life. A highlight of the exhibition, curated by Allison Peters Quinn, is the debut of furnishings and woven textiles Paige made in collaboration with the Weaving Mill, Oscar Isberian Rugs, and sculptor Jeff Robinson, in addition to ceramic sculpture and collage made during the artist’s recent 15-month Radicle Residency at Hyde Park Art Center in 2022-23. Large wall paintings of Paige’s patterns created by muralist Dorian Sylvain unify the exhibition. The exhibition research, production, and catalog is supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Art Design Chicago is a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.

Parapluie

Now – October 27

Parapluie means “umbrella” in French and is a symbol of creative community for Robert Earl Paige. Over the years, Paige has amassed a group of makers and friends who he deeply admires and respects for their advice, commitment to craftsmanship, and interest in a community aesthetic. He describes the circles of artists with whom he discusses ideas and materials as his “parapluie.” This exhibition highlights unique functional and 2D artwork selected by Paige and made by artists Lori Bartman, Matty DeVita, Espi Frazier, Malika Jackson,Terah Jené,Turtel Onli, Brian Parris, Tony Smith, Dorian Sylvain, and Bernard Williams.

Pit Stop

June 15 – September 22

The teen program’s annual exhibition debuts artworks in a variety of media by over 20 young adult artists enrolled in the Art Center’s 30-week classes under the guidance of professional artists. Inspired by artist Aimée Beaubien’s immersive installation work, this year’s teen cohort transforms the hallway gallery into a surreal environment that travelers might encounter on a road trip. Situated within the liminal landscape of a pit stop or service station, artworks are presented as souvenirs to be serendipitously collected during one’s travels. The gallery becomes a metaphoric rest area for reflection on the journey passed, the present path, and the road ahead. Pit Stop is co-curated by Art Center staff members Alex Herrera, Harley Reid, and Tran Tran.

Free Public Programs

The Art of Pride

June 2, 12-4pm

Hyde Park Art Center presents its annual Pride event featuring art making, performances, vendors, and collaborations with artist-run spaces and local LGBTQIA+ artists to kick off Pride month.

Contemporary Collage Conversation

June 6, 6-8PM

In conjunction with the exhibition Alice Shaddle: Fuller Circles, contemporary collage artists Aimée Beaubien, Cydney Lewis, Victoria Martinez, and Mary Lou Zelazny discuss the meaning and contemporary relevance of collage as an art form, moderated by Dana Boutin. Panelists will be invited to respond to Shaddle’s work and share insights into their process of collecting materials and techniques.

Dear Black Artist Screening

June 20, 6-8PM

Hyde Park Art Center presents a screening of Dear Black Artist in conjunction with the exhibition The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige. Dear Black Artist is a documentary project that began right before the pandemic and highlights 77 Black artists as an ode to the 77 communities in Chicago. In the documentary, the artists discuss their creative journeys, barriers to access, and their greatest hopes for Black artists in the future. The film gives a snapshot of multigenerational perspectives and ideas around what success and access for Black artists look like in Chicago now. There will be a post-film discussion with select artists, moderated by the film’s creator, Rachel Gadson. The exhibition and corresponding public programs are part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Creative Wing Open Studio Night

June 27, 6-8PM

Radicle Residents and Creative Wing artists open their studios during the Art Center’s summer edition of Creative Wing Open Studio Night. Visitors can connect with artists, collectors, and curators in the community over light bites and refreshments. Current residents include Natasha Moustache, Yasmin Spiro, Leila Tamari, Letaru Dralega, and Keith Wilson. A list of visiting summer residents and the new curatorial residency is below.

For more information, visit www.hydeparkart.org.


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