Places to Visit
Historic Arts District
Olde Western Ave & James St This Blue Island gem is home to several Blue Island artists, Cornerstone Gallery and Studios, Pottery Boys Clay Studios, as well the first host location of the PEARL pop-up art boutique, September 2011. Opera House Studios Grand Opera House, Western Ave Fine art gallery and local art happenings take place on this third floor studio inside of the old Grand Opera House building. Open by appointment only or for special events. 13116 Western Ave. Cornerstone Gallery and Studio Olde Western Ave & James St This studio is home to four long time Cornerstone artists. Part of the historic arts district, the studio is open by appointment only or for special events. 2412 James Street. Pottery Boys Clay Studios Olde Western Ave & James St Unique, one of a kind pottery made in Blue Island. Visit the last weekend of August for a wheel throwing demonstration and local art celebration. Part of the historic arts district, the studio is open by appointment only or for special events. 13201 Olde Western Ave. PEARL See website for next pop-up Organized by local artists, PEARL is a pop-up boutique of handmade and unique objects for your home. 12840 Gallery See website for next pop-up A pop-up gallery, 12840 Gallery features Blue Island and Chicago artists. Check website for schedule and current location. Ricasso Art Works Western Ave & Prairie St Since 2005, RAW has offered airbrushing, screen printing, graphic designs and custom art works. 12822 Western Avenue. Franklin Framing Western Ave & New St Custom picture framing and fine art gallery. Started "First Friday" shows in early 2014. 13019 Western Avenue. George Poulos Photography Western Ave & New St Traditional Photography, Digital Imaging and Restoration. 13019 Western Avenue. Forever Photos Western Ave & High St Since 1995, Forever Photos has specialized in wedding photography and video. 12945 Western Avenue. |
Public Art
Tree of Knowledge (2012)
By Julie Sklom, Blue Island Public Library, 2433 York St Heart of Blue Island (2010) By Ricardo Gonzalez, MetroSouth Park, York St & Western Ave Energy (2008) By Bruce Niemi, MetroSouth Park, York St & Western Ave Kerr Middle School Mosaic (2013) By Alison Rich and District 130 students, Maple Ave & Union Street Mural (more info to come) Interior, Raven's Place, 13031 Western Ave Ongoing Programs & Organizations
Blue Island Arts Alliance
Blue Island Arts Alliance's mission is to educate, entertain, inspire, & connect the community through the arts. Wonderful things can happen here. Blue Island Art Club 12804 S. Highland Ave Established over 70 years ago, the club's mission is to stimulate, foster & promote public interest in the art of painting. The club meets every Wednesday, 12:00pm-3:00pm at Memorial Park, $8. Call Sue at 708-599-4863. Blue Island Music Western Ave & Union St Since 1994, a variety of music lessons have been offered at this friendly neighborhood music shop. 2408 Union Street, see website for hours. CREATE Opportunity for local artists to partner with local high schools in District 218. Local Artists & Craftsmen Day Local artists pop-up shop in the colorful CARR home-garden-holiday. CARR started the event in 2011, and continues to host each April. Annual Pumpkin Walk Each year, this event is scheduled for last Saturday in October. Take a stroll to view the artfully carved fall fruit at the various homes on Greenwood Ave, Vermont St to Prairie St. Arts & Culture Committee Best known for their efforts in making the 2010 mural project, "Heart of Blue Island" by Ricardo Gonzalez possible. Tours
Blue Island Landmark Tour
Prominent architects have designed homes for Blue Island residents include Bertrand Goldberg and Blue Island’s very own Robert Seyfarth. Today a wealth of fantastic homes and history has been preserved. The homes and businesses on this tour span from before the Civil War to the early twentieth century. House Walk Tour Biannually, third Sunday of September; contact the Blue Island Historical Society for more info. Cal-Sag Cycles Tour Cal-Sag Cycles offers Blue Island bike tours. Contact Cal-Sag Cycles for more info. History-n-Hollywood Bike Tour Organized by Cal-Sag Cycles, this self-guided tour will take you past the sites made famous by television and movies. Olde Western Avenue More about Blue Island's unique Olde Western Avenue, ghost signs, street furniture, and neon lights can be found on Forgotten Chicago. |
12840 Gallery Friends & Artist Resources
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
WBEZ Talks Blue Island's Olde Western Ave
Original post date: March 7, 2013
Small businesses, craft beer, great tacos, and Olde Western Avenue--all things Blue Island. And don't forget our growing ARTS community! Listen here.
Small businesses, craft beer, great tacos, and Olde Western Avenue--all things Blue Island. And don't forget our growing ARTS community! Listen here.
How Blue Island Fought Off Chicago's Annexation Attempt
Original post date: February 24, 2014
WBEZ's Curious City investigates Blue Island's independence. Read or listen here.
Original post date: February 24, 2014
WBEZ's Curious City investigates Blue Island's independence. Read or listen here.
Documentary: Ricardo Gonzalez on Western Avenue Mural
Video uploaded April 21, 2013
A documentary by Maritsa Arteaga
"Painting with Colors: Ricardo Gonzalez" investigates the then in-progress mural "Heart of Blue Island" by Blue Island artist and 12840 Gallery artist, Ricardo Gonzalez.
Click here to watch the documentary.
A documentary by Maritsa Arteaga
"Painting with Colors: Ricardo Gonzalez" investigates the then in-progress mural "Heart of Blue Island" by Blue Island artist and 12840 Gallery artist, Ricardo Gonzalez.
Click here to watch the documentary.
Art in Blue Island, 1973
Taken from The Forum, May 9, 2012
At the National Museum of Mexican Art on April 13, Chicago muralist, Ray Patlan was celebrated. Patlan was one of the artists commissioned to create a mural in Blue Island in 1973 entitled, “The History of the Mexican-American Worker” with fellow artists Vicente Mendoza and Jose Nario. The mural was installed amidst racial controversy that existed in Blue Island at the time, and a court case was filed by Plaintiffs August Sallas, President of the Latin American Advisory Council, the Illinois Labor Historical Society, and Artist, Ray Patlan, against each and every member of Blue Island city hall in their official capacity and as individuals. The plaintiffs won the case and the mural adorned Broadway and Olde Western Avenue for several decades. Few may know it, but the American Civil Liberties Union cited the Blue Island mural case to be the one of the most important cases in constitutional law involving art and an artist’s freedom of speech. Patlan was the primary muralist on the artwork which was once here in Blue Island. He went on to produce remarkable works throughout California and is also known as a lecturer, instructor, consultant and community activist. His mural in Blue Island no longer exists.
A PDF download of the full article is available on 12840 Gallery's new page or visit www.blueislandforum.org. Click here to view more photos.
At the National Museum of Mexican Art on April 13, Chicago muralist, Ray Patlan was celebrated. Patlan was one of the artists commissioned to create a mural in Blue Island in 1973 entitled, “The History of the Mexican-American Worker” with fellow artists Vicente Mendoza and Jose Nario. The mural was installed amidst racial controversy that existed in Blue Island at the time, and a court case was filed by Plaintiffs August Sallas, President of the Latin American Advisory Council, the Illinois Labor Historical Society, and Artist, Ray Patlan, against each and every member of Blue Island city hall in their official capacity and as individuals. The plaintiffs won the case and the mural adorned Broadway and Olde Western Avenue for several decades. Few may know it, but the American Civil Liberties Union cited the Blue Island mural case to be the one of the most important cases in constitutional law involving art and an artist’s freedom of speech. Patlan was the primary muralist on the artwork which was once here in Blue Island. He went on to produce remarkable works throughout California and is also known as a lecturer, instructor, consultant and community activist. His mural in Blue Island no longer exists.
A PDF download of the full article is available on 12840 Gallery's new page or visit www.blueislandforum.org. Click here to view more photos.
This web page was organized by 12840 Gallery.
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