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20 events found.

Workshops and Classes

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  • September 2022

  • Thu 29
    September 29, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

    Dare to Tell! Storytelling Workshop

    • Online Events
    • Workshops and Classes
    Online Event

    Do you want to tell stories to connect with people emotionally and to create intimate communities with others? Do you want to tell stories that reflect upon urgent social concerns of our time? There are two parts to this workshop/circle. During the first part of the session, we will discuss central tenets of this art […]

    FREE
  • Fri 30
    September 30, 2022 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    • Dance
    • Workshops and Classes
    Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center 4046 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    BOMBA is the oldest musical tradition of Puerto Rico and one of the greatest expressions of the Island’s African ancestry. Since its establishment in Chicago in the late 1980's and early 1990's, enthusiasts, practitioners and teachers of Bomba had come through SRBCC to develop, share and cultivate their craft and honor this ancestral art form […]

    FREE
  • October 2022

  • Sat 8
    October 8, 2022 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

    Journey Chicago: Where I’m From: A Kids Workshop on Cultural Flags

    • Alliance Events
    • Workshops and Classes
    Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art 2320 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    This event is part of Journey Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Alliance's annual citywide festival of cross-cultural events. For this hands-on, art-making workshop, children will learn about the artistic symbolism on our nations' flags (primary examples will include the Assyrian and Ukrainian flags, as well as the American and Chicago flags). Everyone will then have the […]

    FREE
  • Fri 14
    October 14, 2022 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    • Dance
    • Workshops and Classes
    Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center 4046 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    BOMBA is the oldest musical tradition of Puerto Rico and one of the greatest expressions of the Island’s African ancestry. Since its establishment in Chicago in the late 1980's and early 1990's, enthusiasts, practitioners and teachers of Bomba had come through SRBCC to develop, share and cultivate their craft and honor this ancestral art form […]

    FREE
  • Sat 15
    October 15, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Journey Chicago: Calaveras Workshop

    Journey Chicago: Calaveras Workshop

    • Alliance Events
    • Workshops and Classes
    OPEN Center for the Arts 2214 S. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    This event is part of Journey Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Alliance's annual citywide festival of cross-cultural events. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican celebration honoring those no longer with us. Stop by and have fun creating your own Calavera while sharing stories, expressing your creativity, and celebrating life! As […]

    FREE
  • Sun 16
    October 16, 2022 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Journey Chicago: Calaveras Workshop

    Journey Chicago: Calaveras Workshop

    • Alliance Events
    • Workshops and Classes
    OPEN Center for the Arts 2214 S. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    This event is part of Journey Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Alliance's annual citywide festival of cross-cultural events. Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican celebration honoring those no longer with us. Stop by and have fun creating your own Calavera while sharing stories, expressing your creativity, and celebrating life! As […]

    FREE
  • Fri 28
    October 28, 2022 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    • Dance
    • Workshops and Classes
    Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center 4046 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    BOMBA is the oldest musical tradition of Puerto Rico and one of the greatest expressions of the Island’s African ancestry. Since its establishment in Chicago in the late 1980's and early 1990's, enthusiasts, practitioners and teachers of Bomba had come through SRBCC to develop, share and cultivate their craft and honor this ancestral art form […]

    FREE
  • November 2022

  • Thu 3
    November 3, 2022 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Night At The Museum | Paint & Sip!

    • Workshops and Classes
    The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture 3015 W Division Street, Chicago, IL, United States

    An Intimate Night At The Museum | Paint & Sip! Painting and art made easy for everybody! Learn how to paint on a canvas with Featured Artist Lorimar Matos. This art session Includes a Sangria Flight of 4 Flavors Guava, Pomegranate, Pear & Berry. Welcome / Check In 6pm-6:30pm Taste our New Fall! Blood Orange […]

    $25
  • Thu 3
    November 3, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm In-Person Master Class – Lithuanian Threaded Straw/Paper Ornament Making

    In-Person Master Class – Lithuanian Threaded Straw/Paper Ornament Making

    • Workshops and Classes
    Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, United States

    The Balzekas Museum presents an in-person 3-Thursday Lithuanian Straw Ornament Making Master Class with artist/educator Laura Lapinskas About this event In order to preserve and perpetuate Lithuanian traditions, the Balzekas Museum is launching a series of traditional Lithuanian Folk Arts Master Classes. The first Master Class - on making traditional Lithuanian straw Christmas ornaments-- will […]

  • Thu 3
    November 3, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

    Three Lithuanian Threaded Straw Ornament-Making Master Classes

    • Workshops and Classes
    Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, United States

    Join us at the Balzekas Museum for a special three-evening Master Class on making traditional Lithuanian straw ornaments. Classes will be conducted by artist/educator Laura Lapinskas. Traditionally, ornaments were made from natural straw, but resourceful city-dwellers began to use more easily available paper and plastic straws for this purpose. Participants will also have an apportunity […]

    $20
  • Thu 3
    November 3, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

    Three Lithuanian Threaded Straw Ornament-Making Master Classes

    • Workshops and Classes
    Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, United States

    Join us at the Balzekas Museum for a special three-evening Master Class on making traditional Lithuanian straw ornaments. Classes will be conducted by artist/educator Laura Lapinskas. Traditionally, ornaments were made from natural straw, but resourceful city-dwellers began to use more easily available paper and plastic straws for this purpose. Participants will also have an apportunity […]

    $20
  • Thu 10
    November 10, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am The Greek Diner and the Making of American Cuisine

    The Greek Diner and the Making of American Cuisine

    • Food and Drink
    • Member Events
    • Online Events
    • Talks and Gatherings
    • Workshops and Classes
    Online IL, United States

    In this hour-long class, we will explore the history of the Greek diner and its profound influence on American food culture. On the eve of World War I, Greek immigrants began buying up the diners abandoned by German Americans facing anti-German persecution brought on by the war. In these kitchens, the new Greek owners would […]

    Free
  • Thu 10
    November 10, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm In-Person Master Class – Lithuanian Threaded Straw/Paper Ornament Making

    In-Person Master Class – Lithuanian Threaded Straw/Paper Ornament Making

    • Workshops and Classes
    Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, United States

    The Balzekas Museum presents an in-person 3-Thursday Lithuanian Straw Ornament Making Master Class with artist/educator Laura Lapinskas About this event In order to preserve and perpetuate Lithuanian traditions, the Balzekas Museum is launching a series of traditional Lithuanian Folk Arts Master Classes. The first Master Class - on making traditional Lithuanian straw Christmas ornaments-- will […]

  • Wed 16
    November 16, 2022 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Bold Byzantine Women: Empress Theodora, Anna Komnene, and St. Kassia

    Bold Byzantine Women: Empress Theodora, Anna Komnene, and St. Kassia

    • Member Events
    • Online Events
    • Talks and Gatherings
    • Workshops and Classes
    Online IL, United States

    Join NHM Discussions as we explore the lives and legacies of three of the Byzantine Empire's most influential figures: Empress Theodora, Anna Komnene, and St. Kassia. Theirs are stories of palace intrigue, spiritual seeking, and intellectual vibrancy. In the man’s world of the Byzantine Empire, these three women left a legacy for us today.

    Free
  • Thu 17
    November 17, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm In-Person Master Class – Lithuanian Threaded Straw/Paper Ornament Making

    In-Person Master Class – Lithuanian Threaded Straw/Paper Ornament Making

    • Workshops and Classes
    Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, United States

    The Balzekas Museum presents an in-person 3-Thursday Lithuanian Straw Ornament Making Master Class with artist/educator Laura Lapinskas About this event In order to preserve and perpetuate Lithuanian traditions, the Balzekas Museum is launching a series of traditional Lithuanian Folk Arts Master Classes. The first Master Class - on making traditional Lithuanian straw Christmas ornaments-- will […]

  • Thu 17
    November 17, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

    Muslim Women in Technology Networking Social

    • Talks and Gatherings
    • Workshops and Classes
    Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education 55 W Van Buren Street, Suite 220, Chicago, IL, United States

    Are you interested in connecting with other young professionals in the field of tech? Would you like to learn more about advocating for yourself in the field of tech as a minorty? If you answered yes to these questions, you do not want to miss this FREE event! ACCE is proud to host Muslim Women […]

    FREE
  • Fri 18
    November 18, 2022 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    BOMBA Lab en el Centro

    • Dance
    • Workshops and Classes
    Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center 4046 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    BOMBA is the oldest musical tradition of Puerto Rico and one of the greatest expressions of the Island’s African ancestry. Since its establishment in Chicago in the late 1980's and early 1990's, enthusiasts, practitioners and teachers of Bomba had come through SRBCC to develop, share and cultivate their craft and honor this ancestral art form […]

    FREE
  • December 2022

  • Thu 1
    December 1, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am What Did Homer Sound Like?: A Brief History of the Greek Language

    What Did Homer Sound Like?: A Brief History of the Greek Language

    • Member Events
    • Online Events
    • Talks and Gatherings
    • Workshops and Classes
    Online IL, United States

    Greek may well be the world’s oldest continuously spoken linguistic tradition. In this hour-long class, we will explore the long life of the Greek language, from Proto-Greek speakers arriving in the Greek peninsula thousands of years ago to the "Greeklish" of the Greek diaspora.

    Free
  • Sat 3
    December 3, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Try Your Hand at Calligraphy: A Calligraphy Fair with the Chicago Calligraphy Collective

    • Cultural Festivals and Fairs
    • Exhibitions and Gallery Events
    • Workshops and Classes
    Newberry Library 60 West Walton Street, Chicago, IL, United States

    Calligraphy evolved into a fine art practice in the mid-20th century, and it continues to be reimagined by artists today. To keep the art of beautiful lettering alive, it must be practiced. Join us and the Chicago Calligraphy Collective for an interactive and family-friendly event focused on the history of handwriting. Enjoy demonstrations of different […]

    Free
  • Tue 6
    December 6, 2022 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm The Greek-Turkish Conflict: 500 Years Ago and Yesterday

    The Greek-Turkish Conflict: 500 Years Ago and Yesterday

    • Member Events
    • Online Events
    • Talks and Gatherings
    • Workshops and Classes
    Online IL, United States

    Since the Greek state declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821, the Greek-Turkish conflict has in many ways defined the history of modern Greece. In this NHM Discussion, we will explore the history of this conflict from the Ottoman Empire to the Balkans War to Cyprus. If you feel like you are missing […]

    Free
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J. Gibran Villalobos

Board Member

J. Gibran Villalobos is an arts administrator, educator, and cultural worker. He has served as Senior Program Officer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as the Interim Executive Director of the Chicago Artists Coalition, and faculty lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Previously, he has held posts as Assistant Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager for the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Cultural Liaison for the Chicago Park District, and Curator-in-Residence for the Chicago Cultural Center. In 2016 he attended the Advocacy Leadership Institute and was invited to the White House Office of Public Engagement, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak to issues affecting Latinos in Chicago. In 2017 he launched an inaugural summit of Latinx artists and administrators across the U.S; for this project he was awarded the Act Up Award by the Chicago Community Trust. His work has been presented at the Fabrica de Arte Cubano during the 2017 Havana Biennial. In 2019 he was an inaugural recipient of the Field Foundation’s Leaders for a New Chicago Award as well as the Americans for the Arts 2019 Leaders of Color Fellowship. In 2020, he joined the Civic Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy where he worked with government and nonprofit sector participants to think about effective policy for Chicago’s cultural industries. He helped establish the Auxiliary Board at the National Museum of Mexican Art. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Department of Arts Administration & Policy.

Gibran holds a BA in Art History and a BS in Public Relations from Northern Arizona University and an MA in Arts Administration & Policy and MA in Modern Art History & Theory from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

He has contributed to exhibitions such as Direct Message, presenting the artwork of Chicago artistic collectives and their relation to language and civic engagement. As part of an international project, he has convened the MCA Chicago with the Tate Modern, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Queens Museum and other institutions to create dialogue on civic engagement within contemporary art institutions. He has written catalog entries for Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Rodrigo Lara Zendejas, and Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford. In 2021, he is contributing to the upcoming retrospective on the work by artist Andrea Bowers focusing on the activism and archives of Emma Lozano. He is curator of the symposium Fractures: Creating Around Devastation focusing on water ecology, civic engagement, activism, and architecture.

Loreal Robertson

Board Member

Loreal Robertson is a native Chicagoan who recently returned home in 2021 where she began working at the University of Chicago. In her role she oversees and monitors a range of programs, services, and resources to support the retention, wellness, belonging, and success of graduate students. Additionally, her role includes informing strategic priorities, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, professional development, student advancement and the support of students who may be experiencing financial academic, or personal challenges, including students with disabilities and international students.

Loreal has over 10 years of experience in higher education and student affairs. In 2021 she received the Inclusion and Diversity Champion Award from Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), where she was previously employed. Loreal’s personal and professional philosophy is creating and promoting spaces and opportunities where everyone can see themselves as part of an experience and feels represented.

Loreal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from TAMUK.

Loreal is a financial and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, an avid reader, and enjoys traveling with family and friends.

Warren Frank

Treasurer

Warren Frank is a retired CPA and CFO, and current Adjunct Professor at Columbia College.

Warren worked at such CPA firms as KPMG, PwC, and Deloitte, and Not For Profit organizations as National Association of Realtors, Chicago Associations of Realtors, Anixter Center, and Chinese American Service League.

Warren is a Chicago resident in the Lakeview neighborhood. He attended Loyola University of Chicago for his bachelor degree and Northwestern University for his master degree.

Colleen McGaughey

Board Member

Colleen McGaughey (she/her) is the director of development at the National Public Housing Museum, where she leads the strategic direction of the museum’s fundraising efforts with a focus on creative and community-centric approaches.

Mario Longoni

Board Member

Mario Longoni is a cultural anthropologist (“Lead Environmental Social Scientist”) in the Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum. For over 20 years, he has worked with individuals and organizations to surface and activate cultural and natural assets (specific strengths and characteristics) to help communities meet the challenges they face.

Rob Fojtik

Board Member
Rob Fojtik is Vice President for Neighborhood Strategy at Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism and convention promotion bureau. In this capacity, Rob oversees efforts to promote and support Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods to visitors from near and far. Programs include the award-winning Neighborhood Content Creator program that leverages resident-made digital content, and Chicago Alfresco, a $2.5 million placemaking initiative created in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation to transform public spaces into community plazas for outdoor enjoyment.

Before coming to Choose Chicago, Rob was a Senior Advisor to Mayor Lightfoot on economic development and international relations at City Hall, as well as LGTBQ+ affairs and the expanded outdoor dining program. In this role, he also worked to recommend and place over 150 civic leaders and residents onto City boards and commissions. Prior to government service in the Lightfoot administration, Rob ran her winning campaign in the crowded 2019 Chicago mayoral race as Chief of Staff. In past lives, Rob has worked as a public affairs manager for a Fortune 500 company downtown; had misadventures in management consulting, art sales, and personal cheffing; and spent time in Washington DC working for former Secretary of Defense William Cohen. Rob also served a one-year appointment at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence as a policy advisor on Central and Eastern Europe. In this role, he was part of the NSC’s interagency process to develop a comprehensive sanctions regime on Russia as a consequence of its 2014 invasion of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.

After receiving his BA in Slavic Languages and Literature at Northwestern University, Rob lived and worked in the Czech Republic teaching English and tending bar before moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a MA from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies (CERES). He enjoys cooking, learning foreign languages, hiking with his partner and their dog, and visiting Chicago’s many neighborhoods.

Paul Durica

Board Member

Dr. Paul Durica is the Director of Exhibitions at the Chicago History Museums and worked in a similar capacity at The Newberry Library. From 2015-2020, he served as the Director of Programs and Exhibitions with Illinois Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Prior to that he drew upon his work as a writer, researcher, and teacher to produce a series of free and interactive talks, walks, and reenactments focused on narratives from Chicago’s past that resonate with its present.

These public history programs led to collaborations with cultural institutions in the city such as the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Chicago History Museum, Newberry Library, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Chicago Cultural Center among others.

Each program made use of both his original research and the skills of the arts organizations, community groups, local businesses, and publications that acted as my partners. Some of these programs, such as the full-scale reenactment of the Haymarket Affair in 2011, involved recruiting and directing over 300 volunteers and 1,000 participants.

To produce these programs successfully, he wrote grants; managed budgets; generated web content; worked closely with program partners of varying sizes and resources; and identified, engaged, and sustained a diverse multi-generational audience.

Lynessa Rico

Board Member

Dr. Lynessa M. Rico is the Associate Chair of the Business Psychology Department at the The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Chicago campus. She is also a business mentor at 1871.

Lynessa is a results-driven Strategic Consultant with over 25 years of experience enabling leaders to meet strategic business objectives by identifying and aligning business growth opportunities with strategic direction of culturally diverse organizations. By leveraging her strategic experience in identifying and impacting business growth opportunities and maximizing profits in retail firms and higher education institutions, Lynessa leads workshops focused on the creative mindset, women’s entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the value and application of design thinking within entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her services also include consulting with and educating leadership on emotional intelligence, the power of design thinking and the creative mindset, and leadership styles to support inclusive, creative workplaces. She has presented to leadership and innovation teams in small, mid-size, and Fortune 500 companies.

Lynessa received her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Management from Wichita State University. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University with a focus in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. After earning her master’s degree, Lynessa received her doctorate in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she successfully completed her dissertation titled, “The Relationship Between Personality Types and Color Preference for Color Combinations.” Her current research interests include women’s entrepreneurship, design thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurship self-efficacy.

Outside of work and research, Lynessa enjoys mentoring start-ups and judging pitch competitions. Lynessa currently resides in Chicago, Illinois with her four cats. She is an avid long-distance runner, having completed 5 full marathons (and counting), and enjoys watching musical theater.

Briana Thomas

Board Member

Briana Thomas is the Museum Associate at the Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education (a core member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance). She wears many hats including developing exhibition content, facilitating community programs (children and adults), liaising with visitor artists, and other responsibilities. Her previous experience in the nonprofit space includes her tenure as the Financial Empowerment Coordinator at AMERICORPS Sharing Life Center as well as engaging with the public at the Dallas Arboretum. Her past professional experience has remained rooted in marginalized communities. It is their needs, discourse and histories that she has routinely been tasked with protecting and showcasing in the face of poor infrastructure, and willing ignorance. Creating safe spaces is an ancestral practice she has inherited.