On March 10 we gather to support arts education programs that are Creating Art, Creating Change all over Chicago. In addition to dinner, drinks, performances, and a live auction, this colorful evening will include inaugural awards presentations for five individuals and organizations whose commitment to Urban Gateways arts programs has inspired and strengthened our work. Join us at the Gala and get to know our honorees below!
Art for All Gala
Friday, March 10th, 6:00-11:00pm
Revel Fulton Market (1215 W. Fulton Market, Chicago)
The Jessie Woods Arts Champion Award
…Goes to former Urban Gateways Executive Director Ronne Hartfield for her tireless advocacy of arts education. Ronne recently authored an inspiring article for the Enhancing Life Project at the University of Chicago discussing how the arts allow us to be “opened, touched, nurtured, healed, reminded of what is best in our singular and communal nature.” Read her article here.
The Urban Gateways Emerging Artist Award
…Goes to former Urban Gateways Art Options apprentice and current School of the Art Institute of Chicago student Justus White. “The art I make challenges and targets hasty generalizations and misconceptions towards the black man and the black community,” Justus said. “I create with photo, video, and poetry as a means to communicate. My aspirations are to utilize art to connect and aid youth in marginalized communities, giving them support and opportunity to develop their own artistic practices, and challenging society holistically.” Read Justus’ poetry on our blog.
The Art for All Corporate Citizenship Award
…Goes to long-standing Urban Gateways funder Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for its generous support of our programs. “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is proud to partner with Urban Gateways,” said President Maurice Smith. “In our ten years together, we have focused on furthering the well-being of Chicago’s youth by helping to build a meaningful bridge to the arts. Access to the arts can impact young people in transformative ways.”
The Urban Gateways Artist Excellence Award
…Goes to Urban Gateways touring artists Jason Wolf and Pulse Beat Music Chicago for their ongoing commitment to our touring performance programs. Their percussion show, The Birthplace of Rhythm, takes audiences on a global journey exploring the history, language, and geography of rhythm. They have performed over 120 shows with us in schools and community venues since 2012, reaching nearly 25,000 audience members. “Music moves us, and it can speak to anyone, no matter who you are or what you know,” Jason said. “If the music itself draws us in, we can then go on to discover so many things about people, and places, as well our communities and ourselves.”
The Urban Gateways Artist Excellence Award
…Goes to Urban Gateways teaching artist avery r. young for his dedication to empowering Urban Gateways students through theater and literary arts programs. As a young man facing racism in school, avery started writing poetry to show his teacher that “My skin wasn’t packed mud, but was black gold…And now as a person teaching art to children, my main focus is to give access to the language within that screams ‘I am of gold!'”
Congratulations to all of our award winners; we deeply appreciate their contributions to Urban Gateways and arts education. See you at the Gala!
