Tuesday, August 20 + Wednesday, August 21

4:00-7:00pm

THE ARTS LAWN | 337 E. GARFIELD BLVD

HOMECOMING on the Arts Lawn was a real moment for the community. As part of Gertie’s Next Stop: Chicago campaign, we invited Washington Park residents and folks passing through to unwind and reconnect. Ben Lamar Gay’s soundscape set the tone, while Big Bros Ice Cream and Southern Grown Watermelons kept everyone refreshed.

Through our partnership with Call and Response Books, we were able to give away over 100 books, and Mecca Elevated’s sound bath brought a sense of calm to the space. ode to rhumboogie by ebere agwuncha and Josué Esaú encouraged folks to engage with art in a new way, while Carmenita Peoples taught chess to those wanting to sharpen their skills.

photo by Natasha Moustache

Seeing neighbors and commuters alike take a moment to pause, relax, and gather on the Arts Lawn felt like what the space is really meant for—community and connection.

Rapper Vic Mensa visits the Arts Block before HOMECOMING

Video filmed and edited by On the Real

ode to rhumboogie

Arts + Public Life sound sculpture by Chicago artists ebere agwuncha and Josué Esaú

In celebration of Washington Park’s rich cultural heritage, we are excited to present “ode to rhumboogie,” an interactive sound sculpture that invites play, experimentation, and social connection. Created by Chicago artists Ebere Agwuncha, a transdisciplinary craftsperson, and Josué Esaú, a multidisciplinary fabricator, this installation draws inspiration from the historic Rhumboogie Cafe—a once-thriving jazz and blues club that stood where the Arts Lawn is located today.

image is from sculpture installation

The design of “ode to rhumboogie” is influenced by stringed instruments from across the African diaspora, such as the Banjo, Berimbau, and Kora. The sculpture features woven strings, a wooden bridge, and a metallic gong that echo the architectural and musical legacy of the Rhumboogie stage. Crafted with willow threads and playable metal strings, the installation also includes an arch in vibrant shades of copper, green, brown, and black, inviting visitors to engage with the art in a truly unique way.

“ode to rhumboogie” offers an opportunity to create your own melodies and rhythms by interacting with the strings and percussive elements. The sculpture will be on display through October, providing our community with an ongoing source of creative exploration and a chance to connect with the deep history of the area.

ebere agwuncha is a Chicago born and based Nigerian American transdisciplinary artist whose practice seeks to reach the natural depths of memory that hands carry through contemporary craft practices. They dream alongside the archives of the black diaspora making architecture(s) for the world to embrace through touch, preservation, ritual, domesticity, and intimacy. She currently serves as the Education Programs Manager and a past fabrication instructor to Arts + Public Life youth artists based on the south side of Chicago. ebere holds an Industrial Design Degree from Iowa State University.

Josué Esaú Romero Velasquez was born in Honduras, raised in San Antonio, and currently lives in Chicago. He contributes as an instructor at Arts + Public Life, sharing design and fabrication skills with South Side youth. He is also a multidisciplanary fabricator, building furniture, sets, installations and other objects supporting peers and and the art community. Josué holds a BFA from Southwest School of Art (now UTSA Southwest,) and an MFA from Columbia College Chicago.

Explore unique outdoor seating designed by DAP II

photos by Natasha Moustache and Liu Yang

APLs Design Apprenticeship Program II (DAP II) taught by Josué Esaú, is comprised of six talented teens, ages 16-18, who have been honing their woodworking skills with us for the past 1-3 years. These young artisans are not just learning a craft—they’re developing independent works that are part of a larger artistic project aimed at improving their neighborhood.

This year, our apprentices took on the challenge of designing and building three tables and six chairs, all thoughtfully crafted to create a sense of leisure and invite users to rest and reset in a safe, welcoming environment. The furniture pieces feature intricate weaving techniques and arches that connect with a larger sound sculpture by Chicago artists Josué Esaú and ebere agwuncha. Through this project, the teens advanced their woodworking skills, mastering techniques like joinery, laminating boards, and weaving.

What sets this experience apart is the level of autonomy and agency our youth were given during the creative process. Each apprentice worked on designing and building individual projects that not only showcase their craftsmanship but also address real-world challenges, making a positive impact on their community. Through their hard work and creativity, they are contributing to a brighter, more vibrant neighborhood.

Exclusive Homecoming apparel design by prgrssn

“The outlined goal of the comissioned clothing is something functional and reflective of the DAP II’s six week project that coincides with the installation by ebere + Josué. Taking a closer look at DAP overall and the project the student’s are working on, my goal was to create something immersive + youthful, highlighting their work, and commemorating the moment in August. The “theme” for this specific cohort of DAP students. With this being framed around the idea of a “homecoming,” I leveraged that idea and created a phrase all of DAP could rally behind.”

-Olu Adeleke, creator of prgrssn

Olu is a 2024 L1 Creative Business Accelerator Fellow

photo by Chelsea Ross

5pm | Sound activation by Ben Lamar Gay

“Music can be seen as a system of auditory memories linking us to the essence of what we are made of: Sound. We are made of vibrations. Making a sound is one of the most natural things we do as human beings. I'm excited to return to my family at Arts+Public Life to interact with the sound sculptures and explore the makings of us.”

-Ben Lamar Gay

Ben Lamar Gay was a 2019/20 Artist-in-Residence at Arts + Public Life

Ben LaMar Gay is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who creates electro-acoustic collages by blending sound, color, and space through folkloric filters. Described as a “polymath” by the Chicago Reader, Gay’s work unifies diverse styles to craft narratives that expand our understanding of “Americana.” A Chicago native with a B.A. in Music Education from Northeastern Illinois, Gay has taught in the Chicago Public School system, lectured at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and facilitated with the Chicago Park District’s Inferno Mobile Recording Studio. His work, influenced by experiences across the Americas, channels these through both organic and electronic technologies to create a global interpretation of “Americana.”

6pm | Sound bath by Mecca Elevated

“This outdoor sound meditation is an opportunity to reset your mind and recharge your soul. The city becomes a backdrop — the distant hum of traffic, the laughter of the community — blended with frequencies and vibrations curated by Mecca, creating a unique experience that releases unwanted stress and anxiety. Leaving you refreshed, and recharge.”

-Mecca Perry

Mecca Perry is a multi-faceted artist and experienced sound meditation facilitator, weaving together art, healing, and community. As the founder of Mecca Elevated, she curates bespoke wellbeing experiences designed to unlock individual potential and ignite lasting transformation.

With a decade-long meditation practice and a passion for empowering others, Mecca's work is grounded in a visceral, down-to-earth approach that resonates deeply with participants. Her unique sound meditations create immersive journeys of self-discovery.

Mecca is currently an apprentice in the Chicago Arts & Health Pilot for Creative Workers, collaborating with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to explore the intersection of art and mental health.

ALSO!

Chess games and instruction with Carmenita Peoples

Free ice cream and Italian ice from Big Bros Ice Cream*

Free watermelon*

Book giveaway from Call + Response Books*

*while supplies last

photo by Natasha Moustache

Presented with generous support from Gertie, MacArthur Foundation, and Pritzker Traubert Foundation.