2019 Salon Series
We were so thrilled to be able to host a series of four salons in 2019. Take a look at the pictures below, and see what each presenter shared with us.
Our esteemed artists and activists discussing race and healthcare at the February 23 “Access to Care” salon. Right to left: Michele Hays, Khloe Janel, Jae Green, and Laura Colenari.
Our first salon, “Access to Care,” took place at the Factory Theater on February 23. Michele Hays discussed how she came to found Back on Their Feet, a group that helps prevent homelessness and connects people to social services in Evanston and beyond. Khloe Janel performed poems about self-care as a black, queer woman living in 2019. Jae Green performed a piece about maternal health care in the south. And Laura Colenari presented the Chicago Democratic Socialists’ work on reproductive justice and Medicare for All.
Channing Jones AKA Tenthwondr discusses his watercolor portraits and landscapes at “Ideas of Home” on May 25.
We held our second salon, “Ideas of Home,” at the New Rhythm Arts Center on May 25. Pop Mythologist Daniel Jun Kim discussed building a movement of superheroes based on the Spider-Verse mythos who work to make their communities a better place. Actor and writer Rory Jobst debuted an original monologue about carrying his home with him as a speck in a box. Channing Jones AKA Tenthwondr exhibited and discussed his watercolor portraits and landscapes inspired by his travels and the people he meets in the city. And Georgia Braun showed her large-scale impressionist paintings and told stories about her father, who built her childhood home.
Marlon Lyles holds the mic, with Annie Gill-Bloyer, AK Agunbiade, and Daniel Staub Weinberg at “Back to School with TEA: The Education Salon.”
“Back to School with TEA: The Education Salon” took place on September 28 at the New Rhythm Art Center. This was our third salon and most eclectic lineup yet! Artist Marlon Lyles showed his geometric line drawings and described the language he invented with the guidance of an art teacher. Annie Gill-Bloyer, founding member of RISE49, discussed the need for public school advocacy in Rogers Park. AK Agunbiade, comedian and doctor, read an essay about the lack of Black male doctors. And Daniel Staub Weinberg (weinbergsart + Dr. Shmooz the Clown) told stories about attending the Mooseburger Clown Camp and performed some clown tricks.
Rebekah McFarland, Raymond Noesen, Jacob Saenz, and Donyae Joho participated in a question and answer session at the end of “Bodies, Books, and Buildings: the Aging Salon.”
We closed our 2019 salon season with “Bodies, Books, and Buildings: The Aging Salon” at the New Rhythm Arts Center on November 16. Raymond Noesen presented his work restoring the old pipe organ at Cook’s Grand Theater in Indianapolis. Jacob Saenz read poems from his book Throwing the Crown about his experiences at different ages. Donyae Joho showed paintings and read corresponding poems about aging from an emotional perspective. Rebekah McFarland discussed her work as a bookbinder and archivist and showed books in different stages of repair from her personal collection. Writer Elaine Soloway read some brief essay excerpts about becoming a widow and getting a tattoo, and she participated in an interview about her unique approach to aging.
Whew, what a year!