Curator’s Note
Our communities are deeply dependent on meeting individual housing needs – an essential human right. Like most other private ventures, there is a tremendous amount of asymmetry in private housing, and it is this very unevenness – as it presents itself both in appearance and in practice – that many of the participants in the exhibition are compelled to represent. Our partner, Mercy Housing Lakefront, is an outstanding example of how to create individual housing solutions while producing opportunities for greater involvement, participation, and agency within an immediate community.
— Nabiha Khan-Giordano
Public Programs
EXPO Chicago
Thu, Apr 7–Sun, Apr 10
Weinberg/Newton Gallery at EXPO Chicago, The International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art for a preview of our upcoming exhibition Key Change in booth #435 featuring Tonika Lewis Johnson and Riff Studio.
Opening Reception
Fri, Apr 29, 5–7pm
Celebrate the opening of Key Change. Remarks from participating individuals and organizers will take place at 5:30pm.
Reservations encouraged but not required.
Sat, May 7, 1–3pm
There is a huge housing crisis in this country, with many people without housing or unable to afford quality housing. We must fight for expansive quality, affordable, and green housing options.
Mercy Housing Lakefront will share a brief overview of the history of affordable housing in the Chicago metropolitan area, their efforts to advance sustainability through the development and operations of their affordable housing portfolio, and how individuals can get involved to influence the development of housing in their communities.
Sunrise Movement will lead an engaging discussion, reimagining the future of housing, through the lens of the climate crisis.
Family Days
Sat, May 21, 2–4pm; Sat, Jun 25, 2–4pm
Look, make, and talk about art!
Explore Key Change and create art inspired by the exhibition. Family workshops feature hands-on art making activities for all ages, are free with all materials provided, open to the public, and do not require a reservation. For everyone’s health and safety, masks (age 2+) are required for all visitors.
May 21: Led by WNG Teen Collective, screen-print a tote bag or t-shirt with an exclusive design created by WNG Teen Collective youth artists then embellish it to make it your own.
June 25: Led by WNG Teen Collective, decorate a mini terracotta planter then add soil and seeds to grow your own plant.
Additional activities include: keychain making, message bracelet beading, and more!
Wed, Jul 13, 5–6:30pm
Hear from Architreasures about their creative placemaking work in Mercy Housing Lakefront affordable housing communities and exhibiting artist Isabel Strauss of Riff Studio
Reservations encouraged but not required.
Partner
Mercy Housing Lakefront creates stable, vibrant, and healthy communities by developing, financing, and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors, and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities.