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Third City Studio welcomed a new art exhibition on Saturday titled Midnight Blooms, featuring the work of nine Chicago a...
09/05/2026

Third City Studio welcomed a new art exhibition on Saturday titled Midnight Blooms, featuring the work of nine Chicago artists.

About 30 people attended the opening event at 5538 W. North Ave. The exhibition, curated by former Third City Studio artist Jeff Rivers, explores nighttime as a refuge for creativity and self-expression, bringing together artists whose work reflects the ideas and emotions that emerge after the city’s daylight fades. The exhibit will remain on display through Oct. 10.

The exhibition features the work of nine artists: Josh Cook, Ladipo Famodu, Avin HannahSmith, Shanelle Harrison, Braimah Lawal, Kenya Moffet-Garner, Raven Smith, Messejah Washington and Kare Williams.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/09/01/third-city-studio-opens-midnight-blooms/

This spring, Oak Park nonprofit Beyond Hunger announced its purchase of 6209 W. North Ave., sharing plans for transformi...
09/04/2026

This spring, Oak Park nonprofit Beyond Hunger announced its purchase of 6209 W. North Ave., sharing plans for transforming a vacant grocery store into a modern, client-centered and permanent headquarters in order to advance its nearly 50-year mission of ending local hunger.

While construction to transform the 600-square-foot space into a state-of-the-art food pantry and community hub is not expected to be completed until next year, young artists from the Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAAC) Off the Wall program have also been hard at work this summer. They used their talents to transform an ordinary exterior brick wall at the location into a vibrant, five-panel mosaic display celebrating exactly what Beyond Hunger is all about — neighbors gathering resources, skills and compassion to build a stronger community for everyone.

Ten local artists, ages 16 to 22, oversaw the project titled “Gathering Together.” The artists dedicated their finished work on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/31/beyond-hunger-oak-park-arts-council-mural/

In 2020, Chicago high schoolers spoke out against police presence in their schools, which they said promoted a school-to...
09/03/2026

In 2020, Chicago high schoolers spoke out against police presence in their schools, which they said promoted a school-to-prison pipeline. Disproportionately affecting students of color, that pipeline pushes students from classrooms into the justice system through punishment like expulsions or arrests that don’t address the root cause of behavioral infractions.

Also in 2020, Chicago Public Schools and partnering organizations — including those from the West Side, like BUILD and POWER-PAC IL — convened a steering committee to develop a Whole School Safety plan that addresses students’ holistic safety by removing police from schools and providing resources for emotional support, restorative justice and trauma-informed care inside schools.

Now, some of what was discussed six years ago is coming to fruition in the school year that started last week.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/31/whole-school-safety/

La Shawn K. Ford is feeling the pull of both the past and the future as the Labor Day weekend heralds the final stretch ...
08/28/2026

La Shawn K. Ford is feeling the pull of both the past and the future as the Labor Day weekend heralds the final stretch of the election season.

In January Ford is virtually guaranteed to take Danny K. Davis’s seat in the U.S. Congress, and he is keenly aware of the historical weight of taking the place of an iconic figure with 50 years of public service.

On the morning of Governor’s Day at the State Fair in Springfield, as he walked over to the Illinois State Capitol Building, coffee in hand, Ford reflected on his 20 years of public service in the Illinois House and his thoughts on the new challenges awaiting him in Washington.

Ford is the prohibitive favorite to win in November against 88-year-old Kane County Republican Chad Koppie, who does not live in the district.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/24/la-shawn-ford-reflects-relationships-and-transitions/

Classic cars, music and youth performances filled Ogden Avenue on Sunday as the second annual Lawndale Route 66 Festival...
08/27/2026

Classic cars, music and youth performances filled Ogden Avenue on Sunday as the second annual Lawndale Route 66 Festival celebrated North Lawndale’s connection to the historic highway.

The free festival grew from Chicago’s Historic Route 66 Classic Car & Bike Show and now combines multiple community events into one day, including those from Lawndale Christian Community Church, The Firehouse Community Arts Center, the 24th Ward Aldermanic Office, Principals Barber Shop, The Young Dr’s Club, the American Red Cross, Youth Boxing Club of Chicago and Boxing Out Negativity.

Located just south of historic Route 66 on Hamlin Avenue, the arts center has long been a presence in North Lawndale, working to interrupt violence among North Lawndale youth and young adults through arts, faith, outreach and violence prevention programs.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/24/lawndale-route-66-festival-celebrates-north-lawndale-history/

As Chicago students prepare to return to school, A Boy and His Dream and Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. brought free school s...
08/21/2026

As Chicago students prepare to return to school, A Boy and His Dream and Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. brought free school supplies, haircuts, food and other resources to families on Sunday at the Fred Hampton Mural.

A Boy and His Dream is a local nonprofit organization that supports underserved youth in Chicago communities and in Nigeria. Fred Hampton Jr. is a Chicago community organizer and activist. The Fred Hampton Mural at the corner of Madison Street and California Avenue honors his father, Fred Hampton Sr., a Black Panther Party leader and Chicago activist. He was killed in December 1969 during a police raid on his West Side apartment.

Sunny Akhigbe, founder of A Boy and His Dream, said the organization’s work is driven by his own experience growing up in extreme poverty in Africa and his desire to provide resources and opportunities for young people.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/17/west-side-a-boy-and-his-dream-back-to-school-event/

Austin Eats Movie in the Garden, hosted at BUILD on Aug. 13, partnered with the One Earth Film Festival to bring Austin ...
08/20/2026

Austin Eats Movie in the Garden, hosted at BUILD on Aug. 13, partnered with the One Earth Film Festival to bring Austin residents, local chefs, urban farmers and community leaders together for food, film and conversations about food access, sustainability and the future of Chicago’s food system.

This event featured excerpts from Food 2050 and highlighted community-driven efforts to build a healthier, more sustainable food system in Austin.

Shelia Owens, executive director of GSJ Family Life Center, served as the panel moderator. Derrick S. Patrick Jr., program coordinator and founder/treasurer of Austin Garden Collective; Anika Coates, senior manager of horticulture and wellness at Bethel New Life; and Kenya Vera-Sample, owner and operator of DuSable City Winery and Vineyards, served as panelists.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/17/austin-eats-highlights-west-side-food-leaders/

The former Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church at 832 N. Leclaire, previously occupied by St. Mark International...
08/19/2026

The former Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church at 832 N. Leclaire, previously occupied by St. Mark International Christian Church until more than a decade ago, may have a buyer.

Commercial real estate agent Fermin Perez of Century 21 Circle said Monday that the church, which has been vacant for years and is pocked by graffiti and broken windows, along with structural problems, is for sale for $90,000 and could be purchased by an unnamed nonprofit as early as Thursday.

He said that while St. Mark is technically the owner of the property, Brea, Calif.-based Ministry Partners Investments Company LLC is the mortgagee and will be meeting with Perez and the nonprofit that morning to discuss a deal and plans for the property, which could include a church, community center and possibly apartments.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/17/ownership-questions-plague-future-vacant-austin-church/

For 50 years, Treatment Alternatives for Stronger Communities has helped West Siders navigate behavioral health and subs...
08/17/2026

For 50 years, Treatment Alternatives for Stronger Communities has helped West Siders navigate behavioral health and substance use challenges in the legal system.

Earlier this summer, TASC held its anniversary celebration at its Chicago office, announced a new overdose prevention campaign on the South Side and honored the decades of work they’ve done in providing wraparound services and evidence-based programming for people statewide.

That work extends to Chicago’s West Side, where TASC has served residents since its inception in 1976. It expanded citywide services to the rest of the state in 1981, including specialized case management that helps interrupt cycles of instability, sends reminders for court dates and hand offs participants to recovery services.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/10/tasc-50th-anniversary/

Music, performances and community spirit filled Greater St. John Bible Church on Aug. 7 as residents gathered for its “W...
08/16/2026

Music, performances and community spirit filled Greater St. John Bible Church on Aug. 7 as residents gathered for its “Who’s Got Talent!” event that brought together local performers, families and community members for the church’s annual scholarship initiative.

The GSJ Scholarship Initiative invests in students’ education, empowering their dreams and helping them build a bright future. Through scholarships, mentorship and encouragement, the initiative provides students with the financial assistance and resources they need to pursue academic excellence and reach their full potential.

Who’s Got Talent! featured nine acts, including singers and dancers, rappers and a group of vocalists. The church is located at 1256 N. Waller Ave., Chicago.

Lead pastor Rev. Dr. Ira J. Acree congratulated the participants as well as the sponsors, partners and volunteers.

“This is our 25th year. We started in 2001. When we first started, we didn’t raise hardly anything, about $4,000 or $5,000. But now we’re up to $50,000,” Acree said.

Read more: https://www.austinweeklynews.com/2026/08/10/greater-st-johns-whos-got-talent-raises-funds-student-scholarships/

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