The Urban Art Retreat | and Sisters’ Place

We have located some great Volunteer Teachers and we are beginning our Summer Kids Program! Dianna, Matt, Hope, Kayla, Lauren, Ricardo, Tasha and others have set up the family sessions at their homes (Kitchen Table Sessions) for tutoring in reading & writing.

The whole family will read outloud and write about what they read! Among other things the families will be reading from books written by President Obama! They will get to keep the books. The familiy with the best attendance will recieve a cash prize, store gift certificate, and toys for the kids. It is sort of like Survivor: Family Style! The materials used in this program are paid for by a grant from Steans Family Foundation which looks out for the N. Lawndale neighborhood.

We have also set up sessions to take place at the UAR site from 1-3 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. During this time we will work with kids on reading & writing. We will also have kids be involved with nature by gardening, picking up litter, and tending to the trees we planted at corner of S. Kedzie and 21st. Already we have pulled weeds and planted flowers and hostas on the corner here. Each day it doesn’t rain, we water the plants.

In addition, we will make art together. This is the favorite thing for the kids. They really like to make art. At the end of the summer, we will show art by UAR participants in the art gallery in our building. So far we have made cool art in little mats.

Any children who would like to join us at UAR sessions is welcome to do so.

You don’t have to live in the neighborhood.

You do have to have your parent come and register you. Children who are late or attend only sometimes, should bring $5.00 each time they show up. It is free for children who are on time and come to each session. Consistency pays off!

Our gallery currently is showing a national Show of Art by Contemporary Artists
from Around the U.S.A. at Liz Long Gallery at URBAN ART RETREAT, 1957 S. Spaulding Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60623

The artists include:
Kate Bronwyn from Portland, Oregon
Brian Skinner from N.Y.C.,
Tony Biegen from Santa Barbara, California
Jane Strauss from Minnesota
Tim Lefens from New Jersey
Jennifer Weigel from St. Louis, Missouri
Marcia Haffmans from Minnesota
Alan Jeffrey of Minnesota
Joy Baer from Kansas
Ryan Olsen from Connecticut
Dail Chambers from Missouri
Steven Edmundson from Minnesota
Ralph Jumbeck from Minnesota

The reception featured an art appreciation discussion for those who attended.
Mexican pastries and Middleastern tea was served.

The show will be on display through June 27.
On June 27 there is planned a plein art session out in the gardens for anyone who wants to participate. It will be led by Jennifer Weigel, one of the artists from Minnesota.

Do you know someone from another state who is a great artist and would like to show their art here in Chicago? Spring Emerging Artists Show of works by artists from states other than Illinois May 9 - June 27, 2009.

Maybe you are an artist living in a state other than Illinois? Maybe this show is for you!

Well, Liz Long Gallery at URBAN ART RETREAT is presenting a Spring Emerging Artists
show of art by people from other states.

Email address is sophiebella@sbcglobal.net
Send images of current work you would like to show.

Guidelines info. for Spring Emerging Artists Show
at Liz Long Art Gallery will be emailed to you!

These images are from some of the artists who have responded so far!

Your art must reach the gallery by May 2, 2009. Artists are responsible for costs of getting
art to & from the gallery. No art more than 30″ in any direction. All media considered. Send images of your art to email address A.S.A.P.

Liz Long Art Gallery
URBAN ART RETREAT
1957 S. Spaulding Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60623 Land of Obama!
www.urbanartretreat.com

What a great place to live if you are a woman wanting to reside in a women’s residence, with lots of art and creativity everywhere! This is the place for women who are busy with their own life goals and appreciate the support and interest in their achievements! We have a homey atmosphere, encourage consideration for each other’s privacy and respect for each other’s belongings. There is an opening for February 1 and an opening for April 1. Could that be you? You can check out the www.sistersplacechicago.org website. Or take a look around on this website - the Sisters’ Place page. Send us an email at sophiebella@sbcglobal.net

URBAN ART RETREAT Annual Dinner for Newcomers!

January 31 5-7 p.m.
at Lou Malnati’s Restaurant 3859 W. Ogden at corner of Cermak Rd.

First timers receive a gift! So if you have never been to the annual URBAN ART RETREAT Dinner, plan on attending this year. Wasn’t that you who wanted to step out of your comfort zone and meet some new people? We are all about non-violence and being inclusive! And we like art & healing!

There will be a brief presentation about URBAN ART RETREAT and some materials to read to learn more. For instance, did you know UAR offers free art classes for adults on Saturdays from 11-2 ? And you don’t need any art experience to enjoy the art sessions? Did you know that UAR offers space for you to give or take a workshop? Did you know we are looking for writers?

Each person will have a chance to introduce themselves on January 31 and briefly tell what they are doing right now or what cause they think is important. Maybe some people are looking for work and the rest of us can keep them in mind. Perhaps someone is starting a new job and would like to share their excitement. There might be a person present looking for help to distribute food to the needy next month? Perhaps some one’s play is opening and we will be invited to take a look? Maybe someone teaches free art classes and will invite everyone to try it out? Maybe someone is beginning college!

We will eat pizza and pasta and quench our thirst. After the dinner at Lou Malnati’s Restaurant, everyone will be invited over to nearby URBAN ART RETREAT for dessert and a last look at the current show on closing day.

Dinner is usually around $6-$7-$8 per person.
We really hope you decide to try something new and join the rest of us who will be there too! See you there!

URBAN ART RETREAT 1957 S. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60623
773-542-9126 sophiebella@sbcglobal.net www.urbanartretreat.com