Exchange Events at The Art Center of Highland Park: Sam Lewis

Exchange Events are The Art Center’s continuing monthly Sunday Salon events, designed to showcase interesting and inspiring arts and culture-related artists, writers, filmmakers, and innovators. Many of the programs are free of charge and they all offer a chance for a question-and-answer session with the presenter.

Recent events have featured Highland Park native and world-renowned sculptor Donald Lipski, documentary filmmaker Bob Hercules, artist/designer Norman Teague, and Nick Pupillo, founder and artistic director of Visceral Dance Chicago. A whole new season is in the planning stages with these exciting events leading in the first few months of 2023.

Sculptor Omri Amrany of Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany is known for the Michael Jordan sculpture outside the United Center, the Veteran’s Memorial in Highland Park, and more recently the 24-foot statue of Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks. Free admission with online registration. January 22, 2023, 2-4 PM.

For February, in honor of Black History Month TAC has scheduled two Exchanges on back-to-back Sundays, February 19^th and 26^th.

Sam Lewis, a puppeteer known for exploring racial issues and negative iconography, will perform a collection of stories in a full-length performance piece tentatively titled, Everybody Knew Their Place. Sunday, February 19, 2-4 PM. There will be a small admission charge and pre-registration is required as there are a limited number of seats available. (Note to parents: This genre of puppet show offers valuable lessons for all ages but the subject matter is not necessarily geared toward young audiences).

Documentary filmmaker Brett A. Schwartz will screen Raised Up Westside, an award-winning documentary that “peels back the layers, exposing the deep-seated segregation, food insecurity, and mass incarceration that continue to shape predominantly Black neighborhoods”. Sunday, February 26, 2-4 PM. There will be a small admission charge and pre-registration is required as there are a limited number of seats available.

For more information on any of these or other upcoming events or the many other excellent programs offered by The Art Center Highland Park sign up for the newsletter or visit the website: theartcenterhp.org.

The Art Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the North Shore’s home for artistic discovery and creative exploration. Through innovative programs, exhibitions, and classes designed for all levels and ages, The Art Center provides a welcoming space for our diverse communities to experience and participate in the arts. TAC is located at 1957 Sheridan Road in Highland Park. Street parking and multiple city lots are available.