Exhibition + Classes
February 1 - March 11, 2016
Related Events
Community Partner Registration Opens: Weds, Jan 20, 2016
General Public Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 25, 2016
Exhibition Opening Reception [RSVP]: Fri, Feb 12, 2016
Shared Language is a community classroom and exhibition that uses a broad definition of language to investigate modes of communication and the transfer of knowledge through experimental learning. Following in a tradition of free school models locally and globally, this school will give critical thought to the value that can be found in different kinds of cultivated and experiential knowledge and who can be defined as teacher, all while designing the curriculum around the needs and interests of our local community.
Alongside the classes, the Shared Language exhibition features work by teaching artists Carris Adams, Reginald Eldridge Jr., David Anthony Geary, James Jankowiak, Trisha Oralie Martin, Victoria Martinez, and Grace Needlman, with site-specific installations by Alex Bradley Cohen and Gloe. Each of these artists incorporate their relationship to educational systems within their work or actively teach in local arts organizations, museums, grassroots organizations, and Chicago Public Schools.
Presented by Arts + Public Life.
Class Schedule
Please Note: Space is limited for each class, so please be sure that you are able to attend when signing up. Otherwise, someone else might miss out on the opportunity to attend. Sign-up for all classes must go through registration at the class links below.
Committed Knitters: A Program of the Southside Economic Development Project
Every Wednesday from 12-3pm
Instructors: Committed Knitters
*No registration required, just stop by!
Tell Me What You See, Pt. 1 + Pt. 2
Tues, Feb 2 (Pt. 1), Tues, Feb 9 (Pt. 2), 6-8pm each class
Instructor: Camille Ann Brewer, Executive Director of Black Metropolis Research Consortium
*Attending both sessions is required
Hair Braiding: Practice, Politics and Culture
Wed, Feb 3, 2-5pm
Instructors: Sarah Beth Woods and Fatimata Traore, 2015 Crossing Boundaries Prize Artists
What does this mean?: An Exploration of Meaning Making with Materials and Metaphors
Wed, Feb 3, 6-8pm + Wed, Feb 17, 6-8pm (Click the date for registration)
Instructor: Devin Mays, MFA Candidate at University of Chicago's Department of Visual Arts
*Attending both classes is not required.
Digital Map Making
Thurs, Feb 4, 6-8pm
Instructor: Paola Aguirre, Architect + Research Analyst for Arts + Public Life's Place Lab
The Branded Self
Fri, Feb 5, 12-2pm
Instructor: Ronia Holmes, Asst. Director of Communications for Arts + Public Life
From Basic Rhythm to Beats and Rhyme, Pt. 1 + Pt. 2
Fri, Feb 5, (Pt. 1) + Fri, Feb 19, (Pt. 2), 6-8pm each class
Instructor: Aquil Charlton, 2015/16 Artist-in-Residence
*Attending both sessions is required
Inside the Poetry of Fantasy: An Interactive Workshop
Sat, Feb 6, 2-3:30pm
Instructors: The poets of Rebirth Poetry Ensemble
Grantwriting 101
Tues, Feb 9, 12-2pm
Instructor: Maria Gray, Asst Director of Development for Arts + Public LIfe
Studio In Your Pocket
Wed, Feb 10, 1-3pm
Instructor: Alberto Aguilar, 2014/15 Crossing Boundaries Artist-in-Residence
Unearthing Personal Stories
Wed, Feb 10, 5:30 - 7pm
Instructor: Emily Hooper Lansana, Associate Director of Community Arts Engagement for Logan Center For the Arts
Postcard Obscura - Talkin' Bad About Us: Othering in Visual Culture, Pt. 1 + Pt. 2
Thurs, Feb 11 (Pt. 1), Thurs, Mar 3 (Pt. 2), 6-7pm each class
Instructor: Isis Ferguson, Program Manager for Arts + Public Life's Place Lab
*Attending both sessions is required
Shared Language Exhibition Opening Reception
Fri, Feb 12, 6-8pm
Featuring work by Carris Adams, Reginald Eldridge Jr., David Geary, James Jankowiak, Trisha Oralie Martin, Victoria Martinez, and Grace Needlman, with site-specific installations by Alex Bradley Cohen and Gloe.
*No registration required. Free and open to the public
An Agenda to Build Black Futures Leading Up to the State's Attorney Elections, An Introduction
Mon, Feb 15, 6-9pm
Instructors: Black Youth Project 100, Keyholders at Arts + Public Life
What’s Going On? Finding a Shared Language for Transformation on Chicago’s South Side
Tues, Feb 16, 1:30-3:30pm
Instructor: Race and Pedagogy Working Group at the University of Chicago
Gender and Language in Quare TV
Tues, Feb 23, 6-8pm
Instructors: Aymar Jean Christian, Founder of Open TV; Rebecca Kling, artist; Andre Perez, artist
Form Is Function: A Digital Arts Workshop
Wed, Feb 24, 6-8pm + Wed, Mar 9, 6-8pm (Click the date for registration)
Instructor: James T. Green, 2014/15 Artist-in-Residence
*Attending both classes is not required.
Fort Follows Function
Thurs, Feb 25, 6-8pm
Instructor: Mejay Gula, Building Strategist and Construction Manager for Arts + Public Life's Place Lab
Poetry In Motion: The Silent Music and Rhythm of American Sign Language
Fri, Feb 26, 6-8pm + Fri, Mar 4, 6-8pm (Click the date for registration)
Instructor: Maya Lori, Gallery Attendant at Rebuild Foundation
*Attending both classes is not required.
Conceivable Future: Testifying for Climate and Reproductive Justice
Sat., Mar 5, 4:30-6:30pm
Instructor: Josephine Ferorelli, writer; Meghan Kallman, sociologist
Archive Redux
Wed, Mar 2, 6-8pm
Instructor: Skylah Hearn, Archivist at Rebuild Foundation
Bambara Language and Culture
Tues, Mar 8, 3-6pm
Instructor: Fatimata Traore, 2015 Crossing Boundaries Prize Artist
Each One, Teach One
Tues, Mar 8, 6-8pm
Instructors: Assata's Daughters, Keyholders at Arts + Public Life
Footwork on Film and In Performance
Thurs, Mar 10, 6-7pm
Instructors: Jamal "Litebulb" Oliver and Wills Glasspiegel, 2015 Crossing Boundaries Prize Artists