Art Connects Us, Volume 21

At the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), our community has responded to the current moment as true citizen artists.

Their work demonstrates a belief in our interconnectedness as people and our shared responsibility to make positive change. We know headlines may be overwhelming these days, so below you’ll find good news highlighting the incredible efforts of SAIC’s artists and designers to forge and deepen connections with our communities.

We hope it inspires you for the week ahead.

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 16
Volume 17
Volume 18
Volume 19
Volume 20

Lecturer Sadie Woods Honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy in Her Mixtape
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lecturer Sadie Woods (MFA 2016) performed her mixtape “It Was A Rebellion” at a virtual event hosted by the Chicago History Museum. The Chicago Sun-Times interviewed Woods about her work commemorating Dr. King’s assassination and the nationwide riots that followed. read more

Assistant Professor Sarah Ross Advocates for Her Incarcerated Students
In South Side Weekly, Assistant Professor Sarah Ross talked about the challenges her incarcerated students are facing during the pandemic. Ross, who also serves as co-director of the Prison and Neighborhood Arts/Education Project, shared how she works to advocate for her students and build community from a distance. read more

Alum Nora Chin Talks About the Joy of Rug-Making During a Pandemic
The Chicago Reader interviewed alum Nora Chin (BFA 2016) about how the practice of rug-making has re-emerged during the pandemic. During her time at SAIC, Chin explored photography, drawing, painting, and ceramics, but over the past nine months, rugs have been an outlet for her humorous, nostalgic artworks. read more

Learning to Teach LGBTQ+ History
How do you teach a history that has so often been erased? When it comes to the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community, Associate Professor Karen Morris and Assistant Professor Adam Greteman believe that dialogues with elders (individuals 65 and older) play an essential role. Since 2019, they’ve facilitated countless connections between elders and SAIC students through the Center on Halsted. read more