Exhibit showcases work inspired by innovative arts program
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Jean Parisi, Frank Melcori, Susana Aguilar, and Lionel Bottari from Pro Arts Ensemble. Photo: Courtesy of Diana Solis
In the late 1970s, a group of neighbors in Pilsen decided to do something radical — teach art to children across the city for free.
The big picture: The collective known as the Pros Arts Studio ensemble visited schools, parks and community centers to perform plays with clowns and puppets and help young people tap into their own artistic talents.
- For some students, it was the only arts education they received.
Driving the news: Photos, ephemera, oral histories and old homemade theater set pieces outlining the history and evolution of the ensemble are on display now at "Imagination Doctors" at Gallery 400.
- The exhibition also features newly commissioned works by some former students of Pro Arts Studio.
State of play: Because children and play were at the center of the ensemble's work, several interactive works complete the exhibition, including a large wooden plank on wheels lined with dozens of red markers. A visitor wheels the piece of wood to the wall, removes the pen caps and draws on the wall by maneuvering the plank.
Flashback: In the mid-'70s, artists Lionel Bottari, Ruth Bowman and Jean Parisi created studio space and taught workshops at St. Procopius school in Pilsen.
- Teachers and neighbors heard about the free arts classes and started bringing their students to St. Procopius.
- The group disbanded around 2018.
If you go: Imagination Doctors is open Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday, noon-5pm at Gallery 400 on UIC's campus.
Editor's note: This story has corrected to say the newly commissioned works in the exhibit were from students of Pro Arts Studio (not UIC alumni).