Celebrating Chicago Artists Month 2014-Crossing Borders

I have a strong dislike for designated dates such as "mother's day", "father's day", "valentine's day", "Latino Heritage month", "African American month", and the list can go on and on.
October is considered Chicago Artist Month. No sure how this month became "the" month to honor artists... The city build up momentum toward "the artist's month" by designating a theme for it.  Artists need to develop programs, artworks, and/or events around the theme. This year the theme is "Crossing Borders". 

My studio is at the Fine Arts Building where I am the art coordinator for a small membership base collective of artists. This year's theme really applies to who we are. I wrote for the Chicago Artists Month web site (http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/2nd-fridays-fab-studios):

"We are a patchwork of creative energy intersecting the lines of our cultural, artistic, and personal views in our practices under one roof. A painter inspired by a fiber artist, a musician playing a tune in response to artwork in our gallery, a writer who finds inspiration in the sound of a practicing voice or the melody of the piano or violin.... an artist who finds refuge in the meditative space of a yoga studio, another painter who explores the crossing paths of spirituality and art with her vibrant symbolic imagery....inviting all those who appreciate art and music, seek the pleasure of walking into the used bookstore (complete with guardian cat), or want to try a quick tap lesson at the dance center. Every 2nd Friday of every month we open our studios to the public. 

The event is free."

In celebration of the theme "Crossing Borders" the artists of the Fine Arts Building present an exhibition of exclusively collaborative artwork "Outside of the Box:  Collaborative Works by Artists at the Fine Arts Building"  This show will be a fusion of styles and backgrounds, all coming together in one show, all created by artists working in the Fine Arts Building. "Outside of the Box:  Collaborative Works by Artists at the Fine Arts Building". The opening is Friday October 10th

I collaborated with Shakta Kaur, a Yogi owner of Kundalini Yoga in the Loop, housed at FAB on the 5th floor. We created a mosaic with beach glass Shakta found on the 12th St. beach during her morning walks. We titled it "Meditation Peace".

Meditation Peace. Mosaic. 12" x 12"

We did have a lot of fun! I hope you have a chance to stop by the Fine Arts Building, view the gallery

-where our mosaic will be exhibited among many other wonderful collaboration pieces of artworks-, and take the time to visit many studios within the building.

To see all the activities taking place this month go here http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org