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Join COMMON, Hebru Brantley, Francine Turk, Chef Jason Hammel & More @MCA 12.12 | Reception: 6PM | Art Showcase: 8PM | After-Party: 9:30
About Art of the City:
CHICAGO: THE MASTERPIECE OF THE MIDWEST Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, many would agree that there is “something extra special” about Chicago. From the music, to visual and performing arts, and everything in between, Chicago could easily be considered an incubator and the epicenter of raw talent responsible for introducing & elevating old and new genres of art across the nation and around the globe.
EVENT PREMISE: On Thursday, December 12, 2019, The Common Ground Foundation (CGF) will partner with the Museum of Contemporary Art to produce an art walk featuring Chicago bred or based artists who have contributed to the rich cultural tapestry of Chicago. This event will serve as the annual Common Ground Foundation fundraiser to provide students from Chicago an opportunity to participate in our year-round program.
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO BENEFIT THE STUDENTS OF COMMON GROUND FOUNDATION
Honorary Chair
Marc Brooks
Frank Clark
Les Coney
Kimbra Walter
Hosting Committee
Theaster Gates
Gail & John Ward
The Moe Group
Erika Bracey
Jonavan Smith
Quick Details
When?
Thursday, December 12, 2019
6:30 PM CST - 12:00 AM CST
Where?
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
Featured Artists
COMMON
Chicago Hip Hop Artist, Actor, Author, Philanthropist
Common is a Grammy award winning hip-hop artist who first rose to prominence in the 1990s with the release of his debut album Can I Borrow A Dollar? He also became an actor with roles in the AMC western television series Hell on Wheels and in such movies as Smokin' Aces, American Gangster, Terminator Salvation and Suicide Squad, as well as the author of two New York Times Best Sellers One Day It Will All Make Sense and Let Love Have The Last Word. He is also the Founder of The Common Ground Foundation, Imagine Justice, and Art In Motion.
Hebru Brantley
Chicago Grafitti Artist, Painter
Hebru Brantley creates narrative driven work revolving around his conceptualized iconic characters. Brantley utilizes these iconic characters to address complex ideas around nostalgia, the mental psyche, power and hope. Brantley uses the lineage of mural and graffiti work as a frame to explore his inquiries.
Francine Turk
Chicago Fine Artist, Entrepreneur
Francine Turk breaks the rules of constraint. As artist and visionary behind Francine Turk Studio, she seamlessly blends thoughtful beauty with the
dramatically raw and vulnerable nuances of life. Her artwork stems from a constant excavation of her truth and is revealed as a layered expression of
emotion and discovery, evoking a connective and visceral response from the viewer.
Louis De Guzman
Chicago Visual Artist
Louis De Guzman is a Chicago-based visual artist and designer who creates artwork that merges his past with his present. De Guzman’s geometric abstraction style often blends together images and stories that evoke his family’s immigrant journey, and his own experience as a second generation Filipino American.
Harold Green
Chicago Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Emcee
Primarily a poet, Harold Green is an ever-evolving artist with a skill set that defies categorization. He is the creator of numerous recorded albums, videos, plays and, above all else, artist platforms. He has hosted popular open mic events and performed at festivals, rallies and colleges across the country for almost a decade and a half, consistently. He is the architect and curator of “Flowers for the Living”, an annual collaboration project with some of the best singers and musicians Chicago has to offer.
ART OF THE CITY is designed to be the official fundraiser for the Common Ground Foundation. Led by 2 Michelin Star Chefs and an array of artists, this evening event will host a VIP & General taking guests on a journey impacting all senses. Upon conclusion of the receptions, guests will enjoy an Art Showcase featuring local artists paired with young creative students from the Common Ground Foundation in music, dance, spoken word & song. The evening will conclude with an art-walk featuring student and local artists & and afterparty honoring Chicago DJs & Musicians Past Present & Future.
Additional Details
EVENT FORMAT
6:00 PM ARRIVALS
6:30 PM - 7: 30 PM
VIP RECEPTION
GENERAL RECEPTION
7:50 PM - 8: 00 PM
Welcome Address
8:00 PM - 9: 30 PM
ART SHOWCASE
9:30 PM - 12:00 AM
ART WALK & AFTER PARTY
Common Ground Foundation
The Common Ground Foundation was founded by Academy Award Winning Artist, Actor, and Author Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. known as “Common”.
More than 10 years ago, Common committed his time and resources to help inner-city youth in his hometown of Chicago. Our work reaches high school students through mentoring and college preparation programs. Our focus areas are character development, healthy living, financial literacy, technology, social impact, global leadership, and creative expression.
Common’s commitment to the foundation is both in spirit and deed as he donates significant time and resources to the organization. He also takes time to talk to youth across the country to keep inspiring them to dream beyond their circumstances.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Amazon Future Engineers pWc MCA
Can't attend?
All donations are welcome and appreciated