Chicago Park District's Anchor Curatorial Residency Presents A New Visual Arts Exhibition, Diversión, in Marquette Park

Opening reception to feature open mic performances, print workshop and food giveaway for Chicago residents and visitors

The visual art exhibition, titled diversión, is open to people of all ages, and will feature curation by 2023-2024 Chicago Park District Curator-in-Residence Carlos Flores; design by Human Scale; and works by exhibiting artists Oscar B. Castillo and Wil Sands, Marylu E. Herrera, Marimacha Monarca Press, Deon Reed and Titus Wonsey.

The Chicago Park District's Anchor Curatorial Residency is an 18-month program that culminates in a collaborative exhibition on park district land. The residency is anchored by an outdoor exhibition and performance venue designed by Human Scale with consultation from the park staff and its community. The exhibition titled diversion is curated by the 2023/2024 Anchor Curator-in-Residence, Carlos Flores, and aims to use public art as a catalyst for deepening relationships between Marquette Park and the area's diverse residents.

Attendees can expect music, food from local Belizean restaurant Garifuna Flava, printmaking with Marimacha Monarca Press and more. There will be performances from other Southwest side artists, an open mic portion and a food giveaway from Dion's Chicago Dream.

After the opening reception, participants can also sign up for additional, free culture and arts programming on the Park District's website. There will be birding classes, storytelling workshops and more. For more information, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events.

WHEN: Opening reception is Friday, September 20 from 4pm - 9pm. It is free and open to the public. The exhibition will be on display at Marquette Park until Friday, November 1, and is open to the public Monday - Friday, 9am - 9pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 9am - 5pm.

WHERE: The exhibit and opening reception will be hosted at Marquette Park at 6743 S. Kedzie Ave.

The title of the exhibition plays on a cognate-a word that shares spelling but holds different nuances in the English and Spanish languages. In English, "diversion" implies a redirection, a turning away from the ordinary. In Spanish, "diversión" signifies fun, a joyful escape. These layered meanings emphasize the power of public art to create spaces of play and communion, and to facilitate collective enjoyment and rest. The opening reception is a celebration of all of the above.