'Pop-Up Art Gallery' enlivens storefronts on Archer Avenue The Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Kennedy High School, started a Pop-Up Art Gallery in several Archer Avenue storefronts during the summer, and the goal is to expand it now that school is back in session.



Mary Ann Dybala, the president of the Garfield Ridge Chamber, credits chamber secretary Mary Ellen Brown with the idea.



She saw it done on the North Side and thought it would work here too, Dybala said.



According to the Chamber, there are approximately 17 vacant storefronts on Archer Avenue between Cicero and Harlem avenues. Pop-up galleries were placed in three of them during the summer, at 5910 S. Archer, and 6950 and 7110 W. Archer.



A recent visit to the locations at 5910 and 7110 found displays of colorful modern art.



According to notices on the display windows, the selected paintings represent a large installation at Kennedy High School produced in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago by artist James Jankowiak and students in Deborah Ryders art classes.



Dybala said the goal is to attract attention  and eventually tenants  to the vacant storefronts.



This is our first year, Dybala said. We are trying to expand it, and now that school is in session, we are getting more interest from teachers and students.



She said that in addition to art students from Kennedy, art students from St. Laurence High School in Burbank also are going to get involved this year.



Any property owner with a vacant storefront who would like to get involved may contact the Chamber of Commerce.



Several people walking past the artwork in the 5900 block of Archer said they had not noticed it before but liked it once it was pointed out to them.



For me, it looks very good, said Iza Cebuska. But I walk by here often and never noticed it before.



Haliva Paciora, who works in a medical office next door to the pop-up art gallery, said she knew it was there, but hasnt heard many clients talking about it since it went up in July.



It is very nice, but maybe we need a bigger sign to let people know it is there, she said.



Similar comments were made by people who saw the artwork on display in the window of the pop-up gallery at 7110 W. Archer.



Matt Pearl and Jenn Gawle, tattoo artists at Timeless Tattoos, 7112 W. Archer, said they liked having the little art gallery next door.



It is awesome to get the art into Garfield Ridge, Pearl said.



We know it is there, and we like it. But not too many people notice it. I hope the project grows and it is expanded, Gawle said. — Southwest News Herald



The Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Kennedy High School, started a Pop-Up Art Gallery in several Archer Avenue storefronts during the summer, and the goal is to expand it now that school is back in session.Mary Ann Dybala, the president of the Garfield Ridge Chamber, credits chamber secretary Mary Ellen Brown with the idea.She saw it done on the North Side and thought it would work here too, Dybala said.According to the Chamber, there are approximately 17 vacant storefronts on Archer Avenue between Cicero and Harlem avenues. Pop-up galleries were placed in three of them during the summer, at 5910 S. Archer, and 6950 and 7110 W. Archer.A recent visit to the locations at 5910 and 7110 found displays of colorful modern art.According to notices on the display windows, the selected paintings represent a large installation at Kennedy High School produced in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago by artist James Jankowiak and students in Deborah Ryders art classes.Dybala said the goal is to attract attention  and eventually tenants  to the vacant storefronts.This is our first year, Dybala said. We are trying to expand it, and now that school is in session, we are getting more interest from teachers and students.She said that in addition to art students from Kennedy, art students from St. Laurence High School in Burbank also are going to get involved this year.Any property owner with a vacant storefront who would like to get involved may contact the Chamber of Commerce.Several people walking past the artwork in the 5900 block of Archer said they had not noticed it before but liked it once it was pointed out to them.For me, it looks very good, said Iza Cebuska. But I walk by here often and never noticed it before.Haliva Paciora, who works in a medical office next door to the pop-up art gallery, said she knew it was there, but hasnt heard many clients talking about it since it went up in July.It is very nice, but maybe we need a bigger sign to let people know it is there, she said.Similar comments were made by people who saw the artwork on display in the window of the pop-up gallery at 7110 W. Archer.Matt Pearl and Jenn Gawle, tattoo artists at Timeless Tattoos, 7112 W. Archer, said they liked having the little art gallery next door.It is awesome to get the art into Garfield Ridge, Pearl said.We know it is there, and we like it. But not too many people notice it. I hope the project grows and it is expanded, Gawle said. Submit your opinion

