Your 2019 Beverly Art Walk Survival Guide

CHICAGO — The Beverly Art Walk returns to the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood on the South Side this Saturday, Sept. 21 for its sixth annual event. Hundreds of artists will be stationed at local businesses and other places in the neighborhoods as they turn them into galleries from noon to 6 p.m. that day.

Needless to say, organizers with the Beverly Area Arts Alliance are excited for this weekend.

"The Art Walk brings me so much joy - joy in having art throughout our neighborhood and joy in the people I've met and become friends with because of it," Art Walk co-founder Monica Wilczak said.

"The Alliance is a small but mighty group that has had an incredible impact on our community by being a welcoming and inclusive initiative - strangers have come up to me to thank us for helping make the neighborhood a place that feels like home for them, and others have said they moved here because Beverly/Morgan Park has such a vibrant arts community."

Sal Campbell, the other co-founder of the Alliance shares what she likes most about Art Walk day.

"The thing I love most about the Art Walk is it’s more than just an event to show art," Campbell said. "It truly brings people together and fosters community. It has a special spot in my heart. I’ve met many of my dearest friends through the Art Walk."

"So many people in the community bring their creativity, talent, hard work and enthusiasm to this event, it really makes it a lot of fun... We all feel so proud to show off the neighborhood this way."

Chris Castaneda, another member of the Art Walk committee, is just as excited.

"After months of planning and raising funds by the Alliance, it's great to see the Art Walk finally come to life and open its arms to the diverse audience it continues to attract," he said. "The Art Walk is a window to the arts on the South Side that the neighborhood and city should be proud to celebrate."

So before you go, take a look at our survival guide below to help prepare you for what has become one of the best days of the year in the neighborhood.

Who

About 200 artists will have their work displayed at more than 60 venues throughout Beverly/Morgan Park.

When

The Beverly Art Walk will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Where

At locations throughout the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods on the South Side. A number are along the 99th Street, 103rd Street and Western Avenue business corridors, with some spots popping up on residential streets as well.

Go here for a full list of places in the neighborhood that will be hosting artists and their works on Saturday.

Weather Forecast

Early in the week, the predicted weather forecast for the Beverly-Mt. Greenwood area calls for temperatures in the 70's and some light rain throughout the day on Saturday. Follow the local weather forecast here

Music Stage

This year, musical performances during the Art Walk will take place at the Givins Castle, 10244 S. Longwood Drive. Here's the lineup for the music stage:

• Noon - 1:45 p.m.: Ayana Contreras
• 2-2:40 p.m.: The Flips
• 3-3:45 p.m.: Gina Bloom & Chuck Sansone of The Congregation
• 4-4:45 p.m.: Jon Langford
• 5:15-6 p.m.: PCGB

Local Food Fest

This year a food fest featuring several Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood eateries will be held during the Art Walk at Noshin' on 99th, 1819 W. 99th St. Americanos, BBQ911, Ellie’s, Nicky’s, Rainbow Cone and Swanson’s Deli will be there.

For The Kids

Once again, a "Children's Park" will be available at Clissold Elementary School, 2350 W. 110th Place with kids activities during the walk.

Scavenger Hunt

For the second year in a row, the Art Walk will feature a scavenger hunt. Scavenger hunt materials will be available at the Alliance Table at the Uprising Craft Market, the Children's Park at Clissold and Joplin Marley at 99th and Walden, as well as on the two trolleys.

Trolleys

Trolley stops will be made throughout the neighborhood to help transport art walkers from venue to venue.

How It All Began

The Beverly Art Walk formed as a result of a 2014 meeting between co-founders Sal Campbell and Monica Wilczak. Both longtime neighborhood residents who share a common hairdresser, the two were introduced and the first walk was in the plans shortly after that.

READ MORE: A Look Back At How The Beverly Art Walk Began

The Program

The Beverly Area Arts Alliance has released its full program online here. This lists where all artists will be during the walk and include additional information on certain venues that will host artists for the day.

A Few Suggestions

With hundreds of artists coming to the neighborhood for the Art Walk, it would be impossible for us to get to know them all. But here are a few we do know are really, really good.

• Preston Thomas will be at RMH Design, 1804 W. 103rd St.
• T.C. English-Dumont will be at Beverly Yoga, 1917 W. 103rd St.
• Dorothy Straughter will have her quilts at the Paul Harris House, 10856 S. Longwood Drive.
• The Uprising Market, 1908 W. 103rd St. will feature the works of 40 different artists. A good place to go if you are pressed for time and want to get a look at a little bit of everything.

The Frunchroom

Art Walk week activities began Tuesday night with an edition of The Frunchroom live storytelling series at the Beverly Art Center. Donations at The Frunchroom events, held quarterly, support the Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

Have Fun!

Save for the South Side Irish Parade, no neighborhood event brings more visitors than the Beverly Art Walk, which has become the most hyped local fall event since it began in 2014. Come for the great artwork, stay for everything else our community offers and come back again and again.