The City of Evanston recognizes the important role of visual arts in the livability and vibrancy of the community. Recently, the Morton Civic Center has used several interior spaces to exhibit artists’ work. Notably, collections are presently displayed in the James C. Lytle Council Chambers, the second floor corridor, and the Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Gallery on the second floor.

The Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center

The Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center is located at 2100 Ridge Avenue in Evanston. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. For more information about the exhibits, please contact Cultural Arts Coordinator Jennifer Lasik at 847-859-7835.

Noyes Cultural Arts Center

Additionally, the Noyes Cultural Arts Center has galleries on the first and second floors which have hosted hundreds of renowned and impactful exhibitions by both local and regional artists. The first floor gallery currently displays work created by the artists in residence at Noyes as well as that of students who take classes from the instructors there. The second floor gallery is devoted to exhibitions by visiting artists; the exhibitions rotate several times per calendar year. Find out more information about exhibiting your work at Noyes Cultural Art Center here.

 

"Legacies"

The Shorefront traveling exhibit, "Legacies: Profiles on the North Shore," is now on display at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 210 Ridge Ave., Evanston. It will remain on display in the second floor hallway throughout 2018. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays..

The exhibit consists of 15 graphic panels profiling contemporary and historic people, organizations, and institutions, illustrating the lives and existence of thriving black communities that have been virtually ignored in historical context. 

The initial set of five panels was introduced in 2016 with additional panels released each year. "Legacies" has been exhibited twice at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, as well as at the "Bright Night for the Arts" event, Evanston Made (formerly Open Studios), Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center and the Evanston History Center.

“Legacies” is partially supported by a grant from the Evanston Arts Council, as well as the MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Stone Heritage Properties and the Frances Biedler Foundation.

Shorefront is a nonprofit archival center that collects, preserves and educates people about Black history on Chicago’s suburban North Shore. To learn more, visit www.shorefrontlegacy.org or follow Shorefront on Facebook and Twitter.

"Forgotten Cuba"

Community members are invited to view the "Forgotten Cuba" art exhibition in the north stairwell of the Morton Civic Center between the second and fourth floor.

This exhibition by local photographer, Jerry Alt, highlights approximately 50 fine art photographs from his April 2015 trip to Cuba. The people, culture and environment all have a place in these compelling images.

“When I ran across a unique opportunity to visit Cuba earlier this year with a small group of professional photographers, and to have access to the level of equipment provided by Phase One, I knew immediately that I had to take this trip before the influx of American tourists and money changed the culture forever. In the short time I spent with the Cuban people I was impressed with their positive attitudes, their optimism for the future, and the welcome I received from everyone.”

Alt is the owner of Bordeaux Studio, located at the corner of Church and Darrow in Evanston. In addition to his commercial business, his fine art focuses on nature and travel. He is on the Board of Directors of Chicago Photographic Society, a member of the Professional Photographers Association of America and the National Photographic Society. He is an active contributing member of various nature and photography-related organizations.