Opening, March 31, 5-8PM

This multi-media show will feature art, sculpture, and photography done by the people of Chicago's Maxwell Street and a documentary video by Maria Montes, student at the School of the Art Institute.

There will be an opening evening celebration on March 31, 2001 from 5-8pm at Gallery 2 on the 2nd floor of 847 W. Jackson Avenue, The White Tower building.

Included in the opening evening festivities will be live Blues music by Jimmie Lee Robinson, Mr. H, Bobby Davis, LaJune, and other Maxwell Street Blues legends; a demonstration of the percussive house keys by Bluesman and folk artist, Frank 'Little Sonny' Scott Jr., who contributed his homemade folk art posters to the exhibit; a showing of a recently created documentary video about Maxwell Street; and an environmental discourse by folk artist and Maxwell Street resident: Tyner White. Mr. White's recycled wood creations are part of the show. Residents and street vendors from Maxwell Street are also expected to attend.

Ms. Montes will be giving out a free Maxwell Street Ezine which includes a newly recorded music CD.

In addition, free Maxwell Street Polish Sausages will be served to the first 20 people attending the exhibit.

The show will be up from April 1-14, 2001. There is no charge for admission.

Gallery hours are Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sundays 12-5pm; and for extended evening viewing: April 5 and 12, 10am-8pm.

There is Meter parking available on Peoria Street and Jackson Boulevard, and paid parking in the lot at the corner of Green Street and Jackson Boulevard and at 310 S. Peoria Street.

Maria Montes, the show's creator, says, "For me, it is in the interplay between artist and community that creation emerges. Art is in community; not just in museums. To capture it, I became part of this community. In spite of the damage purposely done to it by UIC and Daley, this is a place still full of life and beauty. It is immoral that such an important historic and cultural place, and its people, are being cut off from society and treated like trash, to be tossed out in dumpsters. It is needless destruction. I hope this show will inspire and teach people to really see Maxwell Street, understand it, and save it."

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