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The Chicago Public Library has announced its fall programming for the Renaissance Project, an initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation aimed at expanding access to archival materials highlighting Chicago’s Black history. The project seeks to showcase lesser-known African American voices through a series of workshops and performances.
New additions to this season’s lineup include an Illustration 101 class honoring Chester Commodore, a cartoonist for the Chicago Defender; a workshop on building cigar box guitars with a live performance by Vino Louden celebrating Chicago’s Blues tradition; and beginner sculpting sessions inspired by Richard Hunt and Marion Perkins. Programs from previous seasons will continue, such as creating plane models in honor of Dr. Leonidas Berry, founder of the Flying Black Medics, and crafting hairpieces inspired by entrepreneur Marjorie Stewart Joyner.
Each event begins with an introduction about the individual or organization that inspired it, using archival materials from both the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson Regional Library and Special Collections at Harold Washington Library Center.
All programs are free and open to the public. Event highlights include:
- A postcard-making workshop led by photographer Arion Davis focusing on vintage postcards from historic Black neighborhoods.
- The Community Portrait Workshop led by Sulyiman Stokes, offering portraits for participants while discussing Dr. Margaret Burroughs’ legacy.
- A diddley bow-building session presented by musician Coco Elysses exploring Chicago's blues guitar heritage.
- An illustration workshop examining Chester Commodore’s contributions with artist Anthony Fowler Jr.
- Sculpting classes spotlighting Richard Hunt and Marion Perkins, led by Joy Joshua.
- A musical journey through Delta to Chicago Blues performed by Vino Louden.
- "Rhythms of Our Roots," an immersive sonic experience curated by DJ Rae Chardonnay, CPL’s first DJ Scholar-in-Residence.
- Teen-only workshops on music history with DJ Rae Chardonnay.
- Plane-building workshops commemorating Dr. Leonidas Berry.
- Piano performances centered on Chicago's Black classical music heritage featuring works tied to organizations like NANM and Roosevelt University’s Chicago Musical College.
- Advertising and storytelling workshops using material from Ebony & Jet magazines in the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection with Arion Davis.
- Diorama collage creation inspired by artists featured in the 1940 American Negro Exposition led by Anayansi Ricketts.
- Hair ornament design sessions after learning about Marjorie Stewart Joyner with jeweler Joy Joshua.
"The programs offer something for everyone to discover," according to organizers.
"Dr. Margaret Burroughs is widely regarded for her work as a writer, an artist, and for having helped establish two key Chicago cultural institutions: the South Side Community Arts Center and the DuSable Museum that provides venues to African American artists spaces to both fashion and display their culture and history inside their community."
"Chester Commodore is one of the most influential and acclaimed African American cartoonists. During the nearly 50 years his cartoons appeared in the Chicago Defender, he used his art to advocate for racial justice, human rights, and equality of opportunity."
These events are made possible through support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation via a grant awarded to the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
The library encourages visitors to explore further resources at both archival locations that have inspired these programs. Select materials have also been digitized for online access via CPL's digital collections.
