Block Party Kicks Off SAIC’s 150th Anniversary
This weekend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) launched its yearlong 150th Anniversary celebration with block parties for students, Chicago families, and SAIC alumni, faculty, and staff from the School and museum. Planned to coincide with EXPO Chicago, the events filled the corner of State and Harrison Streets in downtown Chicago with the sights and sounds of the SAIC community.
On Friday, September 18, SAIC students, faculty, and staff gathered under the tents for an eclectic evening of music by DJs Sadie Woods (MFA 2016) and Nevin Tomlinson (MFA 2002) and marching band Mucca Pazza, plus performances by Claire Ashley (MFA 1995, SAIC Faculty), Joshua Patterson (MFA 2014), Red Rum (Post-Bac 2003, MFA 2005), SAIC alum Angela Eve, and Miss Tosh (BFA 2013). Photo Gallery: Student Block Party
Saturday, September 19, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., SAIC’s Continuing Studies hosted a family-friendly block party with t-shirt decorating, mural painting, style wars, photo opportunities and other fun activities for all ages. Photo Gallery: Continuing Studies Block Party
Photo by Cory Dewald
Saturday evening, SAIC alumni, faculty, and staff from the School and museum attended the final celebration of the day, which featured tastings of craft beers brewed by alumni and faculty breweries just for the occasion. Gabriel Magliaro (BFA 2003) of Half Acre Beer Company offered Harshad, a hop-forward Kölsch, which was featured in a DNAinfo profile of the alum. Benjamin Finch (BFA 2002) of Finch’s Beer Company debuted Berry 150 Taco Cat at the event, and Professor Shawn Decker (Sound, Art and Technology Studies) presented Bio Buzz.
An exciting lineup of music and performances also featured the work of SAIC alumni, faculty, and staff: DJ JUPITER XI, Ursula Andreef (BFA 2015); the Velcro Lewis Group, Andy Slater (BFA 2013) and Jeffrey Hanson (BFA 1996); DJ Ward 5, Nick Ferreira (Staff); Claire Ashley (MFA 1995, SAIC Faculty); and Prob Cause, Colin Grimm (MFA 2014). Photo Gallery: Alumni Block Party
The 150th Anniversary festivities will continue throughout the 2015–16 academic year. See a full schedule of events.
In celebration of alum Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks opening current SAIC students were invited to submit artworks inspired by O’keeffe and the city of Chicago.
An image from the exhibition opening of “My Chicagos: SAIC Students Honor Georgia O’Keeffe.”