Creative Chicago

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Chicago love and immigrant work ethic propel truck driver turned fashion designer

Since establishing Gente Fina, in 2018, Emmanuel Cabrera’s designs have been seen at New York Fashion Week and have been worn by Bulls players and Mexican musical stars.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

The cover of the Sun-Times’ Creative Chicago section features an illustration made up of letters from signs, murals, graffiti and public artworks across the city.

Year In Review 2023

What went into our Creative Chicago cover? Thousands of steps, hundreds of snapshots

By Bryan Barker

Creative Chicago

Artists go with the flow at Palmer Square taco Tuesday jam

By Ale Russian

Creative Chicago

From the Editor: Chicago is bursting with creativity in unexpected places

Exploring the creative scene in our neighborhoods, off the beaten path.

Creative Chicago

Little Village youth share culture through graffiti mural project

Teenagers give a shape to their personal experiences while digging into their families’ stories and sharing with the community.

By Sandra Treviño

Creative Chicago

Ayodele Drum and Dance puts fresh steps into traditional footprints

West African dance company wows audiences with innovation while keeping sacred culture alive.

By D’onminique Boyd-Riley

Life-size mermaid sculpture cut into a limetsone black south of Oakwood Beach

Creative Chicago

Folk art across Chicago offers glimpse into pure creativity

Casting a net for art outside its traditional arenas reveals a city that’s a lot more interesting.

By William Swislow

Creative Chicago

Sometimes it’s not what you put on paper, but what you cut away

Polish-American artist Grace Bazylewski connects with her heritage and her inner child through folk art of paper-cutting.

By Joanna Marszałek

Creative Chicago

Art as the beginning of healing: A Q&A with Tanya Gill

“So many people have disabilities and trauma that aren’t visible. So if I make that visible, it gives us a starting place for that conversation.”

By Neesa Sweet

Creative Chicago

Students at Stateville prison find empowerment, hope in arts education

“We’ve been given a platform to have our hidden voices heard and our invisibility made visible to the outside,” said student Reginald BoClair.

By Kaitlin Washburn

Creative Chicago

Waste not — the miraculous 2nd (and 3rd) lives of unwanted objects

Rescuing materials from an ignominious end in a landfill is part of the transformative mission of Chicago’s reuse facilities and many of its artists.

By S. Nicole Lane

Creative Chicago

Yin He Dance breathes new life into Chinese tradition

Folkloric-based troupe in Bridgeport aims to unify local Chinese American artists, reflect the diversity of dance genres.

By D’onminique Boyd-Riley

Creative Chicago

Englewood open mic makes space for city’s best spoken word, hip-hop talent

“The best way to catch the youth are three things: fashion, music and artistry,” INTH3LAND partner Corie Luckett says.

By Mark Braboy | For the Sun-Times

Creative Chicago

A revitalized Mucca Pazza prepares to march into its 20th year

Passion, collaboration and finding your people are the secrets to the ensemble’s longevity, members say.

By Jessi Roti

Creative Chicago

Foot traffic

By Tim Seeley

By Jesse Howe

Creative Chicago

Afternoon

By Jim Terry

By Jesse Howe

Creative Chicago

Little Library

By Evan Robert Miller

By Jesse Howe

See the e-Paper

Flip through a virtual version of this special issue bursting with creativity.

Read now

Cherylle Booker (from left), executive director Nancy Gomez and Janno Juguilon inside the ceramic studio space at Project Onward, a nonprofit for artists with disabilities.

Creative Chicago

‘It never feels like you can’t do something’: How Project Onward’s artists with disabilities strengthen each other

Bridgeport gallery created a support system and lifeline for artists with disabilities to create together and give each other feedback.

By Christina Nafziger

Creative Chicago

The drag competition where everybody leaves with a new BFF

In an art medium where peers become rivals, the “Our New BFF” drag competition aims to build connections and provide mentors as part of its framework.

By Violet Miller

Creative Chicago

J Bambii is ready for the moment

From making music to planning community events, Jasmine Barber is staying true to her path.

By Jessi Roti