The Wabash Arts Corridor (WAC)

Nestled between Michigan Avenue, “The Chicago Cultural Mile” and State Street “that great street”, Wabash Avenue was overlooked as an important destination for far too long. In 2013 the Wabash Arts Corridor (WAC) was created to change that.
 
The WAC brings together 8 educational institutions, 14 performing arts venues, 19 galleries and art installations, 5 hotels, more than 40 restaurants and dozens of businesses. Their goal is to connect “local businesses and commerce with education, cultural programming and the visual, performing and media arts”. Described as a “living urban canvas” the WAC uses public spaces to showcase the work of established, emerging and student artists.
 
The WAC includes more than a mile-long stretch of Wabash Avenue between Van Buren Street on the north and Roosevelt Road on the south. But the district also includes parts of South Michigan Avenue and South State Street.
 
The WAC members offer more than 1,000 cultural events each year and many of them are free for all. Some of the current exhibits include:
 
Twelve 15 X 25” fashion photographs mounted on the exterior of the Hilton Chicago Hotel at 8th Street and Wabash Avenue. Known as the Hilton WAC Project, the installation showcases the work of Columbia College fashion photography students.

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The Harrison Gateway, a project in collaboration with the Chicago Transit Authority is a series of images and haiku poems displayed under the elevated train tracks at Harrison Street.  Being an urban setting this work has been "enhanced" by flyers.
 

​At 8th Street and Wabash you will find the Papermaker’s Garden. This space is planted with materials used in paper making at the Center for Book and Paper Arts of Columbia College. 

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Since 2012 large-scale murals have graced some of the building exteriors along Wabash Avenue. Working with building owners, student and established artists are invited to create art on these unique canvases. A list of the more than 2 dozen murals currently on view with locations and artist information can be found on the WAC website; click on “Projects”.
 
 Annual free events along the WAC include:

Manifest Urban Arts Festival is an annual event celebrating the years’ graduating seniors and graduate students of Columbia College. This year it will be held on May 15th. The event includes art exhibitions, live performances, fashion shows, literary readings, movie screenings and more. Everything is open to the public and free of charge. It is a unique opportunity to meet and see the work of future leaders in these fields.
 
Running up to Manifest Urban Arts Festival the WAC will again present BIG WALLS. Between May 1–13, the public will have the unique opportunity to watch 10 internationally recognized artists transform public spaces along Wabash Avenue. Media used will include “image projections on walls; an exhibition of cellophane street art and chalk art on sidewalks and new ideas for using fabric in public art". In addition storefront windows will feature The Portrait Project and one of the Flying Creatures sculptures will be unveiled. The sculptures will eventually be installed in sidewalk planters along Wabash Avenue.
 
Every October WAC sponsors the Wabash Arts Corridor Crawl . "The WAC Crawl" is an opportunity to explore public art, enjoy dance and music performances and take guided tours of new and historic buildings for free. In addition, culinary specials can be had at local restaurants and bars. The date in October for 2016 has yet to be announced. Check the website for more information about The WAC Crawl and other WAC events.

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Also along Wabash Avenue, just north of the WAC district you will see a new light installation being mounted under the elevated train tracks called the Wabash Lights.   Envisioned by Jack Newell and Seth Unger, self-described ”…normal guys with one big idea”. the project was launched through a Kickstarter campaign in 2015. To date they have 918 backers, but they are looking for more.
 
The plan is to install more than 5,000 programmable LED lights on a 2 block stretch of Wabash Avenue between Madison and Adams Streets. The lights will eventually be connected to the web and a free App allowing you to control the light display making you an instant artist. Four 12' lights are currently on and running a preprogrammed light display. This section of lights will stay on for the next 6 to 12 months  while they are tested.
 
To monitor the progress and to contribute to the project, visit the Wabash Lights website. You can also sign up for their enewsletter and follow them on Facebook.
 
I hope you see Wabash Avenue is worth visiting any time of the year because there is always something to do or see that is free for all.

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​All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the websites to get the most up-to-date information.
  
If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com
 
Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com
 
Please follow me on Facebook at ChicagoFreeForAll.  Be sure to friend me to get notices of updates to my blog.
 
Next week we will explore "The Loop". Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!

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