Fran Joy News Today

SKOKIE, Ill. — It was three years ago during the heart of the pandemic that a Skokie man uncovered a hidden gift. With a charcoal pencil in hand, surrounded by a gallery of his own work, John Wangendo is still getting used to his new title. “I never thought in a million years that I’d […]

Skokie-based artist John Wangendo grew up drawing in Kenya. After studying finance at a London college, Wangendo worked as a banker before becoming an independent contractor in Skokie. But when the coronavirus pandemic hit, Wangendo’s newfound free time inspired him to pick up art again. “I remember since I was a kid — since I...

Evanston Art Center’s “Découverte: Her Diasporan Chronicles of Self Discovery” exhibit explores the identity of Black women from the context of the greater Black diaspora. The most recent lobby gallery exhibit, which opened May 6 and runs through May 21, features Nigerian artist Laju Sholola and Nigerian Canadian artist Ojo Agi.  Show curator and Evanston-based...

From left, Cheryl Judice, Lisa Degliantoni, Denise Berrato, Rebeca Mendoza and Claire McFarland converse in front of a mural created by local artist Sholo

Featuring more than 25 Black artists, “Black History/My History,” an exhibit at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, displays personal and collective interpretations of Black experience and history.  Several artists described their unique visions of Blackness at the exhibit’s opening ceremony Feb. 17. The exhibit runs through April 10 and commemorates Black History Month.  Thomas Mosley...

Southside photographer Eli Williamson documents loving fathers with their children in everyday settings. William said the mission of his exhibit is to highlight and change the “negative stereotypical perception of Black fathers.”  “As a Black father myself, we’re not seen as virtuous,” Williamson said. “There’s no conversation about the virtuous Black man as a father...

Chicago artist David Anthony Geary said he almost missed his life calling. While studying biology as a pre-med student at Xavier University of Louisiana, Geary was preparing to become a psychiatrist before his mentor John T. Scott convinced Geary he could make a living as an artist. “Experimental,” Geary’s exhibit at Evanston Art Center, will...

Chicago Southside artist Malika Jackson’s artwork exploring serenity, faith and hope is on display at the Evanston Arts Center this fall. “Whisper of a World Without Words,” curated by Evanston artist Fran Joy, is open at the center from Sept. 10 to Oct. 9. The exhibit uses stylized realism to portray the quiet strength of...

Events from around the North Shore for July 7-13

As a young child going to church in Western Chicago, Makeba Kedem-Dubose said she looked up at the stained glass windows and asked herself, “Where are all the Black people?” Motivated by her childhood feelings of alienation, Kedem-Dubose said she aims to create colorful art depicting people of all races. Kedem-Dubose’s latest exhibition, “Monochrome Tone,”...