The Chicago Photography Collective (CPC) is hosting a new summer show entitled Go Do Good. The CPC is a group of over 30 established photographers whose methods and subject matter run the photographic gamut: digital and film, inkjet and silver prints, black & white and color, portraits, street photography, abstracts and documentary. This show will feature photographs from eleven of the group’s members following the Go Do Good theme adopted from the similarly named 2011 summer campaign presented by the Chicago Loop Alliance in conjunction with the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. The summer campaign and this photography exhibit both aim to use art to encourage good deeds and highlight those already making a difference.
Ken Ilio followed several volunteers of C.A.R.E. for the Evanston Animal Shelter and photographed the frenetic and chaotic, albeit organized, work that these selfless individuals are doing at the shelter.
Two non-profit organizations are highlighted in Evanston resident Alan Teller’s work as he explores issues of presentation, directness and protection through contrasting the work of both groups. Expanding Lives brings promising young women from Niger to the Chicago area to teach them skills that further empower them for their lives back in their own country. The Kovler Center for Victims of Torture helps political refugees in their quest for asylum as it attempts to nurture them back to a semblance of normalcy in this country. The Expanding Lives women are visible, able to address an audience and to be photographed. The Kovler clients, whose faces we don’t see in the photographs, represent the fact that there are disturbing human stories hidden in plain sight. Both groups nurture, empower, and answer needs in very different ways.
Every year, the non-profit group Preservation Chicago announces its “Chicago’s 7″ list of Most Endangered Buildings. Emily Long aims her pinhole camera on these Chicago 7 is to raise public awareness about the threats facing some of Chicago’s most at-risk architectural treasures.
Paul Natkin’s photographs address literacy issues in the Chicago area. Sit, Stay, Read teaches kids to read by having them read to dogs and Open Books operates a large book store that funds its literacy programs.
Either on assignment for not-for-profit organizations or for numerous media outlets, Marc PoKempner’s work has often focused on social problems and their solutions. Marc will show portraits of do-gooders he’s worked with including Jimmy Carter, Alan Ginsberg, lending activist Gail Cincotta, recycling entrepreneur Ken Dunn and others.
Sandra Steinbrecher’s project highlights 3 Chicago educators who have chosen to work in a school community with profound challenges of poverty and violence. Their jobs require constant involvement as leaders and role models and each has a deep personal commitment to changing the expectations and outcomes for the young people they teach and mentor. This is a chance to recognize the importance and value of their work and experience their successes.
To preview some of the images from the show, please go to: http://chicagophotographycollective.com/exhibits/godogood-exhibition
Opening reception:
Thursday, July 7, 2011
5-8pm
108 N. State Street (just inside the Block 37 building entrance, adjacent to the Disney Store)
Show runs Thursday, July 7 – Saturday, October 1 2011
Gallery Hours: 11:30am to 5:30pm, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
The Chicago Photography Collective gallery at 108 N. State Street is part of the Pop-Up Art Loop initiative of the Chicago Loop Alliance. Admission is always free.
www.chicagophotographycollective.com
www.popupartloop.com
www.chicagoloopalliance.com
