2021 Wrap Up! Dear Friends of AnySquared,
A very belated Happy New Year! February 2022 will be AnySquared’s 12th Anniversary, an excellent time to celebrate everything we have accomplished in the past year and get excited about everything coming up this year.
We won the Artist-Run Chicago Grant from Hyde Park Arts Center! We received an $8,000 grant in mid 2021. The grant sustained AnySquared, supported our events this year, and helped purchase items that we needed to replace or add to our arsenal of tools and materials to create events, murals, etc. For the first time, we were also able to give artists stipends.
In addition to using the money for supplies and support, we filed paperwork to become a 501c3 NonProfit organization! Now that we are a 501c3, we can create new sustainable platforms of support for Chicago artists and generate inspirational and fun programming that allows artists a chance to leverage their art to organize for the greater good.
Click here If you would like to support the work of AnySquared and want to make a tax-deductible donation.
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Highlights from the past year
- Since Dec 2020, we have hosted nearly 30 AnySquared Spotlight art talks online. Artists took center-stage with our talks that featured those of all experiences first weekly and then monthly after we went to in-person Studio Days in the spring. Thanks to Lily BE’s steadfast collaboration since December, we are grateful to have it streamed on Hairpin’s Facebook Live. See our fantastic lineup of videos on here >
- In February & March, we streamed our Life in Progress Video Series, wrapping up our LIP 2020 Arts Festival programming that was interrupted and canceled in March 2020. The series showcased work that expresses definitions and critiques of “progress.” See our three video programs here >
- Beginning in mid-April, after a winter and early spring hiatus, we resumed in person Weekly Studio Days at AnySquared with safety measures. Masks on! Make Art on Wednesdays!
- In June, AnySquared was invited by Renegades of Funk to paint on Project Congress mural walls. Check out all the murals organized by ROF wrapping around the exterior walls of the Congress Theater at 2135 N. Milwaukee, Chicago.
- In July, we collaborated on Art in the Park with Unity Park. The lead organizer of the event was AnySquared’s Helen Sanchez-Cortes. We helped organize the events of the day, provided volunteers, and created and completed the “Taking Care of Each Other” community banner mural (drawn by Helen) with the help of the broader community. It was a beautiful day of art plus community.
- In September & June, we hosted 2 Against Da Fence outdoor mini art festivals in collaboration with Renegades of Funk. These events were a celebration and cooperation of the communities around Project Logan. It included: art on the fence, sticker-making, painting on the wall, and art vending. We were also excited to open up the community mural wall for painting this time! June IG photos • September IG photos • September facebook album
- In mid-October, AnySquared hosted the ART-OFF! featuring 30+ artists curated by Tattianna Howard and produced by AnySquared volunteers! The event included live painting, slaps/sticker-making, an interactive art wall, and many many artists! The ART-OFF was an amazing artmaking extravaganza, and it was exciting to see an exhibition created before our eyes! facebook album • Instagram video
- In Late October, AnySquared was invited by Logan Square Neighborhood Association to be part of the Dia de Muertos / Day of the Dead installations at Comfort Station. The beautiful ofrenda was created by Cesar Luna, Helen Sanchez-Cortes, Alys Calvillo, and Josue Aldana with Bee Figueroa. See photo details of the alter.
- In early December, we capped off the year with Renegades of Funk: the Ornament Tournament was a fun holiday event with, decorating bulbs while showcasing over 60 artists from around the city, including artists from AnySquared! IG photos 1 • IG photos 2 • IG photos 3
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Upcoming Programming & Projects
We are excited about future AnySquared community arts events and collaborative projects that provide mentoring opportunities, including:
- Art. Swap.Meet! Feb 26, 2022
- AnySquared Spotlight Art Talks
- Exhibitions
- Summer Outdoor Community Arts Events
- Community Mural Projects
- AnySquared Online Store
2021 was another year that was not easy for any of us, but we are grateful that we could move forward despite COVID setbacks. We remained flexible and ready to pivot when needed. With your help, we can continue making good things happen that support our work and mission. Your donation will help fund our future work as well as supplies and artists’ stipends that make our events and projects happen. Please make your tax-deductible donations payable to AnySquared, PayPal: projects@anysquared.com, or donate on our website.
Wishing you a safe and art-filled year,
Tracy Kostenbader, AnySquared
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If you prefer to mail a check:
AnySquared, 2328 N. Milwaukee, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60647
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