- Credibility:
LAKEVIEW — Businesses in West Lakeview are decorating their stores in honor of the official presidential portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama, which are on display at the Art Institute of Chicago in the first stop of a nationwide tour.
Project Windows is the Art Institute’s collaborative initiative with the Lakeview Public Art Committee, Oak Street Design and Special Services Area 27. It has businesses decorating their storefronts with mini art exhibits inspired by the two paintings. Onlookers can view the storefronts through Aug. 15 and vote on their favorite.
“The Lakeview Public Art Committee and SSA 27 are proud of our efforts to expand the storefront art exhibit in 2021,” said Nicole McLellan, community development manager for the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce. “The museum’s exhibition of these phenomenal pieces [the Obama portraits] served as major inspiration for our storefront art displays.”
The initiative is fully funded by Special Service Area 27 and includes 14 participating businesses along Southport and Lincoln avenues:
- Baby Dolls Boutique, 3727 N. Southport Ave.
- Barks n Rec, 3030 N. Lincoln Ave.
- Click Shoes, 3729 N. Southport Ave.
- Discover CBD, 3527 N. Southport Ave.
- Kids Create Studio, 3709 N. Southport Ave.
- Krista K Boutique, 3458 N. Southport Ave.
- Suvarna Chiropractic, 3651 N. Southport Ave.
- Waxman Candles, 3044 N. Lincoln Ave.
- Aura Candle Bar, 3338 N. Southport Ave.
- HuxHemp CPD Apothecary, 3101 N. Lincoln Ave.
- On the Route Bicycles, 3144 N. Lincoln Ave.
- Siren Salon, 3143 N. Lincoln Ave.
- The Brown Elephant, 3020 N. Lincoln Ave.
- Tuco and Blondie, 3358 N. Southport Ave.
Viewers are encouraged to stop into the stores and shop to support local businesses while out viewing the art displays, according to the chamber.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Lincoln Park and LGBTQ communities across the city for Block Club Chicago.
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