We hear so many great stories.
When I started painting Chicago by night, I was really just satisfying my own aesthetic. I have always loved the way the night treats all the nooks and crannies of the city, the diners, the bars, the theaters, the joints, etc. When I started making prints of my paintings available to the public, I soon realize that all the places I was painting not only had their own histories but also the personal histories of the people who have inhabited them over the years. I have decided to start relating some of those personal stories from the people I meet at the many art shows I attend:
Here are a few personal stories from the 2017 Hyde Park Community Art Fair:
Standee’s – Fred Kniss
I was a sociology professor at Loyola. On Fridays - in good weather - three professor buddies and I would meet early for nine holes at Robert Black, a park district golf course near Western Ave. After, it was always breakfast at Standee’s. We were regulars. Got the same table every time. Knew the waitresses and they knew us. For me, it was two eggs over medium with bacon. That was a special place. My wife and I moved to Virginia from Hyde Park in 2009, but our group was able to meet for one last reunion before the place closed.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-01-05/news/1001040366_1_shop-closes-diner
Wrigley Field - Tony
I grew up in the shadow of the sign in this picture. I went to Lemoyne Elementary School (now closed) right there on Waveland in the 70’s. We could hear the Cubs fans at afternoon games. The firehouse guys hooked us up with some people at Wrigley. They had us flip up the old wooden seats after games and gave us each two free tickets to do it. What a great deal! For me, Wrigley was better before lights and night games. I like day games. Dave Kingman, first base, is still my favorite player. Watched him from the best seats in the house - first base, upper deck. I was lucky enough to be there last fall for the championship. What a ride.
Chicago Theatre - Isaac
This is a thank you gift for my friend. She helped me move today and the move was a little contentious. There were many troubles. The whole thing was dramatic, exhausting and took longer than planned - and she was late for an event because of it. I just really appreciate her help and wanted to let her know.
Both of us are from New York originally – I’m a freshman sociology major at University of Chicago – and we have an ongoing disagreement. She says New York is where she’s from, but Chicago is her home. I say, New York is where I’m from and New York is my home. Everyone’s just so nice here. You kind of stick out when you’re having a bad day, unlike New York where people could care less. My friend loves the Chicago Theater. I think she’ll really like this one.
Ribs N Bibs - Judith Heineman, storyteller
My husband loved Ribs ‘N’ Bibs in Hyde Park. We moved here in 1995 when Joe was hired to run the CHA. He would always take his boss, HUD Secretary, Henry Cisneros, when Henry came into town from DC. They loved the chicken and ribs. He’ll love this memory of those great times.
Judith (Heineman) is an accomplished professional storyteller who has performed at The Moth and in many other venues in Chicago and across the country. Ribs ‘N’ Bibs, was a neighborhood favorite for smoked ribs and barbecue chicken, closed in May 2014.
http://www.storytelling.org/heineman/