The North Lawndale project is made possible by the generous support of the Chicago Tribune Foundation, Benjamin J. Rosenthal Foundation, Steans Family Foundation, and Walter and Caroline Sueske Charitable Trust.
Spertus Museum programming is partially supported by a CityArts Program 4 Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, Harry and Sadie Lasky Foundation, The Francis L. Lederer Foundation, Leo S. Guthman Fund, The Northern Trust Company, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Images
Choir: Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA/OWI Collection, LC-USF34-038782-D | Cantor: Courtesy of Rozanna Records Inc.
Off-site Exhibition
at Lawndale Community Academy
(formerly the Jewish People's Institute)
3500 W. Douglas Blvd. at St. Louis Ave., Chicago
Lawndale was once home to roughly 40% of Chicago's Jewish population. Today it has evolved into a vibrant African-American community. The staff of Spertus Museum, in partnership with Lawndale Community Academy (the former home of the Jewish People's Institute), continues the exploration of neighborhood history that led to Common Ground: Lawndale's Shared History.
Looking beyond the school building and into the wider community, Sing Forth! Lawndale's Sacred Music explores the neighborhood's former synagogue buildings, many of which are now home to Baptist churches, and the powerful liturgical music expressed by Jewish and African American congregations. This multimedia exhibition examines music in the Jewish cantorial and gospel traditions and the architectural spaces that have been home to them both.
Directions
Lawndale Community Academy is located at 3500 W. Douglas Blvd., on the northwest corner of Douglas Blvd. and St. Louis Ave.
From downtown, take Roosevelt Rd. west to St. Louis Ave. Turn left on St. Louis and go two blocks south to Douglas.
From the Kennedy & Edens Expressways, connect to the Eisenhower (I-290) to Independence Blvd. Go south on Independence to Douglas. Turn left and go east on Douglas to 3500 West.
Street parking is available on Douglas Blvd., St. Louis Ave., and Central Park Ave.
Hours
This exhibition will be open from 9-3 during regular school session. Please check the CPS calendar to ensure that school is in session before visiting the exhibition.
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