Exhibition Opening
Join Spertus Museum and Lawndale Community Academy (LCA) to celebrate the history, longevity, and vibrant community of North Lawndale. Reconnect with alumni of the Jewish People's Institute (JPI), and support the students who co-curated this small but powerful exhibition.
Wednesday, May 31
at Lawndale Community Academy
(formerly the Jewish People’s Institute)
3500 W. Douglas Blvd. at St. Louis Ave., Chicago
5:30 pm Reception and Exhibition Viewing
6:15 pm Program
Stewart Figa performs a selection of Yiddish songs, followed by Sankofa: The Best of Both Worlds, a collaborative dance performance between LCA students and Muntu Dance Theater.
Free.
Call 312.322.1793 or email
museum@spertus.edu for reservations
Young people at the Jewish People’s Institute complete a map of North Lawndale, circa 1950
Courtesy of Chicago History Museum
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 has partnered with students at Lawndale Community Academy to create an on-site exhibition that traces the history of their neighborhood and their school, which for decades housed the Jewish People’s Institute, a major community center for Chicago Jewry recognized nationally for its successful educational, religious, vocational and recreational activities.
Relive your student years at JPI, while celebrating the opening of this exhibition with LCA current students.
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.