The 2014 SOFA Expo

Here is a belated post of pictures I took while attending the 2014 SOFA Chicago Expo at Navy Pier. Enjoy.

Chicago's Harlem Renaissance

I've had the 1920's on my mind a lot recently. While preparing for a Halloween costume party at the Auditorium Theater, I spent a lot of time researching Jazz Age fashions so that I could come up with my ideal flapper outfit. The party was a sing-along screening of the movie musical Chicago.

While I was looking at beautiful beaded art deco dresses, I thought about one of my favorite things about the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance.  I always found it so inspiring to read about how creative Black artists, writers, and musicians flourished in Harlem during that time. And with the arrival of the Harlem Fine Arts Show at the Merchandise Mart, Chicago is experiencing its own Harlem Renaissance this weekend.

I have the privilege of knowing many of the artists who are participating in this show, including Minnie Watkins, Rhonda Gray, Dana Todd Pope, Raymond Thomas, Joyce Owens, Keith Conner, and Alpha Bruton.

Minnie Watkins, Rhonda Gray, and Dana Todd Pope

Kevin Williams

Andrew Nichols

My only regret is that I didn't take more pictures. If you're in Chicago, see the art in person if you can. Today is the last day of the show. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit www.hfas.org.