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In an alley off Grove Street, between Sherman and Chicago Avenue, you’ll find an offbeat artists’ space called Studio 3. Why “Studio 3?” Because the two
Evanston social worker Janice Fleckman knows the pain of losing a loved one. When Fleckman was overwhelmed with grief over her mother’s death, she said she turned to painting to cope. “It was my way of expressing the loss,” Fleckman said. “Art is so good for expressing loss. I realized that it could be healing.
Through the Thousand Butterflies Project, Evanston students are using butterflies a symbol of rejuvenation in many cultures to foster connection and community care. Since last summer, Evanston-based nonprofit Kids Create Change has hosted butterfly-making tables at community events, art festivals and block parties around the city. There, students can drop by to decorate.
Local artist, educator, community activist and art therapist Melissa Raman Molitor recognized there was no collective artistic space for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community in Evanston so she decided to create one.
“The ultimate goal is to create collective power through art and to claim space in the community using stories and cultural wisdom,” Molitor said. “The purpose of the project is to center voices and stories of the local Asian and Pacific Islander diasporas.”
Her Kitchen Table Stories project showcases work by the APIDA community in Evanston and surrounding areas, giving them a sense of space and belonging. The project will launch on a virtual platform, but Molitor said there will be an exhibition next summer featuring artwork of all mediums by APIDA artists.