Ayrika Hall Creates Pop-Up Gallery Space in West Town
![Jeff Rivers](https://arthistory.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/422/2024/05/3ee96a_4162e2142e95456d8806af3e759e6201mv2-1090x595.jpg)
UIC PhD Student Ayrika Hall has recently been awarded a pop-up gallery space for the black arts collective she formed, Black Artists Network, located in West Town as part of the West Town Pop-up Project. BAN is a collective that works with creatives, art enthusiasts, writers, art collectors, community builders, and all who are interested in engaging and strengthening networks within Chicago’s contemporary black art sphere. The space hosts a myriad of events that foreground arts, culture, and community, including but not limited to: exhibitions, workshops, receptions, book clubs, and social hours. The length of the pop-up projects spans from now until the end of July.
BAN is part of the city of Chicago's Small Business Storefront Activations project:
"The COVID-19 pandemic has left significant increases in commercial corridor vacancy rates across the City. Brick and mortar businesses that rely on foot traffic to drive sales were particularly harmed as commercial corridors across the city saw major reductions in economic activity. Fourteen (14) community and economic development organizations have been awarded grants as part of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program. These selected organizations will work with small business owners and landlords to provide rapid relief to small businesses by activating vacant storefronts into burgeoning business spaces. The goal of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program is to boost local spending and draw additional foot traffic to commercial corridors across the City." --City of Chicago
Originally started at DePaul University, Black Artists Network is a collective of students across universities, disciplines, ages, and educational levels. Our current show on view, The Jeff Show, features work by UIC MFA candidate Jeff Rivers, and is on view now.
More about the Black Artists Network can be found here:
https://www.blackartistnetwork.com/