The Pilsen Arts and Community House is a non-profit organization that “offers space, resources and creative community engagement through exhibitions, art instruction and mentorships, we aim at fostering positive relationships with artists and community members.”

Pilsen Arts and Community House, located at 637 W. 18th St., offers services, programs, opportunities and classes to help aid emerging artists. Additionally, the organization has started developing affordable housing for artists in need. I spoke with the owners, Teresa Magaña and Pablo Ramirez, where we spoke more about their organization.

What positive impact the art gallery has had on Pilsen?

Pablo Ramirez: The impact has been being able to maintain our doors open, and staying accessible to the community.

Teresa Magaña: The community has been changing so much, so we’ve seen a huge turnover of people trying to make passion projects that are hard to maintain because we all have lives!

Pablo Ramirez: We see a lot of faces come and go that mean well, and we love being able to be there for those artists who are lacking funding.

Teresa Magaña: So yeah being constant in a community that is ever changing is a very good impact that we have on the community.

Why do you think places like this are so important for the community?

Teresa Magaña: The Diverse Arts space, that provides an experience for a very wide audience! Like we have people who are new to the community, used to the community, and tourists. Our space has been able to create a way to engage and communicate with all those different audiences, because we make an effort to educate them on where they are at and why art is so important.

What do you predict the long term impact of this art & community house will be?

Teresa Magaña: We are working on an affordable housing development. We’ll know by the end of September if our proposal is accepted, and I’m really excited about the example it will set for other southside organizations that this might start happening to, that there is a way to help the community in more ways than one. Our communities are tended differently than the ones on the northside so preserving our communities is very important to us. We definitely want the opportunity to expand our space so we can expand the programs and services we have to offer to the creative community.

How can someone become involved with the Art & Community House?

Teresa Magaña: We do a lot of personal programming, but we love when people come to us and say, “hey, I wanna teach this workshop” so we really have an open door policy, if you are offering a community, and culturally engaging event or project we want to be that platform to help facilitate that. That’s how we’ve been functioning all these years. We only Charge people if they Charge people, If you offer a free class or service then so will we. This way a lot of our programming stays organic.

Some of the programs offered by Pilsen Arts and Community House are poetry open mic

book club, film screenings, musical performances, music and book releases, artists-led pop-ups, panel discussions, community dialogues, and more. An individual can purchase affordable art, and childrens books from the gallery. A Program they have coming up is the “Hecho En” Arts and Crafts Fair, which is an annual event focused on the artists, artisans and makers of Chicago diverse communities from all over. Makers will be lined on 18th street between Ashland and Paulina Avenues exhibiting many styles, cultures, and colorful unique artwork and original designed products.” The fair was held on August 14.

Merchandise and Childrens Books Available for Purchase. (Photo by Maxine Brown)

In addition to the programs the Arts and Community House also offer different paid opportunities for artists to make money and improve the community, like commissions, murals, and collaborations. The Pilsen Art and Community House, in fact, are currently looking for Vendors for the “Hecho En” arts and crafts fair if you would like to become a vendor apply here.

Not only are their programs and opportunities offered at the Pilsen Art and Community House, they also host a series of classes for youth and adults! Some classes are completely free! Pilsen Art and Community House offered a three week free adult pottery class. Some of the other classes they offer at affordable prices are printmaking, drawing, painting, embroidery, and mixed media. Pilsen Art and Community House offers free workshops that aid in professional development like business & entrepreneurial, social media / marketing, gallery representation, art fairs / vending, contracts, and taxes.

Art on Exhibit. (Photos taken by Maxine Brown)

Overall, the Pilsen Art and Community house is a wonderful non-profit organization, and an addition to the west side community.

Attention Emerging Artists