The Hyde Park Art Center Is Unveiling A New Wing With Artist Studios

By Kate Shepherd in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 10, 2015 8:16PM

Credit: Rendering of the Guida Family Creative Wing by CAMESgibson, Inc.

The Hyde Park Art Center will unveil its new wing to the public during its annual gala on Oct. 17.

The Guida Family Creative Wing, which was designed by CAMESgibson Inc., will feature artist studios, a teen learning center, a digital lab, an artists lounge and more space for artist residencies, according to reps for the South Side art center. The new wing will help the art center to build community ties, de-mystify the art making process and foster collaboration between artists.

"We're really excited about it," executive director Kate Lorenz said in an interview. "It's transformative, not just for the art center but for everyone who uses it and artists in general."

There's a scarcity of studio space on the South Side, so the center is thrilled to add to more studios, Lorenz said. The setup is meant to break down some of the physical barriers between the artistic process and the public by allowing visitors to walk through the studio space and see artists working. Artists will be able to close the studio doors if they need private time.

The new space will also allow the center to expand its teen programming and give the teens a home base in the building.

Credit: Rendering of the Guida Family Creative Wing by CAMESgibson, Inc.

The project was announced in April 2014 after the success of the art center's 75th anniversary fundraising campaign and a $750,000 donation from Julie, John and Angelina Guida to build the wing, according to the art center's website.

The gala will honor artists Judy Ledgerwood and Tony Tasset and patrons Janis Kanter and Tom McCormick of the Kanter Family Foundation.