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The history of the Chicago Arts District reaches back to the early 1960s when John and Annelies Podmajersky started to revitalize the Pilsen East neighborhood with innovative urban planning. They converted dilapidated residential and commercial buildings into artists' lofts and studios and transformed disused alleyways into lush gardens. These distinctive spaces and exceptional environments have provided inspiration to the thousands of artists who have lived and worked here over the past four decades.
The Chicago Arts District now encompasses several contiguous blocks of live and work space for artists, galleries and other creative retailers, and exhibition space for special events and performances.
As the area's events and activities continued to grow, the Podmajersky family established the Chicago Arts District organization to assist with strategic development and provide overall support to the numerous creative individuals and businesses in the neighborhood. The small staff, under the direction of Cynthia West, provides administrative support in the form of the Chicago Arts District web site, hosting the monthly 2nd Fridays gallery openings, assisting in press relations and marketing for the neighborhood, and organizing the Annual PilsenEast Artists' Open House.
The Annual PilsenEast Artists' Open House is the neighborhood's most recognizable and anticipated event. It began in 1970 when a small group of neighborhood artists opened their studio doors and invited friends and family to view art in a intimate atmosphere. The event proved to be a great success and has attracted visitors year after year to explore the studios and gardens and to experience art at its source.
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