ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Art Competition!

Student Juried Exhibition Virtual Reception and Awards

Loyola University’s Student Art Competition runs through March 5 at the Ralph Arnold Gallery,

1131 W. Sheridan Road, and online. For over 20 years, the annual competition has showcased the best student work – painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, graphic design and interesting combinations of media – being created at Loyola. This year, students from all majors submitted over 100 works to juror Ruby T, a Chicago artist who holds a Master in Fine Arts in fiber and material studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She selected the most outstanding for the exhibition, based on originality, thoughtfulness and skill.

The Student Art Competition gives Loyolans the opportunity to be showcased in a professional gallery as part of an exhibition that celebrates creativity on campus. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be honored at an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, during FNARFEST21. The event is free, but reservations should be made at luc.edu/ralpharnoldgallery/

Pandemic in Comics!

'The Covid Chronicles: A Comics Anthology'

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees. Amid all the uncertainty, writers and artists from around the world continued to create comics, commenting on the chaos. "COVID Chronicles: A Comics Anthology" collects more than 60 such short comics from a diverse set of creators. In narrative styles ranging from realistic to fantastic, they tell stories about adjusting to working from home, homeschooling their kids, missing birthdays and weddings, and being afraid just to leave the house. On February 19 at 6 p.m., Jason Chatfield, Sarah Firth, John Jennings, Stephanie Nina Pitisirilios, and Kendra Boileau will discuss their book, "Covid Chronicles: A Comics Anthology." They will be joined in conversation by Matthew Noe. Register for this free webinar at www.semcoop.com/event.

World Music!

Vistar: Musical Cosmopolitanism

Born from the fusion of Persian and Indian cultures, Hindustani musical cosmopolitanism runs deep. This episode addresses cosmopolitanism in the life and work of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, India’s preeminent sarod artist and a lifelong traveler across artistic, religious, and geographic boundaries. Join in conversation with Anna Schultz, associate professor of music and humanities at the University of Chicago and Avik Chanda, a bestselling author, columnist and entrepreneur, as they explore the ins and outs of this cultural fusion. The event is free and open to the public, streaming live on February 20 from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. on www.facebook.com/Uchicagodelhi and www.youtube.com/c/ProhorYoutube. No registration required.

Iconic Characters!

'Nom Nom: 40 Years of Pac Man Design and History'

Following “Pac-Man’s” 40th anniversary, Chicago Gamespace assesses the history, design and legacy of this enduring and resonant title. “Nom Nom: 40 Years of Pac- Man Design and History” explores the game’s development and evolution from its beginnings at Namco in Tokyo in the late 1970s to its introduction in the U.S. market where its expansive design and global marketing and licensing made “Pac-Man” a household name. Comprised of playable arcade cabinets and console titles, art and artifacts from its development and advertising, this exhibit will outline how the game “Pac-Man” transcended media, broke with extant arcade genres and evolved game technologies. This exhibit is open to the public on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. and by appointment through the end of May at Chicago Gamespace, 2418 W. Bloomingdale Ave. Capacity is limited and masks are required. Cost is $5 per person, but children 12 and under are free. Book visits at www.chicagogamespace.com/.

Young Archeologists!

All Bones About It

Think skeletons are just for Halloween? Think again. The Oriental Institute presents this kid-friendly crash course on the importance of bones and the story they tell. On February 17 from 4 - 5 p.m., a bioarcheologist will talk about how this knowledge helps archaeologists learn about the lives of ancient people. This event is for kids, ages 8-12 and is free, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Register at oi.uchicago.edu/programs-events/events.

Chicago History!

Virtual Urban History Seminar

Presented by the Chicago History Museum, the Urban History Seminar series feature a scholarly presentation followed by lively discussion. Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, presents “Revisioning Historic Preservation: Chicago in the Twenty-First Century.” The February 18 Zoom session will open at 6:45 p.m. with the program starting at 7 p.m. RSVP is required. This session is free of charge, but the Chicago History Museum would greatly appreciate a donation of any amount. A Zoom link will be provided after registration. Register at www.chicagohistory.org/event/urban-history-seminar-11/.

Local Plays!

Lesbian Shorts

A reading of five short plays will be performed live online on February 16 at 7 pm. Amber Mandley will direct these readings of the five two-handers, which follow lovers, besties and exes as they examine friendship, relationships, love, homophobia, systemic racism, and intimacy in settings that range from a doctor’s office to a church, two living rooms, and a pizza parlor. Register at pridearts.org/lesbian-shorts/. $10.

Virtual Art Exhibit!

Return: A New Virtual Art Exhibit

“Return” is a new virtual art exhibit open every evening at 6 p.m. until June 4. Four beloved Awakenings artists back in the gallery for a group installation. Anneasha Hogan, Veronica Ravichandran, Isabella Scott, & Alex Brightbill will return to build upon their past work and weave a new story. Together these artists show us that just as there is no single story that depicts the experience of all sexual assault survivors, all survivors contain multitudes of stories. A discussion with the artists will be at 6:30 p.m. February 17, free to the public, but registration required at awakeningsart.org.