Today we’d like to introduce you to Corry Williams.
Corry, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Art was an interest of mine as a child along with sports, hands down. I constantly found myself observing artwork in school, in public, drawing and admiring the artwork of others. However, becoming an Artist is not what I envisioned for myself as time went on. I guess at that time, I didn’t realize that I would end up being a collector and exposing others to the world of Art.
Specifically, those individuals both youth and adults, in urban areas whereas art education has been eliminated from the majority of our public schools due to financial distress as well as neighborhoods. Therefore, I found myself wanting to fulfill my desire to bring Art Programs and Artists to the neighborhood where I have roots. This allowed me to provide opportunities for individuals in which I longed for as an adolescent.
As a child, I was active in sports. I enjoyed traveling throughout the city to escape the neighborhood realities. I remember traveling by public transportation to the down area of Chicago. At age 13, I began working at a neighborhood hand car wash to assist with our family obligations in our home.
Amongst family and friends, I’ve always had an outgoing personality. I worked well with others in school and in my neighborhood. Seeing that I attended a culturally diverse elementary school in the City of Chicago, it allowed me to be able to adjust my personality to various groups of people, cultures, and experiences that prepared me for the future.
When traveling out of town, I made time to visit Art Galleries, speak with local Artists and gain insight about their journey as an Artist. Those experiences and stories resonated with me as I was stepped into my own journey to bring creative and engaging art programming to the people in my community and beyond.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I began this journey to open 345 Art Gallery, I was faced with a number of adversities. One being several private groups within the neighborhood that did not welcome the change, nor an organization to open an Art Gallery in the community. As I shared the plans with the community and Alderman, it was important for them to recognize how 345 Art Gallery would be the first Art Gallery within the community.
Also, the Gallery would create a safe place for the youth and artist by restoring an abandoned church in the community. Additionally, the Gallery would provide a green space for the Artist and their work to be displayed for the public. Although this was the vision, our plan did not unfold in a manner, which we anticipated it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 345 Art Gallery – what should we know?
345 Art Gallery is community partner within the City of Chicago. At 345 Art Gallery, we aspire to serve the Garfield Park Community and the City of Chicago with the opportunity to encourage appreciation and the role of art, its history and origin in our society with an in-depth understanding.
The Gallery promotes active learning about art and the creative process through teaching and dialogue with the community, schools, organizations, families, and partnerships with Artist. The Gallery organizes educational programs and exhibitions to expose Artist while inspiring young artists to pursue their dream in the area of the arts.
We are known for our ongoing commitment with our neighborhood schools both elementary and high schools. We provide ongoing Artist contest with students to build their confidence as Artist and to encourage them to follow their passion for the arts. During the events, we invite all stakeholders from the schools as well as the Artist’s family to engage in exhibitions. We encourage the Artist to tell their story behind their artwork and and share their creative journey.
The work and partnerships that we create with students (young artist) are what we are most proud of. To see the passion and twinkle in young artist eyes, to hear the excitement and confidence from the artist during the speaking portion of their exhibits provides a feeling that is indescribable. Just knowing that we have somehow changed the life of a student in such a small gesture of an artist contest really goes a long way for us. This is what motives us to continue the work despite the adversities we face.
What sets us apart from others is the fact that we invest, physically and financially without the assistance of government funding in our programming. Our doors are open to schools, students, and artists that would like to utilize our space to encourage and promote the arts.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Passion, Humility, and Vision.
Pricing:
- • Free of charge monthly art events for students, free workshops for adults and youth
- • Private celebrations such as weddings, bridal showers, birthday parities and retirement parties at $175 – $225 per hour
- • Corporate workshops and Board Meetings at $175 – $225 per hour
- • Adult paint classes are amongst our most popular event at $35 per person
Contact Info:
- Address: 345 N. Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL 60612
- Website: www.345artgallery.com
- Phone: 872-444-5544 or
- Email: 345artgallery@gmail.com
- Instagram: 345artgallery
- Facebook: 345artgallerychicago
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
