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How hip-hop transformed an emcee’s life
Born in Nigeria, Amina Hawkins is an emcee, hip-hop instructor, poet and activist. After briefly living in Chicago during her childhood, her parents moved back to their native land when she was seven years old where she finished her education through high school. Hawkins said she didn’t exactly fit in...
PERSONAL STRUGGLES GET FULL EXPOSURE
ANAHÍ VELÁZQUEZ | THE PORTRAITIST. Mexican American photographer channels her creativity through constructed images. Honestly, I never really thought of myself becoming an artist. I think growing up I just saw my mom take photos of everything. At a certain age, she gave me a camera and that inspired me to take pictures of everything. From there I ended up taking a class in high school and I started doing more conceptual work taking it more seriously. From there on, I was like, ‘This is what I want to do.’ That’s kind of what led me to where I’m at now. I started doing it more artistically and pushing myself to be better.
RAWNESS, AUTHENTICITY AND ROCK’n’ROLL
ALBERTO ABREU | THE GUITARIST. From Santana to the Strokes, Alberto Abreu shares his chords. Born to a Dominican father and Ecuadorian mother, Alberto Abreu picked up the guitar and started writing songs in middle school. Abreu performed with many bands before he decided to pursue music and moved to Chicago. Now 21 and living in the South Loop, Abreu continues to grow his audience in music through his current band, Witch’s Rave. “The goal of the band is to make incredible music and create a community of authentic people,” explains Abreu.
REFLECTIONS OF IDENTITY AND PAIN
MARCOS RAYA | THE ARTIST. Multifaceted artist Marcos Raya, a living legend in the Chicago cultural scene. ARTIST, ACTIVIST, MURALIST and painter Marcos Raya was born in Guanajuato, Mexico in 1948. At age 15, in 1964, he moved to Chicago to be with his mother. Attempting to evade the Vietnam draft, Raya returned to Mexico in 1968 where he was involved in the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) student protests before relocating to the southwest community of Pilsen during the Civil Rights and Chicano movements of the late ’60s and ’70s.
Laugh Factory Chicago’s groundbreaking all-Asian comedy show
In the heart of Chicago, Laugh Factory has become a household name in the city’s vibrant entertainment scene. The comedy club chain has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional stand-up shows featuring some of the most famous comedians and has garnered a loyal fan base. Charlette San Juan, a...
THE GODLY ARTIST
NATHALIA ROCA | THE ILLUSTRATOR. Venezuelan creator finds her inspiration in God. NATHALIA ROCA WAS BORN in Venezuela from a Venezuelan mother and a Cuban father. Roca moved to the United States with her family when she was 8, but her father had moved here earlier to escape the communist government in Cuba and, later, communism in Venezuela. Now a sophomore at Columbia College Chicago, Roca is studying illustration and painting. She focuses on the human figure and incorporates biblical images in her work.
THE GODLY ARTIST
NATHALIA ROCA | THE ILLUSTRATOR. Venezuelan creator finds her inspiration in God. NATHALIA ROCA WAS BORN in Venezuela from a Venezuelan mother and a Cuban father. Roca moved to the United States with her family when she was 8, but her father had moved here earlier to escape the communist government in Cuba and, later, communism in Venezuela. Now a sophomore at Columbia College Chicago, Roca is studying illustration and painting. She focuses on the human figure and incorporates biblical images in her work.
THE GODLY ARTIST
NATHALIA ROCA | THE ILLUSTRATOR. Venezuelan creator finds her inspiration in God. NATHALIA ROCA WAS BORN in Venezuela from a Venezuelan mother and a Cuban father. Roca moved to the United States with her family when she was 8, but her father had moved here earlier to escape the communist government in Cuba and, later, communism in Venezuela. Now a sophomore at Columbia College Chicago, Roca is studying illustration and painting. She focuses on the human figure and incorporates biblical images in her work.
SPACE AND STAGE CROSSOVER
STEFANIE JARA | THE ACTRESS & DESIGNER. Ecuadorian actress transfers her performance skills and embarks on a long-desired goal. STEFANIE JARA ESCOBAR, 30, has always loved the arts. She studied acting at the Instituto Superior de Televisión in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she was born. After graduating at 21, she moved to Chicago. She is currently an ensemble member of Aguijón Theater Co. Her passion is theater, but she also teaches Spanish and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture.
CREATIVITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
ANISSA CAMPOS | THE NAIL ARTIST. Social media catapults Anissa Campos to the red carpet. VERY ACTIVE IN SOCIAL MEDIA, Anissa Campos, 22, is a nail artist working on the Southeast side of Chicago. While she was born in the United States and grew up in Chicago, both of her parents are from Mexico. Her mother is from Jalisco and her father is from Michoacán. Campos considers herself Chicana.
CREATIVITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
ANISSA CAMPOS | THE NAIL ARTIST. Social media catapults Anissa Campos to the red carpet. VERY ACTIVE IN SOCIAL MEDIA, Anissa Campos, 22, is a nail artist working on the Southeast side of Chicago. While she was born in the United States and grew up in Chicago, both of her parents are from Mexico. Her mother is from Jalisco and her father is from Michoacán. Campos considers herself Chicana.
CREATIVITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
ANISSA CAMPOS | THE NAIL ARTIST. Social media catapults Anissa Campos to the red carpet. VERY ACTIVE IN SOCIAL MEDIA, Anissa Campos, 22, is a nail artist working on the Southeast side of Chicago. While she was born in the United States and grew up in Chicago, both of her parents are from Mexico. Her mother is from Jalisco and her father is from Michoacán. Campos considers herself Chicana.
Andersonville decks the halls with illuminating holiday displays
In Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, the light poles are wrapped in twinkle lights and storefronts are adorned with red and green wreaths and tinsel. As passersby pause in front of the seasonal displays, pointing out details of snowy blankets and bright colors, this is the temporary new normal for employees of local businesses in the area.
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