1 Year of Lot'sa

Today marks the official 1 year anniversary of Lot’sa, a community art space I opened with 2 friends in Chicago.

On Saturday, October 19 we celebrated and reflected with friends, artists, and community members. We invited artists who have played an important role in our journey to make a piece for our new show, Reflections. You can check it out now through January, and most of the pieces are for sale!

I’ve always been motivated by a desire to foster community, especially through art. In 2021 I started the Palmer Square Art Fair, with a goal to give artists an intimate neighborhood market to sell their wares, and get to know one another, make friends, provide mutual support. What happened at those markets was magic. Neighbors gathered in the park, supported local artists of all kinds, enjoyed the sunshine with friends and dogs, and artists connected with each other. I have witnessed and been a part of multiple friendships that started because of Palmer Square Art Fair.

I felt the impact of PSAF, and I wanted to provide this opportunity to connect all throughout the year– not just on one (hopefully) sunny summer day.

Lot’sa has given me a place to do that in new and lasting ways. If you have ever walked through our doors, taken a workshop, joined us for coworking, come to an art show, or bought something from our shop, you have directly contributed to a thriving artist community.

A couple weeks ago I taught my recurring Collage Riso workshop, and 4 people din’t show up¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (hope they’re ok!). The 3 students who did come all expressed a fear of leaving their houses that night to make art, and they connected over feeling isolated from working remotely. By the end of the workshop they were exchanging numbers and making plans to hang again.

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling the weight of untamed capitalism every day. I feel the pressure for infinite productivity and unhealthy individualism.

In this overwhelming and isolating world, Lot’sa is a hypothesis for a different way.

What if independent artists could thrive? What if meeting new people wasn’t wholly centered around alcohol? What if we could spark creativity in adults who have never felt the permission to practice art?

Running a business like Lot’sa isn’t easy. We might not survive the tests of capitalism; but even if we close our doors one day, no one can take away the impact we’ve already left and the memories people have already created.

Community is radical. Community is healing. Go find community!