University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Public Affairs (MC 288)
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607-7113, (312) 996-3456, www.uic.edu/depts/paff

September 14, 2000

Contact: Bryant Payne (312) 355-2523; bpayne2@uic

HULL-HOUSE CELEBRATES 111-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH ART EXHIBIT

To celebrate 111 years of community service, the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum and Hull-House Initiative will unveil an exhibit of pottery and artwork by Mexican immigrants created during the era of the Hull-House Kilns commercial operation, entitled "Pots of Promise: Mexicans, Reformers and the Hull-House Kilns, 1920-1940."

"Through photographs and artifacts, this exhibit documents one aspect of the relationship of Hull-House to the Mexican population that began moving into the Hull-House neighborhood in the 1920s," said Margaret "Peg" Strobel, interim director of Hull-House Initiative.

Opening reception
Thursday, Sept. 28
3 - 7 p.m.

A. Montgomery Ward Gallery
2nd Floor, Chicago Circle Center
750 S. Halsted

The Hull-House Kilns began holding ceramics classes for Mexican potters in the 1890s as a platform to reduce their isolation, create functional pottery pieces and earn money from the sale of their works. Ceramic classes provided the immigrants with an opportunity to connect the traditions of Mexico with their new experiences in Chicago.

Mexican potters whose works will be featured in this exhibit will include Miguel Juarez, Jesus Torres and Jose Ruiz. Hull-House artist Morris Topchevsky, who studied art in Mexico, will display his artwork. Additionally, photographs of Mexicans on the Near West Side and in the pottery studio will be available for viewing.

Free and open to the public, the exhibit runs from Sept. 22 - Oct. 27. The gallery hours are Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Direct exhibit questions to Margaret Strobel, (312) 413-7629 or visit the Web site www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/exhibit.html

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