Friday 9
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Clarke House, the Greek Revival home built in 1836 by hardware merchant Henry Clarke, escaped the fire of 1871, but Clarke had the house moved 28 blocks south anyway. In 1977, when the city took it over, the house was moved back to near its original site on Prairie Avenue and now sits among other houses designed by some of the great architects of the Chicago School, including H.H. Richardson and Solon Beman. The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Prairie Avenue Festival, which runs from 11 to 5 today, will include free dance demonstrations, puppet shows, barbershop quartets, live theater, and political oratory–all in the garden next to Clarke House, 18th Street and Prairie. Clarke House will be open to visitors; quilts, weavings, and handmade baskets will also be on display and for sale. Call 326-1393.
While you’re in the neighborhood, check out multimedia artist Mark Van Wagner’s show at the Prairie Avenue Gallery. Some curators say a collection isn’t a collection until you have at least 25 pieces. Others say four or five will do, depending on the works. Van Wagner offers collector starter kits with his Insider exhibit, which consists of six individual collections, each offered for sale as a single piece. Van Wagner uses paintings, light boxes, sculpture, children’s toys, and everyday objects in his iconoclastic installations. Prices range from $800 to $8,000. The exhibit, which runs through July 9, opens with a reception tonight from 5 to 8 at the gallery, 1900 S. Prairie. Regular hours are 1 to 5 Friday through Sunday; viewing is free. For more call 842-4523.
Monday 12
Wednesday 14
