Muhammad Ali Sculpture Brings The Greatest to Uptown Chicago

Chicago IL

04 August, 2021

9:44 AM

Description

The 2nd Annual Uptown Art Week seeks to stoke the love that long-time residents and business owners have for Uptown, to build neighborhood pride in newcomers to Uptown, and to incite the curiosity of visitors to explore all that Uptown has to offer. A highlight of Uptown Art week is the Home Tour, in which local residents share their passion for community by opening their homes to the Public. Oliver Aguilar, Architect and Art Collector is the Home Tour Highlight. Combining his passion for Uptown Community, Aguilar takes you on an exclusive tour of an art collector's home! His luxury home is a unique Brownstone in Chicago's Uptown Neighborhood and is full of creative expression and individuality. While you're waiting for the Uptown Home Tour, Oliver Aguilar will be featuring the "I am the Greatest sculpture project" in front of his home located at 4841 North Kenmore. You can see these 5-foot x 8-inch orange sculptures on the rooftops, pathways and street corners in the Benton Harbor Arts District and downtown St. Joseph, Michigan. A collaboration between ARS Gallery and the Sauvé Art Foundation, the sculpture symbolize the greatness of the area, but also serve as the inspiration for the I Am the Greatest arts-based workshops that have served at risk youth. Established in the spring of 2011 the "I Am Greatest Sculpture Project" is a series of 30 sculptures located in Benton Harbor and St Joe Michigan. Created by renowned Detroit artist John Sauvé and named after Muhammad Ali, the world's greatest heavyweight boxer, who lived four decades on his estate in Southwest Michigan. His 1963 poem, "I Am the Greatest," is the basis of an "The I am the Greatest sculpture project". that has grown into year-round workshops, after-school classes, summer arts camps and private art classes that help at-risk youth achieve their own greatness. Aguilar will be displaying the sculpture for the next year. The 2nd Annual Uptown Art Week will feature over 150 pieces of public art including more than 40 new works going up on walls around the neighborhood, art exhibits being hosted by local businesses, live paintings, and interactive art activities for all ages. You can use our interactive map below to do a self-guided tour around Uptown and to locate a variety of Uptown business activations. Produced by Uptown United & Uptown Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Chicago Market, the Uptown Art Fair will feature artwork for viewing and purchasing from several local artists. Come join us and help celebrate Uptown Art Week 2021! If you RSVP below we'll send you a friendly reminder, but it's not necessary. Drop by the Art Fair anytime between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm on August 8th at 4620 N. Broadway.