Lincoln Square Pottery Studio – Learning Center presents its 7th annual Pottery of Protest exhibition. This show combines clay and activism in unique and thought-provoking ways.
Artists often use their form of creativity to break down and then build up the complex issues that surround them. The world at large can be overwhelming; hate, violence, famine and natural disasters just to name a few. Artists have always been the canary in the coal mine, sensing when freedom and justice are being eroded. Pottery of Protest 7 has inspired students to create artwork that reflects the discourse across the globe.

The Pottery of Protest concept began back in 2016, when political upheaval in the US took a turn towards the perilous. Heated discussions and frustrations circulated through the studio, building to a crescendo when the presidential elections concluded. Collectively, the studio decided to gather and display all of their personal work created with passion and conviction. The first exhibition, in February of 2017, was attended by by the studio’s students and their families. By the time the show hit its half-decade mark, the public showed up in droves to see the introspective work.

POP7’s theme for 2024 is based around the words inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty. “Yearning to Breathe Free,” was meant to be a symbol of open immigration and opportunity. Amid the stark migrant crisis currently facing the country, politicians have twisted these honored words to exclude the desperate people trying to escape poverty and death in Central and South America.

This year’s theme is a jump-off point to spark the students’ inner passions. Our artists have been working on both literal interpretations as well as very nuanced impressions of the topic. Pieces are being created depicting the struggle of those arriving in Chicago in the dead of winter from the Texas border crossing. This national emergency is on everyone’s mind, and between the lack of housing, work permits and essentials for living, the city and its residents are in a quandary. For those migrants looking to start life in the “Promised Land”, the transition to their new city has been a harsh one. Other artworks for the show delve into the the shocking statistics surrounding the 500+ murders occurring annually in Chicago. The works also acknowledge the lives that were lost, as well as the lasting impact on communities. Global warming is a repeated artwork topic- significantly ramping up in number since the show’s inception.

The Pottery of Protest show has always incorporated a fundraiser to help out local non-profits with meaningful causes. Beautiful hand-made mugs donated by the studio’s students go for sale as part of the event (and get filled with delicious hot beverages). Past recipients have been the Red Door Animal Shelter, Common Pantry, LYTE Collective and Inner-City Muslim Action Network’s Beloved Studio. One hundred percent of the money raised during the Buy-A-Cup Benefit will again go to a chosen organization in 2024. This year’s choice is The Chicago Furniture Bank. This thoughtful organization, established in 2018, collects and distributes home furnishings to those struggling with poverty in the city, as well as keeping tons of furniture waste out of landfills. They have placed more than 5,000 items into Chicagoan’s homes- as well as providing dignity, stability and comfort. LSPS-LC chose the CFB because it gives much needed services to both long time city residents, as well as the newly arrived migrants that are being settled into more permanent housing.

Please join us Saturday, February 24th (5-9pm) at 4150 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, to celebrate freedom of creative expression, as well as honoring local organizations that serve those in need.

Official Website

More events on this date

Tags: Chicago, Lincoln Square, Lincoln Square Pottery Studio, Pottery of Protest 7