Go West!: Exploring the Culture and Creativity of Chicago's West Town

 

An Ethnic and Artistic Melting Pot
You only have to go minutes northwest of the Loop to find a bourgeoning haven of art, design and culture. While the fashion savvy are likely already familiar with West Town's rapidly multiplying boutiques, the history of the area, as well as its avant garde art galleries and active park, may be lesser known quantities.

West Town is comprised of several neighborhoods, including Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, East Village, Noble Square, Smith Park and Humboldt Park. The area is bounded roughly by Division Street to the north, Halsted to the east, Grand Ave. to the south and Kedzie to the west. West Town has always been a melting pot of ethnic cultures, including German, Scandinavian, Ukrainian, Polish, Italian, Russian, Puerto Rican and Mexican.

While restaurants and boutiques have popped up right and left in the last few years, West Town continues to retain its artistic and cultural character. The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, right in the heart of Ukrainian Village, features an impressive array of art exhibitions, film screenings, musical performances and a permanent collection of works by Chicago and Ukrainian artists. The Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, situated in the beautiful historic Humboldt Park Stables, is the only self standing cultural institution in the country devoted to showcasing Puerto Rican arts and history year-round.

West Town's indie art gallery scene is also coming on strong. The West Town Gallery Network is working to consolidate a new Chicago gallery district in and around West Town neighborhoods, and includes 40,000 Gallery, 65Grand, duchess, Lisa Boyle Gallery, Corbett vs. Dempsey, Fraction Workspace and Western Exhibitions.

The photos on the left feature a statue of Alexander von Humboldt in Humboldt Park, wares from Andina Buenos Aires, Humboldt Park greystones and wares from Penelopes. The images above are from West Fest 2006 (Kara Salgado, photographer) and Western Exhibitions (artist J. Villegas).

From Bruschetta to Boutiques
For those not versed in the area's dining and shopping gems, here is a sampling of these treasures along the Division Street Corridor, a major West Town thoroughfare:

- We enjoyed Mas Restaurant, a charming eatery with Spanish food, flair and flamenco music flowing.

- Enoteca Roma Ristorante and Winebar - "No velvet, no couches, just great wine" is the slogan of this rustic enoteca. Letizia and Fabio Sorano offer you traditional Roman cuisine and 40 wines by the glass.

- Andina Buenos Aires - Opened in October 2006, this new boutique carries handbags, belts, jewelry, handmade scarves and other accessories imported from Argentina. Picture the delightful smell of leather, the tango, and a warm and inviting place, and you have Andina.

- Other notable boutiques include: Gamma Player (sleek European clothing designs), Public i, Plein Aire, Habit, Juliani Shoes, Port Rouge and the list goes on.

Finally, don't miss "WEST FEST" on Aug. 11 and 12, from noon to 10:00 pm, at Chicago and Damen Aves. This grassroots, artsy, hip, neighborhood street festival is organized by the West Town Chamber of Commerce and focuses exclusively on the area's retailers, artists and talent. Check out the two live music stages, LAVA DJ stage and a new area featuring high end retailers and handmade crafts.