Navy Pier will celebrate Black History Month with a rich tapestry of programming showcasing the artistic and cultural vibrancy of the Black community in Chicago and beyond. Plans call for the month-long return of Navy Pier’s Black Makers Market, interactive workshops hosted by artists from Women’s Live Artist Studio, and the final performances of the critically and popularly acclaimed Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
“Commemorating Black History Month with programming that’s meaningful and accessible speaks to Navy Pier’s mission,” said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner. "As the People’s Pier, it is our opportunity and responsibility to provide access to diverse experiences, ensuring that guests of all communities and backgrounds see themselves reflected in the programs we present and the stories we tell.”
Black Makers Market presented by Allstate
Over the course of four February Saturdays, 30 local African American artisans, designers, and entrepreneurs will take over Navy Pier’s Family Pavilion Food Experience Corridor to display their original products for sale. Presented by Allstate, the Black Makers Market will feature 10 different vendors each weekend showcasing a range of one-of-a-kind wares from home goods and fashion apparel to handcrafted jewelry and head ware. The Black Makers Market will be open for business every Saturday in February from Noon to 6 p.m.
Participating vendors include: Nzuri Kulture, The Arpina Collection LLC, Double Stitch Twins, Kingston James and Company, Chetoni Designs, Hemp Heals Body Shop, Gaia Designs by Q LLC, BJA Ceramics, among others.
Black History Month Workshops hosted by Women’s Live Artist Studio
Women’s Live Artist Studio is offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with artists and create
alongside them during two free Black History Month workshops. Neighboring the Chicago Children’s Museum, Women’s LIVE Artist Studio seeks to break the stigma around museum visits, especially for communities where previous generations may not have engaged with art institutions. Workshop dates and topics are:
Black History Collage Creations (Saturday, February 15, 1 - 5 p.m.) – Women’s Live Artist Studio co-founder Dana Todd Pope will guide would-be crafters through mixed media to create a meaningful collage that celebrates Black icons and achievements. Open to budding artists, age 7 and up.
Create Your Legacy (Saturday, February 22, 1 - 5 p.m.) Hosted by artist Jennifer Hodges, this workshop is a meaningful opportunity to reflect on personal history and honor the stories that shape us. By creating art that weaves together memories and values, participants not only preserve their legacy but also gain a deeper understanding of themselves. The workshop was created to foster connection, creativity, and a sense of empowerment.
Women's Live Artist Studio is a community of Chicago-based, predominately African American, female artists who create, display, and sell their art year-round from Navy Pier’s Family Pavilion. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and mediums, but share a common goal of empowering women in the art world.
‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Critics and audiences are head (and hair) over heels in love with Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Celebrating its final weekend of performances, February 1 and 2, the play is set in a bustling Harlem hotspot where West African immigrant braiders work their magic on the locals’ locks. Amidst the lively buzz of a scorching summer day, audiences are invited to pull up a chair with Marie, Bea, Miriam, Aminata, and Ndidi as love blossoms, dreams flourish, and secrets are revealed. Written by Tony-nominated Ghanaian-American playwright Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Chicago’s own award-winning director Whitney White, this laugh-out-loud comedic gem “is equally affecting as it is hilarious,” hails Entertainment Weekly.
Note: All artists, events, and dates are subject to change.
ABOUT NAVY PIER
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. Today, Navy Pier continues to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts – including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurant and retail partnerships, and thrilling new attractions such as Flyover Chicago. The Pier is proud to present free, year-round cultural programming designed to inspire, educate, and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit NavyPier.org.