Greektown Chicago is celebrating the holiday season with a traditional Holiday Karavákia Display now through January 15, 2022.
In Greece, there is an old Christmas tradition of decorating karavákia (little boats) with paint, lights and other materials. The Greektown Arts Committee has brought this unique tradition to life in Chicago by inviting 30+ local artists to decorate little boat models and providing them to Greektown businesses to display in their windows or in a prominent place for public viewing throughout the holiday season. Visit greektownchicago.org for more information.
Artworks in Greektown Chicago’s new Holiday Karavákia Display, photos by Diane Alexander White.
Greektown is also showcasing a larger karaváki, painted by distinguished artist James Mesple, near the monument at Elysian Field (southeast corner of Halsted and Van Buren Streets), where Greektown’s holiday tree is located.
Visit Greektown Chicago and enjoy the Holiday Karavákia Display that combines modern-day art with homeland traditions. This vibrant art display celebrating the holiday season is sponsored by Greektown SSA #16.
Greektown Holiday Karavákia Display artists & locations
Arkadia Tower Apartments
Artist: Chuck Walker
111 S. Halsted St. (in lobby)
Artopolis Bakery, Cafe and Agora
Artists: Vicky Tesmer, Andy Morreale, & Jennifer Cronin (3 boats)
306 S. Halsted St. (inside)
Athena Restaurant
Artists: Ken Hirte, Dustin Harris & Terry Poulos (3 boats)
212 S. Halsted St. (inside)
Athenian Candle Co.
Artists: James Mesple, Malika Jackson, Rebecca Zaragoza, & Tyrue “Slang” Jones (4 boats)
300 S. Halsted St. (in windows)
Chicago Parthenon Hostel
Artists: Connie Hinkle & Victoria Martin (2 boats)
310-312 S. Halsted St. (in windows)
CHI Smokes
Artist: Leo Talaganis
309 S. Halsted St. (inside)
Dugan’s on Halsted
Artist: Marcelo Elli
128 S. Halsted St. (inside)
Greek Islands Restaurant
Artists: Fernando Ramirez, Diane Thodos, Patricia Owsiany, Panos Fiorentios & Alexandra Damato (5 boats)
200 S. Halsted (In windows & inside)
Mythical Smokes
Artist: David Holt
235 S. Halsted St. (In window)
Nine Muses Bar & Grill
Artists: Kiki Whitehead & Kathleen King (2 boats)
315 S. Halsted St. (inside)
Rye Deli + Drink
Artist: Chris Loutris
25 S. Halsted St. (inside)
Sonder Greektown Suites
Artist: Michael Thompson & Sheri Smith (2 boats)
314 S. Halsted St. (in windows)
Spectrum Bar & Grill
Artists: Michael Thompson, Vasiliki Valkanas, Louis DeMarco & Mariana Karampelas (4 boats)
233 S. Halsted St. (inside)
Starbucks
Artist: Ms. Alex White
116 S. Halsted St. (inside)
The Van Buren Apartments
Artists: Dino & Mark Crisanti
808 W. Van Buren St. (inside)
Walgreens
Artist: Tracey Ostmann
111 S. Halsted St. (in window)
Wild Fork Foods
Artist: Eve Moran
100 S. Halsted St. (inside)
About Greektown Chicago
Greektown is a dining, nightlife and cultural district located on the Near West Side of Chicago. A popular destination for tourists and Chicago residents alike, Greektown offers the best sampling of Greek heritage outside of Athens—from authentic restaurants, cafes and shops to the National Hellenic Museum and annual Taste of Greektown festival. Greektown Special Service Area #16 is the business improvement district for the neighborhood, administered by sole service provider the West Central Association and guided by a volunteer commission of local business owners, property owners and residents. For more information, visit greektownchicago.org.