Artist residency program to start along 606 Trail

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new artist-in-residency program that allows local artists to create cultural programming throughout the natural space of the 606 Trail will run May 1 - Sept. 30, the Chicago Park District announced Tuesday.

The Open AIR program is a partnership between the park district and the Trust for Public Land.

The artists' projects will be inspired by movement and sound along the Bloomington Trail and nearby parks and engage communities through art-making.

"The selected artists are using creative forms to help communities think about relevant issues like inter-cultural communication in city space and encouraging young people to listen to and interact with the natural landscapes around them," said Meida McNeal, the arts and culture manager for the park district.

The first cohort includes dance artists Kelsa Robinson, Shawn Lent, and Elizabeth Johnson and audio artist Eric Leonardson. Robinson, Lent, and Johnson will facilitate two types of movement and dialogue experiences with diverse community members living near the 606 Trail using dance to connect and reflect on the past, present and future of the neighborhood. Leonardson will invite communities to explore the 606 through a series of soundwalks, original instrument-making classes, and participation in World Listening Day, held in July.