ISSUE 11

Two years 🎉

A Note from our Operations Manager, Lilly Torres:

This month, we proudly celebrate the second anniversary of Movement on Montrose—a space that has become far more than a building. Over the past two years, Movement on Montrose has grown into a vibrant community hub where people from all backgrounds come together to connect, create, learn, and thrive.

From welcoming nonprofit organizations and small businesses to hosting artists, dancers, community leaders, families, entrepreneurs, and neighbors, our space has been shaped by the incredible diversity of people who walk through our doors. What began as a vision for an accessible and inclusive gathering place has evolved into a home for collaboration, creativity, wellness, and community impact.

We are especially grateful to the many partners, volunteers, instructors, and supporters who have helped make Movement on Montrose a place where everyone feels welcome. Together, we have celebrated achievements, launched new initiatives, supported local causes, and built meaningful relationships that strengthen our community.

As we reflect on the past two years, we are inspired by what has been created together and excited for what lies ahead. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your energy, ideas, and commitment continue to make Movement on Montrose a place where movement, connection, and community flourish.

Here's to the next chapter and many more years of growing together! 

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Red Line Service

We’re very excited to host Red Line Service for our next group art exhibition! Their show will run from June 29th - September 10th with a public reception on Wednesday, July 15th from 12-2pm.

Who are you and what do you do?

Red Line Service is a community of artists and art lovers with a lived experience of houselessness working together with professionals in the arts to reduce barriers to the arts for all. We insist - as unhoused or housing & food insecure artists and art lovers - that we lead, uplift and sustain the community, with support from professionals in the arts, as co-producers. Some of us want access to arts programming that we can consume and enjoy. Others of us, strive for careers and recognition in the arts. We all acknowledge that the lack of fulfilling cultural experiences, precarious wages, food insecurity and high cost of transportation hinder our success and our ability to live enriching cultural lives. Through art programming, artmaking and forging social bonds, we cultivate abundant collective care.

Through our depth over breadth programs and events, we:

✸ Engage with highly regarded visual artists, art historians, curators, filmmakers, actors, writers, musicians, and other cultural workers;
✸ Sharpen our own art, writing, and music expertise in workshops with renowned practicing artists;
✸ Present our own art to a broader public through publications, events, exhibitions, and performances;
✸ Build a thriving, loving community.

The impacts of our community-empowering model:

✸ De-stigmatize homelessness;
✸ Decrease social isolation;
✸ Develop a sense of belonging and social cohesion;
✸ Provide channels for talent to be recognized, appreciated, and enjoyed; 
✸ Re-enter the stream of life;
✸ Shift the narrative of homelessness away from one of individual blame and towards an understanding of its systemic causes.

Research shows that a sense of personal well-being and social connectedness are critical to securing and retaining housing. Insisting on community-led work, in partnership with professionals in the arts, means providing more than emergency services. It also means fundamentally reshaping society into a deeply connected community of care.

Tell us about your upcoming exhibition at MoM?

Housing is the Cure examines the impact of being unhoused on a person's health. The prints were made by artists with lived experience of being unhoused and housing insecure—those most impacted by the problem, and whose voices are essential to ending homelessness.

The prints are based on research from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

You can learn more and support the work of Red Line Service on their website.

COMING UP

Event Vendor Expo Day

Join us on Sunday, August 2nd from 12-4pm for this free and kid-friendly event brought to you by Movement on Montrose and KAOZ Entertainment!

This event will connect families, organizations, and event planners with local party professionals who create memorable celebrations for their clients. We’re excited to have Pourfection showcasing their bartender services and we’ll keep the announcements coming as we solidify more local talent. If you (or someone you know) provides products or services for events, submit an inquiry form to join us as a vendor.

Whether you join us as a vendor or guest, we’d love your help in creating a one-stop destination for all your party planning needs!

RSVP as a guest here.

IMPORTANT DATES

July Edition

July 4th: Independence Day. Studio rentals available from 8:20am-1:30pm (book here). Please note: There will be no Zumba with Tapestry360.

July 11th: Fundraiser for The People’s Music School from 3:30-6:30pm | An afternoon of food, drinks, live music, games, and fun—all supporting high-quality, tuition-free music education in Chicago. Tickets available here.

July 12th: Yoga in Urdu from 12-1:30pm | Want to practice listening and speaking Urdu and Hindi in fun ways? Then come to yoga with Azadi Folk School! We will be getting some exercise in while also learning practical Urdu vocabulary and phrases related to body movements, exercise, and yoga poses. Tickets available here.

July 16th: Sew a Tote Bag from 5:30-8:30pm | Two experienced instructors will guide you through this workshop with Azadi Folk School so that you can leave with a finished patchwork tote bag complete with a pocket for stashing books or anything else you fancy! Tickets available here.

July 17th: ​Sew a Patchwork Tee from 11:20am-2:30pm | Come sew a patchwork tee with Azadi Folk School! We will be using the Matchy Matchy Sewing Club Craft Studio Tee pattern, and you’ll leave with the large printed pattern so you can make this again and again at home. Tickets available here.

July 18th + 19th: Sew Pants with Marshall | You’ll learn everything from how to cut and follow a pattern to basic pants construction in this two-day workshop with Azadi Folk School! View the daily schedule and purchase tickets here.

July 19th: Buddhism Service from 11:15am-1:30pm | Nichiren Shu Sangha of Chicago will host their monthly service with Reverend Igarashi. Free and open to the public, donations welcome.

July 26th: Donation-Based Yoga Class from 5-6pm | Join Balanced for Good for their monthly yoga class where your contributions support local community organizations. This month’s class will support Nourishing Hope. Register here.

July 28th: Shodaigyo Meditation from 7-8:15pm | Join Nichiren Shu Buddhist Sangha of Chicago for their monthly Shodaigyo Meditation session. Free and open to the public, donations welcome.

There will be Free Community Zumba with Tapestry360 Health from 10:15-11:30am on 7/11, 7/18, and 7/25.

Make sure to check out the Classes + Events page on our website to learn more about upcoming public programming.

We are open Monday through Friday 9am-5pm + by appointment.

Movement on Montrose
2951 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

312-585-8741

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