For Immediate Release Media contact: The Field Museum Greg Borzo 312/665-7106 gborzo@fieldmuseum.org Field Museum Photo Exhibit Showcases Mixed-Income Residents' Assets CHICAGO—Reinforcing the community-building efforts of the Lake Park Crescent Service Collaborative, The Field Museum's Center for Cultural Understanding and Change (CCUC) has created a photo exhibit portraying the diverse experiences and assets of residents of Lake Park Crescent (LPC), a new mixed-income community in Chicago's North Kenwood-Oakland neighborhood. The exhibit, consisting of three photos with accompanying text and quotes, is intended to convey the wealth of resources that residents bring to the area, and will be formally unveiled during a reception at Lake Park Crescent at 6:30 p.m. on July 10, 2007. Invitees, including 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinckle, North Kenwood-Oakland community leaders, and Lake Park Crescent residents, will hear opening remarks at 7:00 p.m. by Alaka Wali, Nuveen Curator in Anthropology and Director of CCUC, and resident leader Kathy Wilson. Residents featured in the photographs will also be present. Opened in late 2004, Lake Park Crescent is home to nearly 300 people and is part of the Chicago Housing Authority's Plan for Transformation, the innovative new housing strategy that has public housing, tax-credit and market-rate residents living side-by-side in new communities. The Lake Park Crescent Collaborative – a unique partnership between property management company Draper and Kramer, Inc., social service provider Abraham Lincoln Centre, and the applied anthropologists of CCUC – strives to support residents in their community-building efforts by helping to explore and uncover their skills, strengths and resources. Since 2005, the Center for Cultural Understanding and Change has applied to LPC previous research that shows that participation in informal art programs can break down barriers related to race and socio-economic status and expand social networks. "People of all walks in life are passionate when it comes to art," Wali said. "When people make art together, they learn to see past stereotypes and start to trust each other." Activities ranging from painting sessions and yoga classes held on-site at LPC to professional culinary and cultural center field trips have been offered to engage residents and encourage personal and professional networking. The exhibit, "Building Networks: Connecting Residents at Lake Park Crescent," was developed by CCUC, with assistance and approval from the newly formed LPC Resident Art Council. Photos of residents participating in informal art programs offered by CCUC as well as resident-initiated activities highlight the success of the community and address the issue of social network expansion that the Lake Park Crescent Service Collaborative hopes to achieve. "I love the experiences we have through the collaboration and the attempt to get everyone involved," said resident Marian Jones. "It's healthy to have different backgrounds so we can learn and [understand] other people and their cultures." The exhibit will remain in the lobbies of the Lake Park Crescent mid-rise and six-flat buildings for six months, followed by a proposed move to local public and gallery spaces. <<Return to the Press Room