A New Chapter Begins for ABH
2024 has been transformative for ABH. After some challenges, we have secured a space where our book arts community can thrive. The building has easy access to the CTA Blue Line, Metra, and I-90. It’s the perfect location to connect with the community, hold workshops, and showcase the book arts. After months of cleaning, organizing, and filling the space with equipment generously donated by friends of ABH—including Bob McCamant, Julie Naggs, Barb Korbel, Mark Moroney, April Sheridan and Daniel Mellis, and many others—our new “house” is beginning to resemble home.
OPEN HOUSE FUNDRAISER
On October 13th, we held our first “Bare Bones” Open House fundraiser in the space. With help from Melissa Jay Craig, Karen Paluzzi Steele, Carol Prieto, and Todd Summar, and Killian Fowler, a few skeletons, and building plans and renderings provided by architects John Eifler and Gil Galan (Eifler & Associates), we decorated the windows and transformed the space to help guests visualize our future book and paper center.
BLOCK CLUB ARTICLE
Ken Gerleve, board members Todd Summar, Karen Paluzzi Steele, and Killian Fowler collaborated on a press release that resulted in an article and interview of Audrey Niffenegger by Molly DeVore from Block Club. The article generated a lot of interest and boosted attendance to our “Bare Bones” Fundraiser, which raised $5,475.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
At the Open House, we connected with neighbors and our long-time supporters, discussing our plans for renovating our new space. Through conversations with neighborhood representatives—including Anna Sobor from the Old Irving Park Association, Pat Clark from the Greater Irving Park Neighbor’s Association, and members of Alderwoman Ruth Cruz’s office—we confirmed that the community is eager for arts programming, affordable educational activities, and a safe, stable environment that contributes to economic growth, especially as some storefronts in the area have remained vacant since the Covid-19 pandemic.
This neighborhood is home to a diverse community with varying backgrounds. By revitalizing a vacant storefront, we aim to help drive economic growth and foster collaboration with local businesses, helping to turn Old Irving Park into a cultural destination and celebrating its diversity.