MLK Day 2025 – Echoes of Freedom

Hyde Park Art Center is proud to present Echoes of Freedom, a day-long celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy. Taking place on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 11 AM to 4 PM, this annual event blends live music, thought-provoking film, engaging art activities, and inspiring discussions to create a rich, multi-dimensional experience for all ages.

This year’s theme, Echoes of Freedom, highlights the ways in which art serves as a vessel for collective memory, liberation, and joy while reflecting on Dr. King’s profound impact on social justice and cultural movements.

Event Highlights:

Live Music and Sonic Performances (1-4 PM):

Prepare for an unforgettable afternoon of sound and emotion as the Art Center transforms into a stage for celebrated performers:

● CSO Civic Quartet will perform a setlist featuring works by Black women composers, showcasing the often-overlooked contributions of these trailblazers to classical music. ● ONO, Chicago’s groundbreaking gospel-industrial noise ensemble, will bring their unique blend of genres, challenging traditional musical boundaries while amplifying messages of resilience and liberation.

● Norman Long, Hyde Park Art Center Artist-in-Residence, will present an immersive sonic performance. Attendees can also view his contributions to the group exhibition Positions, curated by the Center’s new Director of Exhibitions, Mariela Acuña, in the Kanter McCormick Gallery.

Film Screenings in Partnership with the Consulat Général de France à Chicago (11AM & 1PM):

Discover the riveting story of Edward Jones, one of Chicago’s historical icons, with a double screening of the award-winning documentary King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones. Directed by Harriet Marin Jones, this film delves into the life of the legendary Policy King, exploring his rise to prominence and the challenges he faced as a pioneer of the modern lottery system.

Interactive Art Activities for All Ages (11AM-1PM):

Visitors can participate in hands-on art-making led by the Hyde Park Art Center’s teaching artists. Activities include:

● Screenprinting Workshops, allowing participants to create their own freedom-inspired designs.

● Adinkra Textile Design, a nod to West African heritage and symbolism.

● A Community DREAMS Coloring Collage and MLK Timeline, inviting attendees to share personal reflections on freedom, Black liberation, and collective joy.

Activations on Cultural Narratives:

In preparation for Court Theatre's upcoming production of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, the theater will host an all-ages Creative Writing Activation titled "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black." This special session draws inspiration from the powerful words of Hansberry herself, as well as the songs and writings of the Black Liberation movement, spanning from the past to the

present. Participants will explore themes of identity, empowerment, and resilience through writing exercises that reflect both historical and contemporary struggles and triumphs.

“On-the Spot” Zine Publishing Pop-Up with Lucky Jefferson:

Join us for a dynamic and creative Zine Publishing Pop-Up with Lucky Jefferson, an innovative literary arts platform. This engaging event invites guests to participate in a live zine-making workshop where completed pages will be compiled into a digital zine, archiving the day’s collective creativity.

Zine-making provides an accessible and empowering way to share stories, creativity, and voices, breaking down the barriers often associated with traditional publishing. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lucky Jefferson welcomes the community to take part in this special “On-the-Spot” Pop-Up event.

Participants can craft their own zines to showcase their unique artistic expressions, engage in a zine swap, or "pay it forward" by leaving behind a poem, artwork, or completed zine for others. All contributions will come together in a digital zine, celebrating the shared creativity and voices of the Hyde Park Art Center community.

Why Attend?

This event is more than a celebration; it’s an opportunity to engage with Dr. King’s legacy through the lens of contemporary art and culture. Whether you’re exploring new perspectives through film, finding joy in collaborative art-making, or being moved by powerful live performances, Echoes of Freedom promises to inspire and unite our community.

Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Join us as we honor Dr. King’s vision and explore the transformative power of art in shaping a brighter future for all.

Host or Publisher Hyde Park Art Center