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CHICAGO—Navy Pier is honored to celebrate in Black History Month with a new Black Makers Market, live art studio and staff highlights.
Throughout February, Black Makers Market will take place at the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion. Dozens of local African American artisans, designers and entrepreneurs will take over the space to put their products on display. Guests are welcome to attend every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm–6pm.
Vendors include: Beyond Beautiful Books & Beauty, Mack’s Healthy Seasonings, BWYB Products Miss, Teenie’s Handmades, Creativiti Custom Designs and Events LLC, NENE’S CUSTOM CREATIONS, Divine Feminine Find, Nonku’s Corner, Sprouts and Deco, Fearlessly Hue LLC, Soap Junkii Bath & Body, FEM RITUALS TGP, Let’s Chat About Love, Goldies NFT Art Trinity’s Treasures LLC., HEM Healing Every Mind, Tuan Jones Studio, Hoofe designs, TWISTED ROSE Metal, Krafty Chick Jewelry + Accessories, wadecreate, and Waist Ware Waistbeads.
“Entrepreneurial spirit led black explorer Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable to start the settlement that would become our great city, so we’re happy that Navy Pier’s celebration of Black History Month activates that spirit,” said Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Garner. “The People’s Pier will connect today’s entrepreneurs to new followers through an Artisan Market to showcase the works of local black artists and small businesses at the Midwest’s most visited destination.”
In addition to the Black Makers Market, Navy Pier will have a new Black Live Artist Studio starting Wednesday, February 1 in the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion. The studio will be highlighting two artists weekly throughout the month of February. The artists will perform their artwork live and open dialogue about Black artwork with guests who walk by. Hours for live art will vary Monday – Friday. The live art will take place from 12pm – 6pm every Saturday and Sunday in the month of February.
Live Artists:
- Feb. 1 – Feb. 7: Tuan Jones Studio and wadecreate
- Feb. 8 – Feb. 14: wadecreate and HEM Healing Every Mind
- Feb. 15 – Feb. 21: Fearlessly Hue LLC Goldies, NFT Art
- Feb. 22 – Feb. 28: Fearlessly Hue LLC Goldies, NFT Art & Project Contacts
In addition to our programming, we will be celebrating Black History Month on our social media channels by highlighting the staff who make Navy Pier operate.
Note: All artists and dates are subject to change.
ABOUT NAVY PIER
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top nonprofit tourism destination in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and typically welcoming nearly 9 million annual guests. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. The Pier celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 with the unveiling of the iconic Centennial Wheel, Polk Bros Park, Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion and Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion. In 2021, Navy Pier continued to usher in its second century with ongoing Pier-wide redevelopment efforts—including Sable, a 223-room Hilton hotel, new restaurants and partnerships, and thrilling additions to Pier Park. The Pier is also proud to continue providing free, year-round arts and cultural programming designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe. Click here to donate to Navy Pier, a mission-driven 501(c)(3) organization, in support of the organization’s post-pandemic revival and free public programming. For more information, visit navypier.org.
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