The Dittmar Memorial Gallery in Evanston is hosting 'I Was Here,' a community-driven exhibition running from April 9 to May 3, 2026. Curated by Jasmine Ametovski and Clare Kirwan, the show features 24 local artists utilizing diverse mediums such as sound, video, and beeswax to document their daily lives. The project prioritizes lived experience and personal encounters over traditional, academic studio practices.
This exhibition represents a growing movement toward democratizing art spaces and reclaiming cultural identities through grassroots creativity. By centering on the perspectives of local community members rather than established art world hierarchies, the curators aim to challenge the perceived exclusivity of galleries and foster a more inclusive environment for artistic expression.