Art Beat: Greektown Chicago is Celebrating the Holiday Season with a Traditional Holiday Karavákia Display Through January 15, 2022

Art Beat:

New Greektown public art exhibit 

celebrates the season

 

photos by Diane Alexander White

Holiday Karavákia Display showcases vibrant little boats

from 30+ local artists now through January 15, 2022

in businesses throughout Greektown

In Greece, there is an old Christmas tradition of decorating karavákia (little boats) with paint, lights and other materials. The Greektown Arts Committee has brought this unique tradition to life in Chicago by inviting 30+ local artists to decorate little boat models and providing them to Greektown businesses to display in their windows or in a prominent place for public viewing throughout the holiday season. Visit greektownchicago.org for more information.

Greektown is also showcasing a larger karaváki, painted by distinguished artist James Mesple, near the monument at Elysian Field (southeast corner of Halsted and Van Buren Streets), where Greektown’s holiday tree is located.

Visit Greektown Chicago and enjoy the Holiday Karavákia Display that combines modern-day art with homeland traditions. This vibrant art display celebrating the holiday season is sponsored by Greektown SSA #16.

Greektown Holiday Karavákia Display artists & locations

Arkadia Tower Apartments

Artist: Chuck Walker

111 S. Halsted St. (in lobby)

 

Artopolis Bakery, Cafe and Agora

Artists: Vicky Tesmer, Andy Morreale, & Jennifer Cronin (3 boats)

306 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

Athena Restaurant

Artists: Ken Hirte, Dustin Harris & Terry Poulos (3 boats)

212 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

Athenian Candle Co.

Artists: James Mesple, Malika Jackson, Rebecca Zaragoza, & Tyrue “Slang” Jones (4 boats)

300 S. Halsted St. (in windows)

 

Chicago Parthenon Hostel

Artists: Connie Hinkle & Victoria Martin (2 boats)

310-312 S. Halsted St. (in windows)

 

CHI Smokes

Artist: Leo Talaganis

309 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

Dugan’s on Halsted

Artist: Marcelo Elli

128 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

Greek Islands Restaurant

Artists: Fernando Ramirez, Diane Thodos, Patricia Owsiany, Panos Fiorentios & Alexandra Damato (5 boats)

200 S. Halsted (In windows & inside)

 

Mythical Smokes

Artist: David Holt

235 S. Halsted St. (In window)

 

Nine Muses Bar & Grill

Artists: Kiki Whitehead & Kathleen King (2 boats)

315 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

Rye Deli + Drink

Artist: Chris Loutris

25 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

Sonder Greektown Suites

Artist: Michael Thompson & Sheri Smith (2 boats)

314 S. Halsted St. (in windows)

 

Spectrum Bar & Grill

Artists: Michael Thompson, Vasiliki Valkanas, Louis DeMarco & Mariana Karampelas (4 boats)

233 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

Starbucks

Artist: Ms. Alex White

116 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

The Van Buren Apartments

Artists: Dino & Mark Crisanti

808 W. Van Buren St. (inside)

 

Walgreens

Artist: Tracey Ostmann

111 S. Halsted St. (in window)

 

Wild Fork Foods

Artist: Eve Moran

100 S. Halsted St. (inside)

 

About Greektown Chicago

Greektown is a dining, nightlife and cultural district located on the Near West Side of Chicago. A popular destination for tourists and Chicago residents alike, Greektown offers the best sampling of Greek heritage outside of Athens—from authentic restaurants, cafes and shops to the National Hellenic Museum and annual Taste of Greektown festival. Greektown Special Service Area #16 is the business improvement district for the neighborhood, administered by sole service provider the West Central Association and guided by a volunteer commission of local business owners, property owners and residents. For more information, visit greektownchicago.org.