CHICAGO IL - The Old Town School of Folk Music 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue will be hosting a special reception and celebration for Chicago area artist Peggy Lipschutz
on Friday, December 7 at 7:00 pm. The event will take place in the Old Town School Gallery and is part of the school's First Friday Open House series. Refreshments will be provided and those attending are invited to bring a snack to share.
Lipschutz, who will turn 94 on December 12 has been a member of the Old Town School of Folk Music family since the school opened on December 1, 1957. Her artwork has adorned the walls and hallways ever since including her trilogy of American folk artists Big Bill Broonzy, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, which have been displayed in the 909 Armitage building since 1970.
"Her latest work, 'Joe Hill,' debuted at Chicago's Uri-Eichen Gallery last September," said Lipschutz Art Fund Director Peg Browning. We started talking and thought the rightful place for the piece would be at the Old Town School's Lincoln Avenue campus. A few of us got together to raise enough money to purchase the painting, have it framed, and add it to the permanent collection at the Old Town School. So far things have been going well."
The Decmeber 7 reception will feature music by Old Town School Executive Director Bau Graves, Chicago troubadour Mark Dvorak, Old Town School favorites The Pickin' Bubs, and a special appearance by The Young Stracke All-Stars, an ensemble of young singers and musicians led by Jason McInnes.
"The Old Town School has been great," said Browning. "They've offered to host the event, and the development team is so excited that so many folks have gotten on board with our project. In the end, we want to raise enough money to make a generous donation to the Old Town School's building fund in the name of Joe Hill. In a way, we're helping to make the chorus of the song about Joe come true. 'I never died,' said he."
To make a contribution to the Peggy Lipschutz Art Fund, click here or on the image to download and print a donation form. For more information on the December 7 event, phone 773 267 0052 or email pegbrown7@aol.com.
Watch a YouTube video interview with Peggy Lipschutz here.