Support the future of Chicago art

Help us discover new artist in Chicago! READER MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY  say hello to the future. Meet Kennedy Freeman, a Chicago artist whose story represents the Reader's future. When you become a member, your donation opens the door to discovering and supporting the rich Chicago arts scene and creators like Kennedy. [Become a member]( My name is Kennedy Freeman and I am an independent artist based in Chicago. I create whimsical and colorful portraits that aim to capture my perspective of the world. My subjects are often Black women like myself. We deserve to be able to daydream and see ourselves romanticized. I love experimenting with color, pattern, textures and more to create fun pieces. I think Black women deserve to have joyful and feminine representation. There are no bounds to my work but it often reflects my personal life, especially with my series of self portraits. the power of community In the process of trying to get my name out there and wanting to tap in with the community, I decided to start throwing events around the city. I am incredibly extroverted and love the creatives Chicago has to offer so I said why not. [Support Chicago Arts and Culture]( I now have an art collective called HourNine and we produce creative experiences and have been for the last 2 years.  We are open arms to all people but try to prioritize women of color. It’s been an eye opening and life changing experience being able to service my community in this way I do try to de-center myself in my work even if I am creating something like a self portrait. Once the work is done it’s no longer about me. We all bring different memories and perspectives and take away different ideas from the same concepts. art & social change I didn’t fully realize how my art could tell a story until I started making protest art. Amidst the social unrest of 2020 I used my drawings to advocate for social injustice and raise funds. By doing this I was able to see how many people I could impact with just imagery that was unique to me. It was pivotal for my growth. I took that with me to make sure to prioritize the stories I tell. Be a part of the future for the Chicago Reader. Join our memberships community for a little a $5 a month. You’ll join 1,800+ Chicagoans who believe in our mission of telling stories that create change. See you soon. [Join today!]( [Facebook icon]( [Instagram icon]( [Twitter icon]( Copyright (C) 2023 Chicago Reader. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to receive emails from Chicago Reader Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader 2930 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 102 Chicago, IL 60616 USA Want fewer emails from us? [Click here]( to choose what you want us to send you. Or, [unsubscribe]( from all Reader emails. We’ll miss you! [View in browser](