Side Street Studio Arts presents "Emerging City" exhibit

With the help of the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and Side Street Studio Arts, in conjunction with the Elgin Fringe Festival, visual artist and SSSA Assistant Director Roberto Martinez will present "Emerging City," an exhibition featuring beautifully crafted portraits of the people who work in downtown Elgin and have a significant presence within the daily cultural life of the city.

The exhibit's First Friday sneak preview event will be held Friday, Sept. 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court in Elgin. It will feature a live DJ set by Mallinst, and is open to the public.

All the "Emerging City" portraits were shot with a 1940s press camera, used by the Elgin Courier News for many decades. Martinez's efforts consisted of long photo shoots with the portrait subjects, the scanning and digital printing of the collection of life-sized portraits, and careful installation within the gallery. Viewers will be confronted head on, creating a sense of immediacy and deeper understanding of the rich history of community within Elgin.

The exhibit will also feature additional Elgin-focused works from Martinez, as well as the camera used in the project with a history of its previous users.

"Emerging City" will remain at Side Street Studio Arts, which will also act as Fringe Central during the Elgin Fringe Festival Sept. 11-14.

Side Street Studio Arts was founded by Tanner Melvin and Erin Rehberg in 2013 as an outlet for the Elgin arts scene. Currently under the direction of Amanda Harris, Melvin, and Rehberg, its mission is to provide educational and creative resources and an accessible space, run by artists, encouraging all aspects of the artistic process from creation to curation. For more information on this or any of its programs, visit www.SideStreetStudioArts.org, email SideStreetStudioArts@gmail.com, or call (847) 429-2276.