Presented by the Smart Museum of Art in collaboration with Obama Presidential Center, families will explore the theme “community” through collaborative, hands-on art making inspired by the work of Theaster Gates and the vibrant cultural history of Chicago’s South Side. Families will create mixed-media collages using found materials, family photos, handwritten notes, and symbolic objects that reflect their own personal and collective stories. These artworks will serve as tangible expressions of memory, identity, and neighborhood pride. 

Registration is strongly encouraged to help the Smart team best prepare for the day. Walk-ins will be welcome as space allows. Register here.

About The Obama Foundation
Rooted in the values of the Obama Presidential Center, this project emphasizes community empowerment, intergenerational connection, and the power of storytelling to shape civic identity. Just as the OPC seeks to be a living hub for history, creativity, and leadership—uplifting voices that have long shaped the South Side—this program provides a platform for families to share their stories and see themselves as co-authors of the region’s past, present, and future.

“Community Ties” supports the Obama Foundation’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect people from all walks of life and celebrate the South Side as an incubator of talent, culture, and innovation. It also aligns with the Smart Museum’s commitment to inclusive, object-based learning and community engagement through art. Together, this collaboration encourages families to reflect on the ties that bind us, the legacies we inherit, and the stories still waiting to be told.

"Community Ties" is also generously supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art.