Aspiring filmmaker Christian Aguilar, 25, is fascinated with the creative ways artists can tell stories. OPEN Center for the Arts in Little Village is helping to make his goal of becoming a professional filmmaker possible. He shared his plans to attend film school with executive director J. Omar Magaña and development director Fernando Aburto, and they hired the then-high school sophomore as a videographer. “I couldn’t believe how lucky I was,” Christian says. “I was getting experience, getting paid and getting to do what I always wanted to do, film.”
OPEN Center for the Arts started as a grassroots collective where resident artists planned exhibits. After their original building burned down, a new space was created for artists of all kinds to share, showcase and develop their talents. The center supports entrepreneurship opportunities in the arts, promotes emerging and aspiring artists, and connects people of all ages through art—culinary arts, writing, photography, music, theater and dance.
“Art gives you the ability to create something out of nothing,” says Magaña, who grew up in the neighborhood. “Art helps people figure things out, whether it’s to clear the mind or strategically think about how to do something.” An example is The Art of Competing workshop where participants make cars from a block of wood and compete to see who can make theirs go the fastest. They learn about aesthetics, as well as the science of gravity, friction and velocity, says Magaña, a sculptor who works in metal and wood. “They learn how to compete and how not to gloat when they win or get upset when they lose.”
The center’s in-house, virtual and school workshops are free, as are theater classes, film festivals and musical performances. The center has hosted 45 exhibitions showcasing over 500 local, national and international artists from over 70 countries. It has held over 150 in-person art workshops, over 100 virtual workshops and six urban film courses for youth. It has presented 85 performances and distributed over 3,000 art kits to Lawndale residents. Twenty-six public art projects have explored topics promoting a happier, healthier and more environmentally conscious community. Workshops are held in English and Spanish.
It’s a great opportunity for local artists and young artists who want to have their work on a gallery wall and have it for sale. I’m inspired by that commitment.
Christian Aguilar
Christian first got involved with the center nine years ago when he joined the theater program. He left to earn a degree in film and returned in 2022. He now works for the center as a videographer and program coordinator for the One Summer Chicago urban filmmaking program.
Christian loves working in a creative environment that supports new and established talent. “The gallery is a great place for local artists to showcase their work,” he says. “It’s a great opportunity for local artists and young artists who want to have their work on a gallery wall and have it for sale. I’m inspired by that commitment.”
Through the Robert R. McCormick Communities Fund, dedicated people across Chicagoland help make sure that every child and family has opportunities to achieve their goals. With your support, we can create new possibilities and help make countless dreams come true. Funding from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation Communities Fund assists organizations on the South and West Sides of Chicago to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children, young adults, and families each and every day.
