The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) has partnered with some of our favorite local artists to create a series of Ravenswood-inspired puzzles. This limited run of puzzle sets is now available for pre-order, with pickup and shipping in time for the holidays!
Our plans for 2020 were nuked by COVID (just like yours). With festivals and live events cancelled, GRCC pivoted to finding safe, creative ways to promote neighborhood small businesses. Like All Together Now, the recent collaboration from local breweries that sold out in 12 hours, the Ravenswood Artist Puzzle Series is a unique partnership inspired by our member businesses. This first round of puzzles offers us a fresh look at our neighborhood through the eyes of its creative community- 500 pieces at a time!
Shop Small, Puzzle Local
Enjoy hunting down local landmarks as you complete your own version of Cape Horn Illustration’s iconic, hand-drawn neighborhood map. Cape Horn is a popular stop at events like Ravenswood ArtWalk and Show of Hands, where visitors flock to shop illustrated maps and architectural drawings. For obvious reasons, local are especially fond of Bird’s Eye View: Ravenswood. It offers a unique perspective on the heart of our community and the historic Industrial Corridor.
Ice cream lovers across Chicago were crushed when Shelly’s Freeze closed their doors on Lincoln Ave. A visit to the popular fast-food stand was the unofficial start of summer for northsiders for 50 years. Eat Paint Studio, Emily Rapport’s storefront gallery, is just a block away from where Shelly’s operated until 2019. Indulge in some calorie-free nostalgia as you recreate Emily’s oil painting tribune to the beloved ice cream destination.
Got a craft beer nerd in your life? They’ll love this brewery-inspired puzzle from Jessica Licklider. Her first commercially-available work, Malt Row Tasting Notes celebrates the cornucopia of flavors you’ll find in locally-brewed beers. Known to locals as “Malt Row”, the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor and surrounding area has earned a reputation as “Chicago most diverse beer destination.” The proof is in the puzzle!
These 500 piece puzzle sets make for a perfect date night or family activity and look great when completed and displayed. Only 75 of each puzzle were made for this limited run. Proceeds from the Ravenswood Artist Puzzle Series support the GRCC, a non-profit organization devoted to serving neighborhood small businesses.
“We rely heavily on special events to fund our programs and outreach, so the loss of revenue from festivals like Ravenswood On Tap and Ravenswood ArtWalk has had a significant impact,” said GRCC Executive Director Megan Bunimovich. “We’re incredibly thankful to the local artists and small businesses that have gotten creative with us this year and helped fill the gaps.”
Cape Horn Illustration
Cape Horn Illustration is the Ravenswood-based studio of Phil Thompson and Katie Lauffenburger. They create artwork dedicated to architecture, history, and the city, with a special love for Chicago. Their work features classic home styles, icons of the city, ceramics work, and drawings and illustrated maps. You can learn more and shop online at www.capehorn-illustration.com.
Emily Rapport
“Inspired by the urban landscape of Chicago, I paint vacant lots, El tracks, neighborhood houses, fast food restaurants, and construction sites.” Emily Rapport is known for her expressive oil paintings of Chicago landscapes. Emily’s private studio practice has evolved to include a public-facing gallery where she exhibits work by emerging and mid-career artists as well as her own paintings. You can learn about the gallery at eatpaintstudio.com and see Emily’s work at emilyrapportcom.
Jessica Licklider
Jessica Licklider is an emerging graphic artist, proud Bowmanville resident, and drinker of fine, locally-brewed kettle sours. When not creating, Jessica oversees the planning and development of events and programs for the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, including the Ravenswood ArtWalk: Tour of Arts & Industry.
