Supporting Illinois' Arts Sector

The Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) stands as Chicago’s longest-running Latino cultural center, founded in 1971 to honor Puerto Rican patriot Segundo Ruiz Belvis. As a multidisciplinary arts organization, SRBCC is dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural expressions of Puerto Rico and Latin America, emphasizing their African heritage. Over the decades, it has become a vital cultural anchor in Chicago, particularly for Puerto Rican, Latino, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Latino communities on the city’s West and Northwest Sides. Through music, dance, theater, and more, SRBCC fosters artistic excellence and intercultural understanding, providing a platform for historically underrepresented artists and communities.

This October, SRBCC is hosting a lineup of events that showcase its rich programming. On October 16, La Cantera, the center's Afro-Caribbean jazz ensemble, will perform at The California Clipper, presenting a fresh and energetic set alongside guest artists. The Afrodjia Social Club, featuring DJ Sadie Woods, will offer an immersive deejay performance and pop-up supper club on October 24 at SRBCC. Closing the month, the Barrio Bugalú “Brujería” Edition on October 30 promises an all-ages salsa party with a $500 prize for the best costume. These events perfectly capture SRBCC's dedication to engaging the community through lively and diverse cultural experiences.

Executive Director Omar Torres-Kortright emphasizes the importance of community and artistic development, stating, “The Illinois Arts Council’s support helps us keep SRBCC open as a home for artistic possibility. Professional artists bring ambitious ideas into our space, emerging musicians develop their voices through La Cantera, and visiting artists can deepen their work through La Resi. Across disciplines, we’re committed to giving artists the support to make new work and share it with our community.” His words highlight SRBCC's pivotal role in nurturing creativity and providing a welcoming environment for artists to flourish.

Nestled within the western gateway of the Shawnee National Forest, lives artist Mel Watkin. Her work has been showcased nationally, with solo exhibitions at the Franklin Furnace Archives in New York and the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, among others. Watkin holds a BA from Bennington College and an MFA from the University of Montana. Her art often focuses on environmental themes, and she has been recognized with numerous grants and residencies, including a recent Franklin Furnace/Xeno Prize and an FY22 Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship.

Mel received an FY26 CPG grant for her newly released Notebook of Notes, which consists of 66 individual drawings and texts spread across 143 pages, focusing on environmental issues through sketches and quotes from various media. She is working on a new series titled Beauty is a Beast, which explores the impact of invasive plant species accelerated by climate change. These drawings are completed on handmade paper pulped from old bank statements, demonstrating her commitment to reusing materials with historical significance. Watkin is also participating in the Not Just Another Pretty Face triennial exhibition at the Hyde Park Art Center, which opens on December 11. Her drawings, influenced by the Shawnee National Forest, are also currently on display at the Alto Pass Vineyard through December 30.

Reflecting on the support provided by the Illinois Arts Council, Mel shares, “The importance of IAC support for artists and arts organizations can't be underestimated, especially in my rural area. I live 5 1/2 hours south of Chicago—almost in Kentucky—surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest. Notebook of Notes, a major artist’s book, years in the making, would never have happened without IAC funding."