As a community art project, This is North Chicago showcases the pride and fellowship so many North Chicagoans share, and also their challenges and triumphs.
Like squares on a patchwork quilt, This Is North Chicago stitches together a collection of individual voices into a unique and authentic reflection of a community that may not be found anywhere else.
This Is North Chicago recognizes and appreciates every contributor, no matter where you’re from or how long you’ve made North Chicago your home.
Incorporated as a village in 1895 and known as South Waukegan until 1901, North Chicago, Illinois is located 35 miles north of the city of Chicago. Close to Lake Michigan, the community is home to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and grew in the early and mid 1900s as a thriving business hub and center of manufacturing.
Clint Smith is a photographer, writer, and graphic designer who has been meeting and taking photographs of strangers for 30 years. Smith is the originator of People Of Rogers Park, a year-long project documenting the residents Chicago’s most diverse neighborhood.
“When a community’s many voices are given equal opportunity to be heard as individuals but also collectively, it provides a unique perspective on a place that may not be accomplished otherwise. I hope that anyone who chooses to interact with this project will discover the joy asking and listening, but most importantly– seeing others in ourselves.”
Maria Fernandez is currently a student at Lake Forest College, pursuing degrees in sociology and anthropology. Fluent in English and Spanish, Maria graduated from North Chicago Community High School in 2019 and then received an Associate of Arts degree from College of Lake County, where she was a peer mentor and active member of the Latino Alliance and Student Government Association.
About living in North Chicago, Maria says: "Even though I was not born here, I was still raised here. I feel like I've been here since I was born. I feel that here is where God has blessed me the most. By people. And school. And friends."
Gilberto Torres is a graduate of North Chicago High School and College of Lake County. Gil recently served as Assistant Coordinator for Warhawk Summer Up!, a program sponsored by the City of North Chicago that connects the community’s youth with summer camps and paid internships.
”After the isolation of the pandemic, being in a position where I’m working with young people and out in the community has been like a rehabilitation. It makes the world just a little bit bigger."
This Is North Chicago gratefully acknowledges the North Chicago Public Library and the Steans Family Foundation for providing welcoming spaces to meet and collaborate with the North Chicago community.