HYDE PARK — A Hyde Park grocery store is offering affordable art alongside its selection of organic produce and farm-raised meats.
“Community-based art shows are a passion of mine,” said Sean Nicholson, who has organized four months of art openings at Open Produce, 1635 E. 55th St.
On Sunday, Fanta Celah was hanging two-dozen paintings and photographs from her travels in Africa and India.
“Every night I’m painting, at every beautiful landmark I have my canvas with me,” Celah said.
Above the tortilla chips, the South Loop artist hung photos from her recent trip to Ethiopia, where she has a shop to sell her jewelry and art.
“People have their own views of Africa,” Celah said. “I’m able to show what these places are really like.”
The grocery store will host an opening reception Monday and Celah’s art will be for sale in the store for $20 to $75 through the end of June.
On Aug. 2, the neighborhood market will welcome a new artist.
Nicholson she wants to incorporate art into the way the store sells its fruit and vegetables. She said she’s excited to install Hyde Park cabinetmaker Shawn Greene’s work.
“Instead of cardboard boxes to put our water bottles on, we’ll have a beautiful side table — until someone buys it,” Nicholson said.
She said she has booked artists through October, but is talking to Hyde Park galleries and artists to find ceramics to sell kale and mushrooms from at a future exhibit.
Celah will be at the opening tonight and will be singing with Phil Cohran, trumpet player from the Sun Ra Arkestra, at 4 p.m. July 13 at Hyde Park Records, 1377 E. 53rd St.
