Beyond Closure Screening and Walking Tour (June)

On the evening of Friday, June 27th, we gathered at the Overton Public Outdoor Plaza to host a screening of Beyond Closure. The documentary — a collaboration between On The Real and Borderless Studio — explores the history of the largest mass school closure in US history. By sharing the stories of Chicagoans who worked together to repurpose their schools, the film showcases what it looks like when communities can determine their own futures.

The event was a group effort all around, with partners AIA Chicago, CNU Midwest, and Strong Towns Chicago, who hosted a walking tour of Bronzeville prior to the viewing.

To broaden our perspectives, we were joined by three people who have contributed to Overton's transformation: Jade Foreman, who created our basketball art court; Juan Angel Chavez, the artist behind our community board; and Ghian Foreman, the Overton Center for Excellence owner.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for this special event! If you couldn't make it or you want to share with a friend, you can find future screenings of Beyond Closure here. Follow us on IG @creativegrounds_chicago or sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

The Overton Exchange POP is brought to you by the City of Chicago’s Public Outdoor Plaza (POP!) program, designed to create strategic community gathering spaces that serve as destination points for residents and neighborhood visitors.