Our mission is to provide resources and support for the local Asian American community, and increase the visibility and representation of the Asian American diaspora in civic, cultural and community spaces through the arts.
IN THE
ABSENCE OF
SPACE
CLAIM, CREATE, CONNECT
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GROVE GALLERY | 619 GROVE ST. EVANSTON
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EXHIBIT DATES | MAY 30 - JUNE 28 2026
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ARTISTS' RECEPTION | JUNE 6, 2026, 4-6PM
In the Absence of Space is presented by Evanston ASPA, Evanston Latinos, Aloha Center Chicago, Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum, Shorefront Legacy Center & Evanston Made
PROGRAMS
May 30, 2026 | 12-5pm
Exhibit Opens
Check out the exhibit when you visit the Umbrella Arts Festival. The gallery is just around the corner! (learn more about the festival)
May 31, 2026 | 11am-4:30pm
Northwestern Student AAPI Summit
Join us for a student-run discussion series that examines a wide range of experiences among the Asian American community in Evanston and Chicago.
June 6, 2026 | 4-6pm
Artists' Reception
Celebrate the artwork and meet the artists!
June 20, 2026 | 12:30-2:30pm
Sun Catcher Making Workshop
Join us for a fun crafting workshop with artist June Ahleman. Scroll down for more details.
Workshop is free but registration is required due to limited space.
Register HERE
June 20, 2026 | 3-5pm
Community Binding: Book Making Workshop
Learn about the Community Binding project and learn how to make books with artist Regin Igloria. Scroll down for more details.
Workshop is free but registration is required due to limited space.
Register HERE
More coming soon...
Community Binding Book Making
Workshop with Regin Igloria
Saturday, June 20, 2026
3-5pm
Grove Gallery
619 Grove St. Evanston, IL
Take part in a free, collaborative bookbinding project! Open to all levels. Learn new skills and come away with a pamphlet stitch book.
Regin Igloria, visual artist and founder and director of North Branch Projects (NBP), has been leading Community Binding workshops throughout the Chicagoland area (and beyond) since 2010. These monthly workshops introduce bookbinding skills and techniques to participants in a collaborative setting. Various binding techniques are covered, including variations on hand-sewn pamphlets and zines. Prompts are incorporated in the process to build content within the books, and instructional handouts and samples are shared, offering expanded resources to explore the medium beyond the work session.
In Community Binding Sessions, participants produce at least two sets of books. One book is contributed to an ongoing community project called The Neighborhood Archive and the second book they take home with them for personal use. All sessions are free of charge to participants.
Workshop is FREE but Registration is Required!
Paper Sun Catcher Making Workshop
with June Ahleman
Saturday, June 20, 2026
12:30-2:30pm
Grove Gallery
619 Grove St. Evanston, IL
Join us for a free paper sun catcher workshop. We'll gather at Grove Gallery to share stories and craft together surrounded by the inspirational artwork currently on display.
Participants will design and assemble their own paper sun catchers in a collaborative environment, drawing inspiration from a special place, memory, or story in their lives. Everyone will leave with a completed suncatcher to display at home.
All materials are provided!
No experience necessary!
All ages welcome! (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult)
Workshop is FREE but registration is required due to limited space.
Northwestern Student AAPI Summit
Join us for a student-run discussion series that examines a wide range of experiences among the Asian American community in Evanston and Chicago. The summit will open with conversation about how Asian American activists, artists, service workers, and youth create structural change (the TEAACH Act), build interpersonal and cross-racial relationships (storytelling), and support the most vulnerable in our communities (elderly and youth).
Schedule
11am-12:30pm | Stories of Solidarity: Immigration, Displacement and Resettlement
Guest Speaker: Jason Matsumoto, Co-Founder of Full Spectrum Features
Description:
This session features Jason Matsumoto, co-founder of Full Spectrum Features, who will highlight the power of storytelling in allyship and community-building. We invite you to share your stories of immigration and cross-racial solidarity and reflect on our shared lived experiences.
1-2:30pm | Exploring the TEAACH Act: From Passage to Implementation
Guest Speakers: Kiana Kenmotsu, IU Kelley School of Business Alum and Niles West HS Alum involved the passing of the TEAACH Act as a youth leader; Esther Hurh, Former Education and Professional Development Consultant for Asian Americans Advancing Justice and current consultant for schools and nonprofits on implementation of the TEAACH Act
Description:
This session will feature a panel where speakers Kiana Kenmotsu and Esther Hurh engage their perspectives on the passage and the implementation of Illinois’ Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act. The speakers will discuss their own motivations for passing the act, their organizing strategies, as well as the difficulties they faced to implement this monumental policy change.
3-4:30pm | Intergeneration Care for Immigrants: A Conversation with Hanul Family Alliance and Trellus
Guest Speaker: Irene Sohn, Executive Director of Hanul Family Alliance
Description:
Hear from Irene Sohn, Executive Director of nonprofit social service organization Hanul Family Alliance and Michelle Cronin of trellus as they discuss their experiences in providing care to vulnerable senior and youth communities across Chicagoland. This session features interactive discussions on the obstacles elderly and young immigrants face in navigating the American healthcare system and the nuances of intergenerational care.
