Evanston's Dittmar Gallery Hosts Community Art Exhibition 'I Was Here'

The show features 24 local artists exploring daily life and reclaiming cultural spaces.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A striking abstract composition of jagged geometric shapes in bold red and black, conceptually representing the reclamation of physical and cultural spaces through community art.The 'I Was Here' exhibition celebrates how community-driven art can redefine traditional spaces and expand the definition of art.Evanston Today

The Dittmar Memorial Gallery in Evanston, Illinois is hosting a community art exhibition titled 'I Was Here' from April 9 to May 3, 2026. Curated by Jasmine Ametovski and Clare Kirwan, the show encourages participants to redefine traditional art spaces by prioritizing their daily encounters over studio approaches. The diverse array of mediums on display includes sound pieces, video installations, and art made from beeswax.

Why it matters

The exhibition aims to move away from academic art traditions and instead take notice of elements encountered in day-to-day life, allowing artists to reclaim their identities, cultures, and physical spaces. The curators hope this will provide viewers the opportunity to learn something new by seeing the world through unique perspectives.

The details

The 'I Was Here' exhibition features work from 24 local artists who utilize creativity as a mechanism for navigating the world. The show focuses on reclaiming art practices, identities, and cultures that possess complex histories. The artists prioritize their daily encounters over traditional studio approaches to expand the general definition of art.

  • The exhibition runs from April 9 to May 3, 2026.
  • The Dittmar Memorial Gallery is located within the Norris University Center at 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208.

The players

Jasmine Ametovski

Co-curator of the 'I Was Here' exhibition.

Clare Kirwan

Co-curator of the 'I Was Here' exhibition.

Mark Jimenez

One of the featured artists in the 'I Was Here' exhibition.

Dittmar Memorial Gallery

The gallery hosting the 'I Was Here' community art exhibition in Evanston, Illinois.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are living in times where reclamation is essential to move forward as a community, keep each other safe and to create the world we want to live in. In times where it feels that we cannot rely on existing power structures to protect us, we need to resort to other methods and turn inwards towards ourselves and our community members.”

— Jasmine Ametovski, Co-curator

“Gallery and museum spaces can often feel exclusive.”

— Clare Kirwan, Co-curator

The takeaway

This community art exhibition provides a platform for local artists to reclaim their identities, cultures, and physical spaces through creative expression, moving away from traditional academic approaches to art and instead focusing on the elements encountered in daily life.