WHEN TO GO
Loading…
United StatesSaved
Brother El’s monthly open studio invites visitors to share a memory, perspective or conversation—or simply listen—as an oral-story archive takes shape at Ellis Park.
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
Brother El’s open studio starts with listening: to people and to the place they know. As the Chicago Park District’s Anchor Curatorial Resident, he records oral stories from Ellis Park and neighborhood participants, inviting visitors to contribute to a community archive in progress.
The invitation is broad: bring a story, a memory or a perspective, or take part in a conversation. Listening is welcome, too. That makes the studio a way to encounter oral-history work while it is being made, with neighborhood participants contributing to the record rather than only hearing a finished account.
The Park District describes the project as a living neighborhood archive that looks to the area’s past and present as well as what may come next. For anyone considering sharing, one practical question remains: the listing confirms that Brother El records oral stories but does not explain the recording method or how contributions will be kept or shared.
Further reading: Anchor Open Studio Hours at Ellis | Chicago Park District ↗
The park takes its name from Samuel Ellis, who arrived in Chicago in 1831 and donated a wedge-shaped parcel of his South Side land for public use in 1855. After the Special Park Commission reclaimed parts of the grounds that adjacent property owners had encroached on, landscape architect Jens Jensen redesigned the original three-acre park in 1906. Ellis Park now covers 12.9 acres in the Douglas Community.
The park’s arts setting has a more recent chapter: its Arts and Recreation Center opened in 2016 and includes multipurpose arts and community spaces. But the event listing names Ellis Park, not the center or a specific room. The center’s presence at the park is useful context, not confirmation of where this session will meet.
Further reading: Ellis (Samuel) Park ↗ · Ellis Arts and Recreation Center ↗ · Anchor Open Studio Hours at Ellis | Chicago Park District ↗
The listed activity is Brother El facilitating the studio, listening and recording oral stories. Visitors can contribute a story, memory, perspective or conversation, or come to listen; the published program does not list separate timed segments or performances.
The open studio is listed for 1:00–3:00 p.m.
The listed event fee is $0.00. The session is described as family-friendly and open to all ages.
The event address is 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60653. The Park District also lists the Arts and Recreation Center at that address, but the event listing does not say that the session is inside the center or identify a room.
Anchor Open Studio Hours at Ellis | Chicago Park District ↗ · Ellis (Samuel) Park ↗ · Ellis Arts and Recreation Center ↗
Visitors are invited to share or listen, but the event listing does not say whether advance reservations are required or whether participation is drop-in. If that affects your plans, confirm with the organizer before setting out.
The description says the studio opens monthly. A separate Park District listing for November 18, 2026, gives hours of 6:00–7:00 p.m.; the December session runs 1:00–3:00 p.m. These dates do not establish fixed hours or a complete series schedule.
Anchor Open Studio Hours at Ellis | Chicago Park District ↗ · Anchor Open Studio Hours at Ellis | Chicago Park District ↗
The Park District lists Ellis Park hours as 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. daily.
The confirmed destination is Ellis (Samuel) Park, 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60653. The listing does not identify a particular entrance or room. The Park District directs public-transit users to CTA for directions but does not list an event-specific route; the map links can calculate directions from your starting point. No event-specific parking details are provided.
Anchor Open Studio Hours at Ellis | Chicago Park District ↗ · Ellis (Samuel) Park ↗
The Park District’s general guidance says reasonable accommodations may be requested at [email protected] or (312) 742-4298. It asks for at least one week’s notice; requests for sign-language interpreters require at least 72 hours. The event listing does not describe access at the specific room or entrance, which has not been identified.
Disability Policy Office | Chicago Park District ↗ · Anchor Open Studio Hours at Ellis | Chicago Park District ↗
Yes. The invitation includes coming to listen, as well as sharing a story, memory, perspective or conversation.
The event listing does not say whether reservations are required or whether attendance is drop-in. Confirm with the organizer if you need to know before going.
The listing says Brother El records oral stories for a neighborhood archive, but does not specify the recording method or how the material will be preserved or shared. Ask the organizer about those details before contributing if they matter to you.
3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60653
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-03 against the linked sources.