Arts-Based Community Development Convening
Transforming Post-Industrial Cities through Art and Innovation
April 12 through 14, 2012 - St. Louis

Juan William Chavez

St. Louis, Missouri

juanw chavez

Juan William Chavez (born in Lima, Peru) is an artist and cultural activist whose studio practice focuses on the potential of space by developing creative initiatives that address community and cultural issues.  He has exhibited at venues such as Art in General, Contemporary Art Museum Saint Louis, White Flag Projects and Van Abbenmuseum.  From 2006-2010, Chavez founded and served as director for Boots Contemporary Art Space, a non-profit organization that supported emerging artists and curators.  Since 2010, Chavez has focused on public projects in North St. Louis. Such projects include Urban Expression for the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, the Northside Workshop and the Pruitt-Igoe Bee Sanctuary.  In 2011, he was awarded the Art Matters Grant, the Missouri Arts Award, and nominated for the United States Artists fellowship.  Chavez has a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Presentation(s):

Art & Architecture as Catalyst – Livability and Sustainability

Day 2 / Apr, 13 @ 4:15 pm
Lower Level : Room D

This panel discusses art and architecture as catalysts not only to economic development, but to quality of life, sustainability, and livability.

Socially Engaged Art and Revitalization

Day 2 / Apr, 13 @ 1:30 pm
Lower Level : Room A

Sean Thomas and Juan William Chávez will discuss their collaboration transforming a historic brick building into an art space that is dedicated to cultural and community issues in North Saint Louis. This conversation will focus on the benefits and challenges of incorporating socially engaged art and revitalization with a shared goal to aid in the redevelopment of a community.

Sean Thomas, Executive Director of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group

Juan William Chávez, artist, cultural activist and founder of the Northside Workshop