The Happening: Celebrating Bob Thompson

Saturday, May 14, 2022 12 – 10 pm

The University of Chicago
5550 S. Greenwood
Chicago, IL 60637

Browse the schedule 

FREE, open to all. Events and activities will happen throughout the day. Please let us know if you plan to attend by registering in advance.

Join the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum of Art as we mark the end of the exhibition Bob Thompson: This House is Mine with a day-long series of live experiences created by artists, students, community partners, and educators. Share in the artmaking, enjoy live music, talks, and so much more happening throughout the day, inside the galleries and outdoors in the sculpture garden.

Full schedule now available, including:

Live music & Performances: Ari Brown • Avreeayl Ra • Ben Lamar Gay • David Boykin • Fifth House Ensemble • Lional “Brother El” Freeman • Marvin Tate • Nick Mazzarella & Dana Hall • Richardson Middle School

Participatory Experiences: Alberto Aguilar & Alex Bradley Cohen • Tin-type photobooth with Max Li • Tattoos by Aidan Frierson, Baby, and Nani Nathan • Caricatures by Lothar Speer • Build-a-bird family art activities • Figure drawing • Free Life for Bob Thompson, by Arnold J. Kemp

Tours, Talks, & Readings: Storytime with Elizabeth Hereford • Poetry with Metropolitan Tenants Organization • History of Happenings talk by Professor Nicole Woods • Tours led by Smart Museum Educators • Virtual appearance by Sonny Rollins

Campus Creativity: Catcher in the Rhyme • Choreographing the Smart: Enter the House • Dirt Red Brass Band • Groove Theory • Lullaby Project • Sarah Brailey • Underground Collective