The CornerStore

The Cornerstore spoke with Monique Meloche about The Monique Meloche Gallery and the practices they plan to continue post-pandemic; the strength of the contemporary art market; and much more.

The Cornerstore spoke with Demetrius Amparan about his latest project, “Surveillance Alert”, and all of the works he’s recently dropped including music videos for “Real” + “Say Something”. Demetrius also talks about being a girl-dad; the recent loss of his father, Edward, and The Edward Amparan “DREAM REAL BIG” Essay Contest that is launching in […]

The Cornerstore spoke with Author Kathy Iandoli about continuously ensuring women are at the center of her writings; writing the definitive biography of Aaliyah titled “Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah”; and shares stories about the early beginnings of her career.

The Cornerstore spoke with Mixed-Media Artist Chris Silva about the many disciplines he specializes in; the importance of the graffiti and skateboard scenes in his creation process throughout the years; and the constant goal of keeping art adventurous.

The Cornerstore spoke with Brittney Carter about her debut album “As I Am” and the importance of collaboration throughout it, being a part of the Loop Theory collective, this year in music, and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Vic Lloyd about staying busy during quarantine and picking up new activities, the formation of Fat Tiger Workshop and being 1 of the 4 Fat Tigers, continuously inventing and reinventing himself, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Atlas about expanding beyond graffiti and transitioning into the fine art side, his life beyond the art, and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with President & CEO of Delmark Records, Julia Miller, about the history of Delmark Records, her journey through music and her love for the guitar, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Myron Laban about his solo exhibition “Sitting With My Thoughts” at the Elephant Room Gallery & the constant growth/expansion of his craft, actively working as a formerly trained pharmacist, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Naira about stepping “out of her shell”; her experiences with supporting and organizing protests; the creation of BLCK RISING and the crucial work they’ve been doing all summer; and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Delilah Martinez about all of the work she’s been doing throughout the entirety of the stay-at-home order including volunteer work, finding innovative ways to support the Black Lives Matter Movement, and more. Delilah sheds light as to how the Mural Movement came about; the importance of hiring the youth so they’re […]

The Cornerstore spoke with Organizer and Community Architect Mashaun Ali about the restorative justice based street-wear brand & boutique Trap House Chicago, Feed 79th initiative, and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Bianca and Raniya of VLA #ChangeTheName about their ongoing efforts to change the name of Douglas Park to honor Frederick & Anna-Murray Douglass instead of Stephen Douglas. Bianca walks us through the process of getting the name change completed; shares how this campaign came about; and more. Stay connected with The […]

The Cornerstore spoke with TJ & Drew The Barber of No Cuts x No Glory Barber Shop about how they began working together, the on-going importance of the barbershop and what it means for the culture, the type of environment they aim to have in their space, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! […]

The Cornerstore spoke with Alan Ket, Co-Founder of the Museum of Graffiti, about the museum and it’s dedication to the graffiti art form. Alan also talks about the significance of the museum’s location in Wynwood, his personal evolution as an artist, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download […]

The Cornerstore spoke with contemporary jeweler Georgina Trevino about the power of social media with endless possibilities for collaboration, constantly changing and evolving as an artist, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Chicago Reader Publisher and Hall of Famer, Tracy Baim, about the never-ending desire to be a journalist and covering queer stories/news the right way, what the future holds for the Chicago Reader, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Henry Chalfant about documenting hip-hop as a cultural form, the creation of Style Wars, advocating for hip-hop culture/the youth, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Liz Flores about the use of cubism and geometry throughout her work; the power of social media in art; and the relationship between being a business owner and an artist. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Columbia College Chicago Film Professor Michael Caplan about the Premiere of his Nelson Algren documentary on WTTW, the journey of entering the creative world and finding true fulfillment in the arts, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Artist and Designer, Tubsz, about style-writing, blending the practices of graffiti and calligraphy, his work with the Mural Movement in efforts to bring the Black and Brown communities together, and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Writer & Editor Maya Schenwar about her work with Truthout, what it means to defund the police, coming into abolitionist work, how non-black people can be better allies, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Chicago Hip-Hop Couple CoolOut Chris and Amina about Urbanized Music, being Hip-Hop parents during this time, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Emily Jungmin Yoon about life in Hawaii, studying Korean poetry, the journey of becoming a writer, A Cruelty Special to Our Species, and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Jahmal Cole, CEO & Founder of My Block My Hood My City about learning from other activists about criminal justice reform during this time, being a self-published author, working on behalf of the community, and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via […]

The Cornerstore spoke with Sir Charles about the recent protests and his role in his community, the importance of the messages in his work, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with Liz Abunaw, Owner and Operator of The Forty Acres Fresh Market, about the work the organization is doing, the importance of reaching disadvantaged neighborhoods, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with DJ Step about the process of developing his own musical taste and the importance of sports in his upbringing; learning the ins and outs of DJing; the importance of continuing to get fits off even during quaratine; navigating the virtual space DJ scene; and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! […]

The Cornerstore spoke with William Camargo about growing up around Disneyland, photojournalism as a way to travel and get to know people, and his ever-growing ability to document history/taking images as a means of re-remembering. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with WGN’s own Rick Kogan about the beginnings of his journalism/broadcasting career, formidable experiences in the UK, and documenting notable characters of Chicago, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and download episodes via Spotify and Apple!

The Cornerstore spoke with José Olivarez & Willie Perdomo, 2 editors of The Breakbeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNext, about their current experience with releasing this new anthology into the world right now. José & Willie also express what kind of conversations they hope this book will cause; what it was like working so closely together; […]

The Cornerstore spoke with visual artist Yvette Mayorga, about the shift she’s experienced with her creation process during the stay-at-home order. Yvette also touches on her various techniques and use of different color pallets throughout her work, using her art to bring awareness to complexities and intersectionalities, and more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! […]

The Cornerstore spoke with writer and visual artist, Krista Franklin, about her experience thus far during this quarantine and her relationship with time. Krista also shares details about her latest book, Too Much Midnight,; her love for science fiction and Afrofuturism; and much more. Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud! You can also access and […]

This week the Cornerstore spoke with Bambi Banks-Couleé & Khloe Park, 2 of the 4 founders of Unfriendly Black Hotties. Bambi and Khloe share the history of Unfriendly Black Hotties, the transition to holding virtual drag shows, the importance of confidence and sisterhood in drag, and much more. The Unfriendly Black Hotties host a monthly […]

As we continue our quarantine interviews, Kevin speaks with Kristen Kaza (Party Producer and Community Enthusiast) about her continuous efforts to host cultural events within the virtual world. Kristen talks about making the monthly SloMo Party, typically hosted at The Whistler, into a virtual party that has now honed the name SloMo From Homo; the […]

As we continue to practice safe quarantine procedures, Kevin spoke with Alex, Community Organizer for Chicago Votes, via a virtual call to learn more about how she and other organizers are handling the transition into virtual conversation in order to complete their work. Alex also talks advocating for incarcerated individuals amidst this pandemic, the work […]

On this episode, Kevin Coval and Mercedes Zapata talk with Max The Snacktor as he shares insight into his upbringing in LA; his visual artistry and being the co-founder of Chicago Sleepers; working with Young Chicago Authors and the various shows he’s curated; and much more. Max is leaving Chicago to return back home to […]

In a special live edition of the Cornerstore, authors Raych Jackson and Idris Goodwin read from and speak about their new books, “Even the Saints Audition” & “Can I Kick It.” Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud!

This week the Cornerstore spoke with David Heo about growing up as an Asian American in the south, how he truly feels about his arts education, his solo show at Vertical Gallery “Honey & Smoke” on display now and more!   Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud!

This week the Cornerstore spoke with Kirsten Valentine about her work experience from wine to the art world, her intriguing process of subject selection, where you will be able to find her work next and more.   Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud!  

This week the Cornerstore spoke with dancer and educator Tanji Harper about her early life and early professional experience, her work with Blu Rhythm Chicago and her experiences and incredible work as the Artistic Director of The Happiness Club for the past 20 years.   Stay connected with The Cornerstore on Twitter, Instagram,and Soundcloud!

In a special live edition at @fieldhousejones , the Cornerstore spoke with Ahmed Taofik @ahmed5ebd , founder of EBD basketball camp @ebd_africa in Benin, Africa, Shala @followshala , solar artist creating solar power murals, structures and more, & Daniel Poneman @danielponeman , former scout now agent and responsible for hundreds of students receiving college scholarships […]