True to the nature of artistry, Susan Hernandez, had a day that began with putting the finishing touches on a painting, packing it up for display just in time for her 12 noon show. Hernandez’s work was originally inspired by heartache as her oldest son was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, but has evolved into joy as he survived the ordeal (although it is on-going), and has since become the father of twins. One of the twins, Lennon, 8, was dancing her heart out at the opening which took place in a beautiful airy loft space next to the Rudolf Steiner Branch Library just South of Lincoln Square at 4251 N. Lincoln on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 12 noon until 8 pm. The event was graced by some of the most powerful artists alive in Chicago today.
Curated by Chiron Kingfish, who is the founder of Windy City Words, the art show featured paintings by Hernandez of John Lennon, Tupac, and Chiam Topol, (from Fiddler on the Roof.) With such an eclectic array of artists painted, it is no wonder it attracted such artistic powerhouses as iconic visual artist John A. Kurtz, Vittorio Carli, poetry host for Tangible Books in Bridgeport (7:00 pm on the first Saturday of the month), Wes Heine, poetry host of the Gallery Cabaret in Bucktown (5:30 pm on the last Saturday of the month), and the (anonymous) artist responsible for the Albion House Gallery (which boasts over 4,000 followers on Instagram).
Nuala Murphy proudly displays her seamstress skills with blinged-out jeans. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Wearable Art created by Nuala Murphy. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Nuala Murphy displayed her jeans on the blow up doll that was the source of much amusement as Hernandez shared a story about it. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
Nuala Murphy’s hand-embellished, sparkling denim outfits were also on display at the opening, and featured a blow up doll Hernandez claimed to have put in the bed of a priest. Hernandez’s hilarious stories, coupled with her sharply political poetry was on-point for the season all combined to create a memorable occasion for everyone who attended, including a few passers by who were lured in by the dazzling artistry combined with offers of free wine and food.
J.P. Hernandez, with his 8 year old twins and their mother, Rachel. Susan Hernandez’s son, J.P. is the reason Hernandez was led to art in the first place. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Artists and friends of Hernandez were in abundance at the event as they came for the art and enjoyed her company. 
Hernandez’s smiling face greets patrons of the arts as they enter the building on October 5, 2024. 
Artist Ernest Streeter regaled delighted art patrons with epic stories of skateboarding and high school daze. 
Megan Santiago is an artist who uses her skills at flower arranging to bring added flair to Hernandez’s art show. 
Megan Santiago, Susan Hernandez & Nuala Murphy. Here, Hernandez holds her painting of Chaim Topol, the actor known for his role in “Fiddler on the Roof.” (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Anonymous artist and Vittorio Carli enjoy laughter as artists and friends at Hernandez’s art show on October 5th, 2024. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Nuala Murphy and a friend enjoy looking at photos from the exhibit together. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The event culminated in Windy City Words, a poetry reading hosted by Chiron Kingfish, which featured Susan Hernandez, Nuala Murphy, Tim Anderson, Wes Heine, saxophonist Peter C. Bartels, and this narrator even performed. The next edition of Windy City Words is sure to delight and inspire on Saturday, November 16th at 7:00 pm, the place to be is 4251 N. Lincoln.
Susan Hernandez is a Renaissance woman who both paints and writes poetry. Here she is performing at Windy City Words, which wrapped up the art opening on October 5, 2024. 
Peter C. Bartels, a busker at Lincoln Park Zoo, performed a prelude for Windy City Words on October 5, 2024. 
Poet Tim Anderson and his wife patiently wait for the poetry reading portion of the event to begin. 
Wes Heine is the author of “Busking Blues: Memoirs of a Chicago Street Musician and Squatter” and the host of the Gallery Cabaret at 2020 N. Oakley in Chicago which happens on the last Saturday of the month at 5:30 pm. 
Neuela Murphy sports wearable art she created herself while reading poetry. 
Wayne Kusy is one of the world-class artists in attendance at the event. He created toothpick ships, and a rock band entitled Wood Zeppelin – check it out at http://www.WoodZeppelin.com.
Poetry in Chicago 