photojournalism

Kentay Varnell poses for a portrait as she sketches on her bed in her Chicago apartment on April 18, 2024. Varnell is a transwoman and artist, who expresses her identity through her art and spirituality. She wasn't always granted the opportunity to be herself, growing up against the status quo, and she continues to be the role model she needed when she was younger.

DJ MiMiDREAM shows off her rave ‘kandi’ as she showcases her set at Genre Fuck’s Happy Hour Tour on May 18, 2024. 'Kandi' are beaded bracelets that connect with other ravers to spread peace, love, unity, and respect.

DZ Riley’s saxophonist and lead singer step down from the stage to get up close and personal to the overjoyed crowd at Grant Slam in Jonquil Park in Chicago on May 18, 2024.

Andy Cordos, a Chicago college student poses with her pottery at Grant Slam in Jonquil Park in Chicago on May 18, 2024. They have been making pottery for 5 years, after discovering their love for it in a college course. The festival allowed students to enjoy themselves and vendors, like Cordos to showcase their work.

McGuigan Weatherspoon, a Chicago creative and student poses for a friend's camera at a rave at Space.01 on May 4, 2024. The rave was thrown by Nexus Groove Space, a collective DIY event space for locals working to liven up the party scene in Chicago and create a comforting environment for all. Weatherspoon is just one of the locals who participate in the scene, enjoying all it embarks.

Journey Turner, left, and Millie Adams, right, pose in excitement for the debut of their boutique at a Chicago 'Woman in Film' night on June 1, 2024. Which Witch Productions hosted the event to showcase small women/femme-owned businesses. Dolly Doll's House is a vintage clothing & styling boutique that sprouted from the minds of Turner and Adams after meeting in 2020.

DJ MiMiDREAM spins her set as partygoers watch and dance at Genre Fuck’s Hardcore Happy Tour on May 18, 2024. DJ MiMiDREAM was excited to show her set and party with other ravers.

Kentay Varnell, a Chicago resident, student, artist, and creator, draws an original character in her sketchbook in her apartment on April 18, 2024.

Kiya Dunigan, left, and Lauren Martin, right, talk and dance at a local party celebrating Black & Brown communities, thrown by a mutual friend in Chicago on May 31, 2024. The party created a safe space for music between BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities to be uplifted and creativity to flow.

Mariah Krzanowski, a model, stops for a picture as she walks her dog Sonny through Grant Park on April 14, 2024.

Festivalgoers kick and dance as DZ Riley performs their set at Grant Slam in Jonquil Park, Chicago on May 18, 2024. The student-run music festival was a chance for the surrounding community to celebrate independent music curators and performers, and to enjoy themselves.

Yasmeen Wilson, a Fashion Design student at Columbia College Chicago, accepts flowers from a loved one at the Fusion Fashion Show on April 29, 2024. The Fusion Fashion was a chance for student designers like Wilson to showcase their work for one last time as the semester ended.