In this morning’s Chicago Tribune, Laura Washington wrote a tribute to Ida B. Wells and Richard Hunt, the Chicago sculptor commissioned to honor Wells. This article alerted me to a screening of a film about these two remarkable black artists. Thanks to this splendid article, I plan to attend the screening on Wednesday, February 28 at the Epiphany of the Arts Center and recommend it as an opportunity to celebrate these two important Chicagoans.

Like Ms. Washington, I was privileged to know Richard Hunt, “an unassuming, soft-spoken legend” as she aptly described him. His Lill Street studio, a former L train repair center rigged with heavy duty lifts, a perfect place for an artist creating multi-ton works of art, was near our home.

When Joan Mondale, the Vice President’s wife known as Joan of Art for her work promoting public art and artists, came to Chicago, Richard opened his studio to her, describing some of his technique, a special moment. I hope the film will include some views of Richard at work. Look around Chicago for Hunt’s work. He used his skill with generosity to honor those he admired. One of Richard’s sculptures will grace the Obama Presidential Center on the center’s completion. Happily, his statue, Quest for Peace, welcomes visitors to the Adlai Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.

Film honors the truths illuminated by Chicagoans Ida B. Wells and Richard Hunt, The Chicago Tribune