“Re-Imagining Pharos – The Greektown Lighthouse Display”
The Greektown SSA #16 is excited to present a new community art project that is titled “Re-Imagining Pharos – The Greektown Lighthouse Display.” The lighthouses (pharos) around Greece are enchanting and, in past times, brought news of safe harbor to ships and sailors. These concepts provided the inspiration for bringing the lighthouses to Greektown. Here, along Halsted Street, you will find 16 lighthouse sculptures that showcase the high creativity of both local professional artists and young school children.
Lighthouses are a significant part of Greek history. Pharos of Alexandria was a lighthouse built during the reign of Ptolemy I and II. Construction took twelve years to complete, and it has served as a prototype for all lighthouses in the world. Pharos, a small island, was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE and the lighthouse is estimated to have stood an impressive 330 feet tall. After being badly damaged by three earthquakes between 956 and 1323 CE, it became an abandoned ruin. The lighthouse partially survived until 1480, when the last of its stones were used to build the Citadel of Qaitbay. In 1994, French and Greek archaeologists discovered some of its remains on the floor of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor.
So, come to Chicago’s Greektown to celebrate Greek heritage and delight in these beautiful, vibrant and inspired artworks!
Our exhibiting artists are listed below:
- Dino Crisanti & Mark Crisanti
- Tyrue “Slang” Jones
- Kathleen King
- Victoria Martin
- Tracy Ostmann Haschke
- Terry Poulos
- Vicky Tesmer
- Michael Thompson
- Diane Thodos
- Vasiliki Valkanas
- Rebecca Zaragoza
- Students from Pythagoras Greek School (Des Plaines)
- Students from Solon Greek School
- Students from Guardian Angel Orthodox Day School
- Students from St. George Hellenic School
