William Estrada
2019-2020 Artist as Instigator William Estrada
William Estrada’s teaching and art making practice focus on addressing inequity, migration, history and culture in marginalized communities. He documents and engages experiences in public spaces to transform, question, and make connections to established and organic systems through discussion, creation, and amplification of stories through creativity already present. He is currently a faculty member at the UIC School of Art and Art History and a Teaching Artist at Telpochcalli Elementary School.
Just Housing Initiative
For his 2019-2020 residency, William utilized his art and community organizing skills to support and amplify the Just Housing Initiative campaign through design and text. As an extension of his Radical Print shop, he utilized his practice of developing a community-driven and culturally relevant visual identity for the campaign, supporting organizers in collectively imagining and sharing pathways to a more just future of housing.
The Just Housing Amendment was ultimately passed in January 2020 and now helps to ensure that people with records have equal access to housing opportunities in Cook County. Campaign organizers credit NPHM and William for critical support provided through this residency.
Empowerment Through Making
As a part of the Museum’s Empowerment Hub (also known as the E-Hub, formerly known as the Entrepreneurship Hub) William and the Museum collaborated with cultural partners such as Mikva Challenge and the Smart Museum of Art Teen Program to recruit youth from Chicago Housing Authority to learn design and screen printing skills through hands-on workshops. As part of this initiative, 20 young creatives designed and hand printed t-shirts and tote bags that were sold through the museum’s pilot co-op store.
Corner Store Co-Op
Corner Store Co-op amplifies the entrepreneurial history of public housing and supports small businesses and cooperatives owned by public housing residents to promote economic equity.
