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An artist’s utopia: Chicago’s Fine Arts Building

Published on

September 29, 2023

By Brian Cassella

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The Fine Arts Building, at 410 S. Michigan Ave., low on a street of tall, light on a block of heavy, peeks out between Auditorium Theatre and the Chicago Club, an afterthought of a 160-foot stretch from Van Buren Street to Ida B. Wells Drive. The Fine Arts Building is a place out of time, 10 stories of tenants who, in many ways, do not hew cleanly to 21st century Chicago. Yet the Fine Arts Building is also the start of contemporary Chicago. It is civic wallpaper and from the street, no longer as spectacular as when it was built in the late 1880s; yet, more than a century later, the mix of people who rent its studios remains nearly the same as 1889. Then: dollhouse-makers. Now: puppet theater companies. Then: singing lessons. Now: singing lessons. “The Goldberg Variations” waft through walls. As does a two-minute speech from “A Streetcar Named Desire.” And ripples of synthesizer.

Theatergoers step out onto South Michigan Avenue after a performance of "The Color Purple" in the Studebaker Theater on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Theatergoers step out onto South Michigan Avenue after a performance of “The Color Purple” in the Studebaker Theater on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bill Lee stands inside his workshop space where his company, William Harris Lee & Co., has built custom stringed instruments since 1978 at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. — Bill Lee stands inside his workshop space where his company, William Harris Lee & Co., has built custom stringed instruments since 1978 at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Derrick Bounds, a musician, producer and composer, sits at the piano in his practice studio space where he also collects antiques on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Derrick Bounds, a musician, producer and composer, sits at the piano in his practice studio space where he also collects antiques on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

The Fine Arts Building at 410 S. Michigan Ave. faces Grant Park on Sept. 13, 2023. — The Fine Arts Building at 410 S. Michigan Ave. faces Grant Park on Sept. 13, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

School of the Art Institute of Chicago students Sophia Tarducci and Ethan Allen construct an animal for the International Puppet Theater Festival in the outdoor Venetian Court on the fourth floor on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — School of the Art Institute of Chicago students Sophia Tarducci and Ethan Allen construct an animal for the International Puppet Theater Festival in the outdoor Venetian Court on the fourth floor on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Shakta Kaur of Kundalini Yoga in the Loop sits in the fifth-floor studio where she has taught for 20 years on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Shakta Kaur of Kundalini Yoga in the Loop sits in the fifth-floor studio where she has taught for 20 years on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

A tour group views the murals in the 10th-floor atrium on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — A tour group views the murals in the 10th-floor atrium on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Yulia Lipmanovich practices the piano in her studio space with a view of Buckingham Fountain and Lake Michigan on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Yulia Lipmanovich practices the piano in her studio space with a view of Buckingham Fountain and Lake Michigan on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra carry instruments to rehearsal in their eighth-floor space on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra carry instruments to rehearsal in their eighth-floor space on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Kristin Enola Gilbert shelves books at her second-floor store Exile in Bookville on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Kristin Enola Gilbert shelves books at her second-floor store Exile in Bookville on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Jessica Mays practices a dance with her husband, Francisco Diaz, before a competition in her Windy City Wedding Dance studio where she has taught for 10 years on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Jessica Mays practices a dance with her husband, Francisco Diaz, before a competition in her Windy City Wedding Dance studio where she has taught for 10 years on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Ion Balu repairs a French horn in his Balu Musik space on the mezzanine level at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 28, 2023. — Ion Balu repairs a French horn in his Balu Musik space on the mezzanine level at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 28, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Tom Peterson repairs a flute in his studio at the Flute Asylum at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 14, 2023. — Tom Peterson repairs a flute in his studio at the Flute Asylum at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Elevator operators move tenants and instruments between floors on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Elevator operators move tenants and instruments between floors on Sept. 28, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Stanley Smith of Oak Street Design sits in his studio space where he stores materials used to create custom displays for clients on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Stanley Smith of Oak Street Design sits in his studio space where he stores materials used to create custom displays for clients on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Wei Ding practices the piano under the tutelage of Richard Heiberger in the studio where he has taught for 48 years at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 27, 2023. — Wei Ding practices the piano under the tutelage of Richard Heiberger in the studio where he has taught for 48 years at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 27, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Mark Dulin practices his trumpet inside an empty studio space with a view toward Lake Michigan as the sun sets at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 14, 2023. — Mark Dulin practices his trumpet inside an empty studio space with a view toward Lake Michigan as the sun sets at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

John Becker repairs a violin in his 10th-floor studio that was once home to Frank Lloyd Wright on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — John Becker repairs a violin in his 10th-floor studio that was once home to Frank Lloyd Wright on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

The audience applauds during a taping of NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” in the historic Studebaker Theater on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. The radio news quiz show moved into the building last year. — The audience applauds during a taping of NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” in the historic Studebaker Theater on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. The radio news quiz show moved into the building last year. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Theatergoers depart through the lobby after a performance of The Color Purple in the Studebaker Theater on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Theatergoers depart through the lobby after a performance of The Color Purple in the Studebaker Theater on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Artist Ann Pickett, a newer arrival to the building, paints in her sixth-floor studio with a view to the courtyard on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Artist Ann Pickett, a newer arrival to the building, paints in her sixth-floor studio with a view to the courtyard on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Builders construct custom stringed instruments at William Harris Lee & Co. on at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. — Builders construct custom stringed instruments at William Harris Lee & Co. on at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Elevator operator Johnson Lori moves the car between floors on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Elevator operator Johnson Lori moves the car between floors on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

A clock sits above the elevator bank surrounded by cabling on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra pack up after rehearsal in their eighth-floor space on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Members of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra pack up after rehearsal in their eighth-floor space on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Larry K. Snider, a retired attorney turned photographer, stands inside his studio space where he also collects taxidermy and other objects at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 14, 2023. — Larry K. Snider, a retired attorney turned photographer, stands inside his studio space where he also collects taxidermy and other objects at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Theatergoers depart after a performance of "The Color Purple" in the Studebaker Theater on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Theatergoers depart after a performance of “The Color Purple” in the Studebaker Theater on Oct. 1, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Documentary filmmaker Ade Abioye sits his studio space on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Documentary filmmaker Ade Abioye sits his studio space on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Performers Music on the ninth floor features a unique leaded glass storefront at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. — Performers Music on the ninth floor features a unique leaded glass storefront at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Lee Newcomer sits in the aisles of his store, Performers Music, which sells sheet music on the ninth floor at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. — Lee Newcomer sits in the aisles of his store, Performers Music, which sells sheet music on the ninth floor at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Frank J. Rumoro sits in his jazz guitar studio where he’s been a tenant in multiple spaces since 1976 on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Frank J. Rumoro sits in his jazz guitar studio where he’s been a tenant in multiple spaces since 1976 on Sept. 27, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

An old mail chute has been repurposed for running cables at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. — An old mail chute has been repurposed for running cables at the Fine Arts Building on Sept. 13, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Author Keir Graff stands inside this studio where he writes contemporary fiction and thrillers on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Author Keir Graff stands inside this studio where he writes contemporary fiction and thrillers on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Matt Bodett, an artist and poet, frames works for an exhibition called “Of Exceptions” that includes a large work inspired by the Sistine Chapel. — Matt Bodett, an artist and poet, frames works for an exhibition called “Of Exceptions” that includes a large work inspired by the Sistine Chapel. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Paige and Gabriel Ben-Dashan, along with senior sales executive John Gerson, stand inside the historic 10th-floor corner room at Bein & Fushi, a prominent dealer and restorer of fine stringed instruments since 1976 at the Fine Arts Building. — Paige and Gabriel Ben-Dashan, along with senior sales executive John Gerson, stand inside the historic 10th-floor corner room at Bein & Fushi, a prominent dealer and restorer of fine stringed instruments since 1976 at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Garret Buckley runs Skyline Headshots from his space on the fourth floor at the Fine Arts Building. — Garret Buckley runs Skyline Headshots from his space on the fourth floor at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Charles Barker of Stoneview Gallery sits inside his tokonoma room where he displays Japanese suiseki stones at the Fine Arts Building. — Charles Barker of Stoneview Gallery sits inside his tokonoma room where he displays Japanese suiseki stones at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

The Fine Arts Building is framed by a Metra entrance that was a gift from Paris along Michigan Avenue on Sept. 14, 2023. — The Fine Arts Building is framed by a Metra entrance that was a gift from Paris along Michigan Avenue on Sept. 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Artist Linda Arnold prepares her landscape paintings for a gallery show in Florida inside her 10th-floor studio at the Fine Arts Building. — Artist Linda Arnold prepares her landscape paintings for a gallery show in Florida inside her 10th-floor studio at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Photographer Matthew Tolzmann uses his studio space on the 10th floor to document rare violins and other instruments for the dealer Bein & Fushi on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Photographer Matthew Tolzmann uses his studio space on the 10th floor to document rare violins and other instruments for the dealer Bein & Fushi on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

John Becker stands in his 10th-floor studio that was once home to Frank Lloyd Wright where Becker restores and maintains fine stringed instruments at the Fine Arts Building. — John Becker stands in his 10th-floor studio that was once home to Frank Lloyd Wright where Becker restores and maintains fine stringed instruments at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Lize Dreyer practices her cello at the end of the workday inside McClaughlin Violins on the ninth floor at the Fine Arts Building. — Lize Dreyer practices her cello at the end of the workday inside McClaughlin Violins on the ninth floor at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Architect Bill Murphy sits in his eighth-floor offices on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. — Architect Bill Murphy sits in his eighth-floor offices on Sept. 13, 2023, at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Luthier Mike Kijowski repairs a cello in a workshop at McLaughlin Violins at the Fine Arts Building. — Luthier Mike Kijowski repairs a cello in a workshop at McLaughlin Violins at the Fine Arts Building. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Originally Published: Oct 04, 2023 at 4:58 pm

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