Chicago in the 1970s: Street artists, Italian bakers, Greek musicians

Chicago in the 1970s: Street artists, Italian bakers and Greek musicians are captured in images showing the city’s vibrant communities 45 years ago

  • The incredible series of images were collected during the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project survey in 1977
  • One picture shows Mary Higeko Hamano teaching the art of Japanese flower arranging to a keen student 
  • Other insightful images offered a glimpse into the lives of German-Americans wearing Bavarina dresses  

Incredible color photographs capturing the vibrant traditions of ethnic communities in Chicago during the late seventies have been revealed. 

The series of images were collected during the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project survey in 1977, and capture street artists, Italian bakers and Greek musicians. 

One picture shows Mary Higeko Hamano teaching the art of Japanese flower arranging to a keen student, and bakers preparing the day’s bread at an Italian bakery on an early Saturday morning in Illinois. 

Other insightful images offered a glimpse into the lives of German-Americans in the front room of Mr and Mrs Scwarz who sat in traditional Bavarian dresses with artifacts on the table in front of them. 

Latino men in red football shirts gathered in Montrose Harbour Park ahead of a soccer game and a beautiful bride arrived at her marriage ceremony at the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Illinois. 

An African American woman gets her portrait painted at Jazz Alley, 50th and Langley, Chicago, Illinois while other people observe the artist 



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St. Joseph Athletic Association’s 51st Annual Parade; the ‘honorary girl’ riding on the float takes money from crowd and pins it to the sashes around the statue’s neck

The Greek John Georganas Family Orchestra at the home of Angelos Kontaxis, Chicago, Illinois. The series of images were collected during the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project survey in 1977

Italian bakers take a rest during Saturday morning bread baking at Al’s Bakery, Loomis and Taylor Streets, Chicago

In the series of images which were collected during the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project survey in 1977, Japanese women and children could be seen taking dance lessons in exquisite traditional dress complete with fans at the Chicago Buddhist Temple

St. Jerome’s Annual Parish Festival at the Croatian Catholic Church, Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois. 

Friday night services at McGee Temple, Church of God in Christ, 4946 S. Vincennes, Chicago, Illinois

Mrs. Apostolopoulos, manager of the Greek needlework shop called Yarn and Canvas, Chicago

Italian Gilda Sottile in her garden, Chicago, Illinois. The series of images were collected during the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project survey in 1977

Lithuanian Paktas family play the kankles, Chicago, Illinois. Incredible colour photographs capturing the vibrant traditions of ethnic communities in Chicago during the late seventies have been revealed

Inside the home of German Americans, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Schwarz, Chicago, Illinois. The women are dressed in traditional Bavarian dresses 

Italian American, Pompeo Stillo at Harrison Radio, 5909 W. Irving Park Rd, Chicago. Incredible colour photographs capturing the vibrant traditions of ethnic communities in Chicago during the late seventies have been revealed.

Italian bakers take a rest during Saturday morning bread baking at Al’s Bakery, Loomis and Taylor Streets, Chicago, Illinois. The series of images which were collected during the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project survey in 1977

Italian morra players at Mama Sue’s Restaurant, Taylor and Loomis Streets. Incredible colour photographs capturing the vibrant traditions of ethnic communities in Chicago during the late seventies have been revealed

Saturday morning bread baking at Al’s Italian Bakery, Loomis and Taylor Streets, Chicago, Illinois

Wedding of Tom and Joyce Todorovic at the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois

Irish American and Greek American communities post-fieldwork workshops, Chicago, Illinois

Japanese tea ceremony at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Gyomay M. Kubose, Chicago, Illinois

Latino soccer players gather at Montrose Harbour Park, Chicago. The men donned red T-shirts with white shorts for the game 

Mary Higeko Hamano teaching the art of Japanese flower arranging to a keen student in Chicago, Illinois 

Mrs. Bong Hee (Ma) Stephens, Korean dancer, in her Korean dancing costume with musical instruments, at home

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