City of Boxes

On display at 3547-49 West Montrose through April, 2023, “City of Boxes: We Make This Place Our Home” is an original art installation created by Schantelle Alonzo. “City of Boxes” occupies the windows of the future home of APTP’s Port of Entry and is visible to all passersby from the street.

Artist Statement from Schantelle Alonzo: Simultaneously exploring the rich immigrant history of Albany Park while also emulating the stories found in Albany Park Theater Project’s upcoming Port of Entry, “City of Boxes” communicates the many things I love about my community. There is an incredible amount of resilience and adaptability that can be found in the personal stories of immigrants coming into this community, and their success in building foundations here is worthy of celebration. In wanting to communicate this journey that has been made time and time again, I chose boxes as ubiquitous icons in the moving process. Representing moments of transition, these boxes become our foundations as we build a vibrant community here in Albany Park, one that becomes a port of entry to making this place our home.

About the Artist: Schantelle Alonzo is a Filipina multidisciplinary artist and animator who has her roots in the neighborhood of Albany Park, Chicago. With a 6-year background of making social justice theater with Albany Park Theater Project, she now strives to tell stories of underrepresented communities and immigrants. Her short story webcomic “Laundry Day” has been recognized by Webtoon, and she has published another short story webcomic since then. Schantelle is currently pursuing a BFA in Animation at the School of Visual Arts. Follow Schantelle on Instagram @mishipiku.