Jefferson Park welcomed a fresh cultural hub this month when J.G. Singhal opened Mavra, a two‑story contemporary art gallery and shop at 5338 W. Lawrence Ave. The 24‑year‑old Northwestern graduate saved $25,000 of her own money and received a $4,000 contribution from a roommate to bring the project to life.
Singhal, who moved to the Far Northwest Side two and a half years ago, fell in love with the neighborhood’s strong sense of community but noticed many empty storefronts along Lawrence and Milwaukee avenues. “I was commuting to Logan Square, Downtown, and Pilsen for arts events,” she said, “and I wanted something similar right here in Jefferson Park.”
Named after Igor Stravinsky’s comic opera Mavra—a nod to the area’s historic Polish roots— the gallery seeks to honor local heritage while showcasing modern creativity. The space, just minutes from Singhal’s home, was cleaned and prepared in two weeks with the help of friends, and its inaugural exhibition, “Perfect Disk,” runs through September 18.
Spotlight on Emerging Artists
One of the featured creators, 26‑year‑old Raine Lysiak, presents a series of animatronic puppets crafted from repurposed Goodwill toys and discarded Christmas decorations. Lysiak, who grew up in a “big Jim Henson household,” turned to puppetry after an autism diagnosis in high school, describing the hobby as a lifeline that led to lasting friendships.
Singhal acknowledges the challenges new artists face breaking into the gallery scene. “Mavra is a place where local artists can have their time in the sun,” she explained, emphasizing the need for more venues that support emerging talent.
Future Plans and Community Impact
Mavra’s next show, opening September 26, will feature apocalypse‑inspired drawings from more than 40 artists, and Singhal aims to host roughly eight exhibitions each year. She reports a warm reception from neighbors, noting, “People are really hungry to see development and art here.”
The gallery joins a growing arts ecosystem in Jefferson Park, which already includes Aponte Art Gallery and Seventh Corner Gallery, both opened in 2024, as well as a new sculpture walk linking Jefferson Park and Portage Park along Milwaukee Avenue.
Singhal hopes Mavra will act as a catalyst for further creative development. “There is so much culture and opportunity here, and I would love to see a thriving arts ecosystem,” she said. “I want to keep bringing more art to where people are.”
Mavra welcomes visitors Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. More information can be found on the gallery’s website and Instagram page.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
