Experimental Station

Since 2010, Experimental Station has partnered with the City of Chicago to help make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable for SNAP users through SNAP/Link and Link Match services at city-run farmers markets.

This year, we continue providing services at:
🥕 Division Street City Market
🥕 Daley Plaza City Market

If you’re a SNAP user planning to shop at these two city markets, look for the SNAP/Link Match Accepted sign and stretch your food dollars with doubled benefits for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Looking for more farmers markets near you? Visit to find participating locations.

Fun and creative events you can join this May at Experimental Station Events

🎭 Ritual by Julian Otis
Part of Blank Box by HOMEROOM
📅 May 15 | 8–9:30 PM

If you're reading this, you are a part of Ritual. Meditate on the Elements of Life. Earth. Water. Fire. Mineral. We take you on a Journey of Remembering through the lens of Black Inspirational Music as we explore our somatic map of care, singing through the healing elements while creating the conditions to grow new life. Walk away changed and Ready to Grow. $20 suggested donation

🎶 The Portal by ChiBrations
An artist-led night of music, creativity, and connection
📅 May 19 | 7–10 PM

🎼 MonteCristo2020 by Hyde Park Community Players - HPCP
An original musical with book & lyrics by Susan Harris and music by Bill Hohnke
📅 May 29–31 & June 5–7
🕖 Fri & Sat at 7 PM | Sun at 2 PM

🥕 The 61st Street Farmers Market returns outdoors!
Fresh produce, local vendors, chef demos, and community activities
📅 Every Saturday | 9 AM–2 PM

🚲 Open Shop at Blackstone Bicycle Works
Free tools and volunteer support to help you tune up your bike
📅 Saturdays | 10 AM–12 PM

We hope to see you at one of these events, or at the market every week 🤭😍!

🚲✨ Biking is at the heart of Experimental Station.

Through Bicycle Works , we’ve spent 20 years building a culture of biking on the South Side—empowering youth with skills, confidence, and access, while advocating for safer, more connected streets across our city.

At FAB Night, we’re bringing those voices into conversation:

🚲 Dave Simmons — Executive Director, Ride Illinois
🚲 Danielle McKinnie — Southside Critical Mass and Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago

Together, they’ll share what it takes to build safer infrastructure, stronger bike communities, and a more accessible future for cycling in Chicago.

Join us for an evening where biking, advocacy, and community come together.

📅 April 30 | 6–9 PM
📍 Experimental Station

🎟️ Tickets available now: expstation.org/fabnight

Come support the movement and the people powering it 🚲💛

🎨✨ Art is at the heart of Experimental Station.

As an arts and cultural resource center, we’ve spent years creating space for artists, thinkers, and organizers to explore ideas, share work, and build community—from residencies and exhibitions to ongoing cultural programming.

We’re proud to support and incubate community-driven work, including architecture practice and the journalism of Invisible Institute —both rooted in Chicago and committed to shaping more just and connected communities.

At FAB Night, we’re bringing these voices into conversation:

✨ Monica Chadha — Founder & Principal Architect, Civic Projects
✨ Lional “Brother El” Freeman — Social Practice Artist, Composer, Founder of The Beat Bank

Join us for an evening where art, storytelling, and community come together.

📅 April 30 | 6–9 PM
📍 Experimental Station

🎟️ Tickets available now — link in bio or expstation.org/fabnight

Come experience the creative voices that make this work possible.

We were happy to welcome a group of students from Wheaton College in Chicago to our space this week and share our programs with them.

Shout out to Wheaton for their Urban Studies program, which connects students with organizations across the nonprofit, for-profit, and public sectors working toward the public good and the flourishing of communities.

Based in Woodlawn, our work is rooted in serving South Side communities. We’re always excited to share how community-driven initiatives—from food access to youth programs and the arts—are helping build a more connected and thriving neighborhood.

Thank you for spending time with us and for your curiosity and engagement! 🌱🚲

🎬✨ Movie Night at Experimental Station: The Watermelon Woman—a groundbreaking film that blends romance, humor, and film history to explore Black le***an identity and the stories often left out of the archive.

Directed by Cheryl Dunye, the film follows a young filmmaker uncovering the life of a forgotten Black actress—while navigating her own relationships and creative path.

Join us for the movie and stay after for a conversation and community connection.
Free and refreshments provided.

📅 This Thursday, Mar 19 | 7–10PM
📍 Experimental Station
🎟 Free & open to all