A Year of Growth, Gratitude & New Beginnings
- Linda Solotaire
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
True Muse Inc — End of Year Reflections & 2026 Preview
As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself filled with gratitude. Whether you joined us as an artist, audience member, volunteer, workshop participant, or generous supporter—you have been part of the evolving story of the Second Sunday Salon series. Your presence and participation have helped shape a community rooted in creativity, connection, and care.
Over the past few years, this little idea—an intimate gathering of artists and neighbors—has grown into a vibrant multidisciplinary program. Thanks to a special donor and our ongoing partnership with Tom Burke-Kaiser and The Print Shop Live, we’ve now produced more than a dozen Salons featuring artists from across Chicago’s cultural landscape. Together, we’ve welcomed musicians, dancers, poets, visual artists, choreographers, and storytellers into shared space with audiences eager for beauty, dialogue, and inspiration.
Our Collective Impact
This year also reaffirmed our belief that art is not only expressive—it is a tool for solidarity and service. Together, we’ve raised funds to support vital community work, including:
Contributions for the AOC & Bernie Sanders coalition (with gratitude to Lance Brown)
Nearly $1,000 raised for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights
Ongoing awareness-building in support of local justice organizations and mutual aid efforts
Art That Moves, Connects & Belongs to Everyone
We’ve watched audiences light up as jazz met spoken word, as folk and rock collided with dance, as photography and painting captured what words couldn’t hold. We’ve seen new friendships form in real time. We've made art together, and written poetry together in workshops with award-winning artists. We’ve watched people walk out different from when they arrived. That is the heart of this work.
Looking Ahead to 2026
HAPPY NEW YEAR! The year ahead is already shaping up to be our most ambitious yet. To make our programming more accessible to more communities, we are expanding our reach:
New partnership with Colvin House in Edgewater — a stunning historic home at Sheridan & Thorndale Ave.
COLVIN HOUSE A developing partnership in Hyde Park / Bronzeville — to bring the Salon further south
Ongoing collaboration with The Print Shop Live — our creative home base in Humboldt Park
New Artists, Musicians, Composers, Writers, Spoken Word Artists, Film Makers, Dance Makers and more.
We envision a future where our audience reflects the city we love: multiethnic, multigenerational, interdisciplinary, deeply curious, and joyfully engaged.
Organizational Growth
Behind the scenes, we’ve also taken important steps forward:
Formation of a Board of Directors
Development of an Artistic Advisory Board
Current filing for 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt status
If you feel called to take a more active role—volunteering, joining a committee, or exploring board service—I would love to hear from you.
Thank You
Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for believing in what we are building.
Thank you for choosing community, art, and courage in a world that desperately needs more of each.
I cannot wait to share what comes next.
With love, warmth, and gratitude,
Linda Solotaire
Artistic Director, True Muse Inc.
Want to Get Involved in 2026?
Volunteer or join a committee
Offer space, partnerships, or resources
Sponsor a Salon or artist honorarium
Join our mailing list & share events with your community
👉 Email us to start the conversation. Linda@TrueMuseInc.com
👉 Follow us on FB for upcoming dates & announcements.
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