Page 42 - FOP May 2019 Magazine

20th District’s Dimensions 2.0 Art Gallery showcases artistic creations of Chicago officers
■ BY AMBER RAMUNDO
Before moving to Chicago to become a sworn officer, Jennie Morris was raised in Arkansas. Today, she serves on the Area Central Bike Unit. And when she isn’t keeping the peace on the streets, Morris stays connected to her hometown roots through the art of lithography — a printmaking process she learned while attending the Art Institute of Chicago.
John Tolley is a Chicago Police Department veteran with 32 years on the job. The people he meets while responding to psychiatric emergencies with the crisis intervention team probably have no idea that underneath Tolley’s blue uniform and shiny silver badge, he is an author and artist.
Peter Bucks was a full-time artist for 10 years before becom- ing a CPD officer. His ability to capture the essence of his blue brothers and sisters in a single portrait has become a focal point of Chicago Lodge 7.
It may be surprising to discover how many other CPD of- ficers fill their time off the job with creative projects and ex- pression. But on March 22, the vibrant, colorful and exquisite works of law enforcement members from across Chicago cre- ated one big picture of officer artistry at the opening of the Dimensions 2.0 Art Gallery.
“This art show was one of the ways of breaking down the barriers of law enforcement,” shared 20th District Sergeant Hector Morales, who helped organize the event. “It says, ‘We’re more complicated and well-rounded than what the public might think of us.’”
The idea to transform the 20th District’s community room into an illustrious art gallery came from Sean Loughran, who, in addition to serving as the 20th District commander, hap- pens to also have a bachelor of arts in photography. In getting to know his blue family on the job, Loughran found that he was far from the only cop with an eye for light and shadow.
42 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2019
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“We know there are plenty of artists out there, and plenty of talent,” Morales explained. “I think civilians are pleasantly surprised by how talented the officers are.”
The works of nearly 30 Chicago Police Officers were on dis- play to the public from the gallery’s opening through its clos- ing on March 29. From portraits to landscapes, realistic to abstract, photographs to paintings, the works that filled the room were as diverse as the individuals who created them, de- spite the sameness of the uniforms they wear.
Many officers are already familiar with the portraits of Pe- ter Bucks from his monthly feature in Chicago Lodge 7. When Bucks heard about the opportunity to share his work in the Di-
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trict CAPS officers worked together to blur the lines between the badge and an officer’s artistic talents with an art show de- signed to share their creativity with the community.
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ther 20th Dis-