By Eric Rehm
June 10, 2009 – The Colby Gallery at 1626 W. 18 St. has student art projects displayed in June that could improve the quality of life in Pilsen.
The Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization (PERRO) gave fellowships to four local students to help raise awareness of environmental issues in Pilsen. Four students each received a stipend of $350 to research and document neighborhood pollution sources through art – from photography to paintings.
The fellowship winners were: Ysenia Gallegos of St. Ignatius College Prep, Daniel Montes of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Natalie Vrito of Benito Juarez High School and Ariana Mdriagal of Benito Juarez High School.
Gallegos focused on H. Kramer Co., a metal recycling plant near Racine Avenue and Cermak Road in Pilsen.
“One thing that stood out the most was 4,000 pounds of lead being put into the air (annually) by the company,” she said. “It’s one thing to say something, but I think the pictures will help tell the story better. I think it’s messed up that a lot of people in the neighborhood don’t know about it, but still live there. I hope after this people pay attention to it.”
Montes chose Fisk Generating Station, a coal-burning power plant on Cermak Road.
“I want to get the message out there, people are breathing this in,” Montes said. He plans to do a collage of images of “kids with inhalers and gas masks and stuff.”
Resident and PERRO member Maria Chavez said she is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the students.
“I hope they get something out of it, that lasts forever, and they pass it down,” she said. “People are more worried about heavier crime, violence, gangs, immigration. I’m glad there is interest from the younger generation” in pollution.
PERRO was formed in 2004 when residents came together to investigate the H. Kramer company, after complaints of foul-smelling smoke and odors from the plant. Neighbors called the alderman to complain, but got no response. So they took action themselves, and got signatures to have a non-binding advisory referendum placed on the 2004 ballot.
The referendum passed with 95 percent of the vote. Investigations of H. Kramer by PERRO and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency showed that the company was operating within the law, but PERRO activists have continued monitoring the company.
Their main goal is to make Pilsen a healthier place to live. They believe everyone has the right to live in an area free from chemicals and toxins.
For more information on PERRO and the fellowship, visit their Web site.