Behind Us We Are You: An Artist Talk with Atlan Arceo-Witzl

About this event

Join us for an artist talk by Atlan Arceo-Witzl about his print-based work, which can be found in galleries, zines, and in the streets of Chicago. Atlan is a biracial Mexican-American/Chicanx visual artist, second-generation printmaker, and third-generation educator based in Chicago, Illinois (Zhigaagoong). He received his Bachelor's degree in Studio Art from Skidmore College in 2018. He has worked as a teaching artist in various programs and institutions while also maintaining a personal freelance and art practice. A short list of collaborators includes Pilsen Housing Cooperative, the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, Studio Elaine Mosaic, Chicago Tool Library, Chicago Printers Guild, Spudnik Press Cooperative, Field Notes, Code Switch Podcast (NPR), the Chicago Reader, South Side Weekly, Pilsen Unidos por Nuestro Orgullo, El Comedor Comunitario, and Latinxs for Palestine. Exploring everyday rituals, icons, symbols, and communication, his works redefine Midwestern identity as a hybrid of ancient and contemporary life. His pieces employ a satirical cartoon style infused with the flattened aesthetics of Mesoamerican and Mexican folk art alongside an admiration for hand-painted signs. Printed ephemera, passing phrases, political movements, and palpable relics of the past are combined into graphic images championing a diverse, liberated future. A showcase of work by Atlan will be on display at the Archer Heights Branch Library from October 1-31, 2026. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

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