Chicago loses one of its finest Arte Agora artists

Wicker Park fixture Lajuana Lampkins

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time," said Thomas Merton, the theologian, writer, poet, mystic, and social activist. During her life, artist Lajuana Lampkins lost many things (her freedom, her children), but she also re-found herself through her art and advocacy. Late last month, when she passed away, the world lost a great artist and practitioner of Arte Agora.

A well-known personality among the denizens of late night Wicker Park in Chicago, you could find Lajuana charming patrons and selling her art to revelers at bars or food establishments frequented in the wee hours of the morning. She was smart, hilarious and talented as hell—and will be missed by many.

Her legacy is the treasure trove of art she created.

May her memory be a blessing.