Photo Essay: The People’s Palace – Chicago’s 115-year-old Masterpiece

A good book is the precious life blood of a master spirit embalmed and treasured upon purpose to a life beyond life.

-Milton [from a mosaic in the Old Chicago Public Library]

The Old Chicago Public Library is a neo-classical wonder – exquisite glass domes, white Carrara marble, glorious mosaics, dramatic stairwells, and great quotes about books.  It’s no wonder that it’s nickname is The People’s Palace!  The building is now home to the Chicago Cultural Center and should be one of the first stops on any trip to Chicago.  Not only can you enjoy the extraordinary interior architecture of this building, but you can plan out your trip, grab some coffee at the cafe, visit the free art exhibits, attend a free cultural performance, buy Chicago-themed post cards and souvenirs, and gain a unique perspective on Chicago by looking down at Michigan Avenue, “Cloud Gate,” Millenium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, and Lake Michigan from one of the second-floor galleries.

Chicago Cultural Center - 78 E Washington St (between Garland Ct & Dearborn St – right across the street from Millennium Park)

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• Tips for Art Lovers:  Photographing In Situ Art


• Big City Shooting Challenge – Perspective and Contrast in Chicago


• How to Buy a Lens (or How Best to Shoot Up Marilyn Monroe’s Skirt)

In joy,

Melinda Eliza

4 comments

[Image © The Art House Co-op]

The Art House Co-op organizes global art projects – not competitions, but rather the opportunity to collaborate with thousands of other artists from all over the world.  What a great idea!  They are currently looking for photographers (that’s you!) to participate in a food photography exhibit called “THE MEAL.”  The requirements are simple (see list below) and participation is free, so sign up today!

• All photographs must be taken on February 24th at 12pm Eastern Standard Time. Some participants will be eating lunch, others will be having a midnight snack, but we’ll all be taking photos of ourselves with our food at the same moment.


• There are no restrictions on the composition of your photograph; they ask only that you capture at least part of yourself and all of your meal/snack.


• Send the Art House Co-op one 4×6 photo (matte finish and no borders, please!).  Note that both color and black & white photos are accepted.


• Everyone who mails the Art House Co-op a photograph before the deadline will be included in the exhibition.


• Don’t forget to print your name clearly on the back of your photograph so you can receive credit for your work.


• Submissions will not be returned.


• Postmark your photograph by March 05, 2012 to:
  Brooklyn Art Library
  103A N. 3rd St
  Brooklyn, NY 11249

In joy,

Melinda Eliza

2 comments

“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.”

-Flora Whittemore

[Vicious Lion – Italian Door Knocker – Rome, Italy]

[Evil Bacchus and His Wine Making Minions – Italian Door Knocker. Florence, Italy]

[I jokingly told my best friend Jess that I would meet a Fabrizio in Italy. I found his signature, but nothing more. Florence, Italy]

[Ornate Brass Italian Door Knocker – Rome, Italy]

[Evil Lion – Italian Door Knocker – Florence, Italy]

If you’re a regular visitor to Global Snapshots, then you know that I love to set photo themes for myself when I travel.  I had great fun exploring the backstreets of Italy taking these images!  Leave a comment and let me know which one you like best.

Related Posts:

• Travel Prep Advice:  Get Ready To Take Great Travel Photos


• How to Depict Place with a Photo Series

For more architectural images of Italy, check out my Pinterest page by clicking on the red Pinterest link at the top right of this page.

In joy,

Melinda Eliza

10 comments