Story & Stage at SZNL Gallery
- Elgin Smith
- Mar 4
- 1 min read
February 20, 2026 | Community Recap
On February 20, 2026, Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative (SGLAI) hosted Story & Stage at SZNL Gallery, an evening centered on storytelling, artistic development, and community-building through live performance.
The night began with a workshop exploring the line between personal narrative and performance, followed by a dynamic Open Mic that created space for emerging and established artists to share original work in a supportive environment. The room reflected what we strive to build: a space where vulnerability is met with affirmation and where every artist receives encouragement.
We are grateful to Mandy and the team at SZNL Gallery for stewarding the space and partnering with us to make this gathering possible.
Featured Artists
Storyteller of the Night: Omar
Featured Artist: Ace Da Vinci
Both artists modeled excellence in craft and authenticity in storytelling, setting the tone for the evening.
Artists Who Signed Up in Advance:
C.A.M.
Monotone
Other Mike
Lisa Mannion
Maya Lomax
Michelle Ortiz
Adrian Parris
Angelica Martir
Devon Sago
Isaiah Curry
Ayo
Each artist contributed to an atmosphere rooted in creativity, resilience, and collective support.
Events like Story & Stage are part of SGLAI’s broader commitment to cultivating accessible platforms for youth and community voices across Chicago. By pairing workshops with performance opportunities, we continue to create pathways for artistic growth and public expression.
Watch the full live recording here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVbg90ceOiA&t=6325s
We invite you to join us for our next Open Stage at Garfield Park Conservatory as we continue expanding spaces where story meets stage.
To stay connected with our programming, workshops, and community events, sign up for our newsletter at sglai.org.
Comments