40 Years of Art & A Summer of Music: Lake View's Creative Spirit Is in Full Bloom

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Lake View · March 22, 2026

Lake View's arts and culture scene had a big weekend — and an even bigger season ahead. The Cornelia Arts Building, a beloved former icehouse turned creative hub at 1800 W. Cornelia, just wrapped up its March 2026 Open Studios event, welcoming visitors through the studios of working artists over two days (Friday evening and Saturday afternoon). This year's open house carried extra meaning: the Cornelia Arts Building is celebrating its 40th anniversary, having fostered creativity in the neighborhood continuously since 1986. Tucked near the borders of Lakeview, Roscoe Village, and North Center — just steps from the Brown Line — the building remains one of Chicago's most treasured artist communities, and events like this are a perfect reminder of the grassroots creative energy that defines this corner of the North Side.

Looking ahead, Lake View East has even more to celebrate. The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce has announced the return of the Belmont Sheffield Music Festival for Memorial Day Weekend — May 22–24, 2026 — with Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday hours along one of the neighborhood's most iconic corridors. And with Cubs Opening Day just days away on Thursday, March 26th, against the Washington Nationals, Wrigleyville's buzz is already electric.

Whether you're an art lover, a music fan, or a die-hard Cubs devotee, Lake View is serving up reasons to get outside and soak in the neighborhood this spring. Keep an eye on the Lakeview East Chamber's website for Belmont Sheffield lineup announcements — and don't miss next year's Cornelia open studios!

Sources:
1. https://thevisualist.org/2026/03/cornelia-arts-building-march-2026-open-studios-day-two/
2. https://lakevieweast.com/