Virtually Holidazed.
Virtual, Avatar-Based Environment
FREE with a suggestion of any size donation
A virtual open gallery experience
November 27th – December 21st

• Art Gallery showcasing local artists 
• A Marketplace featuring local Craft Artisans and Businesses
• A Listening Wall featuring local Musicians’ work
• Event Date: November 27th – December 21st
  • There will be some live pop-up events happening in the space during this time period

> > > CLICK HERE TO ATTEND < < <

The platform that the gallery is hosted in is www.framevr.io and may be a little beta sensitive, but remember that it is FREE, FUN and for a GOOD CAUSE. We have also uploaded a lot of great content so please, once you have connected to the frame, give it some time to load. This is especially true for cell phones and VR headsets, the optimal way to enjoy the gallery experience is on a computer web browser. 

Using Frame

• Setting up an Account
  • Go to www.framevr.io
  • Click the Blue, Green, & Red lines on the top right for the menu
  • Scroll down and sign in using google, microsoft, or facebook
    • You can also  type in an email and password you would like
  • Customize Avatar
    • You can be a robot or a person avatar
  • Type in Information you would like to be displayed
    • Your Nametag (how you will be seen in frame)
    • Your Company (if applicable)
    • LinkedIn URL (if you want, if applicable)
    • Twitter URL (if you want, if applicable)
    • Set Profile Photo (if you want)
• How To Navigate
  • W = forward, S = back 
  • Q = look left, E = look right
  • A = sidestep left, D = sidestep right
  • Click and drag your mouse to change your view
  • Navigating the virtual space comes with a different learning curve for all of us, so please click here for a brief tutorial.
• Use Headphones!
  • In order to avoid complications with the sound quality, we advise and request that you use headphones when you are in the virtual space.
• Be aware if your Microphone is On or Off
• Using the Avatar Cam
  • Click the Blue, Green, & Red lines on the top right for the menu
  • Click the ‘Avatar Cam’ to Share your Camera
  • A window of your shared camera will move around with your avatar
• Like in the rest of life, if it’s broken… first try rebooting!
  • If you are experiencing any glitches, refreshing the page usually works.  
  • If audio gives feedback, try muting and unmuting a few times — and use headphones!

Holidays During Covid-19
This year has had a significant impact on all of us in too many ways, including our ability to celebrate the arts. Any other year, Chicago is packed full of events to showcase our city’s unique and diverse artistic culture, from visuals to music to great food and beyond. But this year many of us struggle to simply make the rent, while our favorite local restaurants are empty, and our lives are upended as we try to keep a safe distance from each other. Our city’s arts and music events have always been a crucial piece of our community identity, and despite the struggles, we feel that this year should be no different. Therefore we are doing something new!

Each December, Echoes of Chicago produces a fundraising Vendor & Art Gallery to benefit Chicagoans that are experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness as the holidays near. This year, we are raising money for Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW).

Free to Attend
We have made this event FREE FOR ALL to participate or attend. We do ask, that if artists feel they can spare any profits from the event, or an attendee feels the experience and charity cause are worthwhile, to make any contribution to the event they can – all profits go to Housing Opportunities for Women.

Purchasing Work
Due to social distancing and being virtual, making purchases is an obstacle that we faced. We invited artists, artisans, businesses, musicians, and performers to share 2D images of their work so that we can link directly to their websites for the point-of-sale.

About Echoes
Echoes of Chicago is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create affordable, innovative arts and music events that promote Chicago culture and community while raising awareness and funds for local nonprofits. By using traditional elements such as music and the arts to build an audience, they reinforce community by supporting local organizations, businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives at each of their events. Echoes is entirely volunteer-run and donates 100% of each event’s profits to local nonprofits. 

Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW)
Since 1983, HOW has been a leader in permanent solutions to homelessness. Through prevention strategies; expanded, affordable, supportive housing; and individualized support services they have helped thousands take back their lives. HOW operates under the Housing First Model, which ensures that homeless individuals are housed as quickly as possible, and then provided with tools for success and self-sufficiency

Echoes of Chicago is a nonprofit whose mission is to create affordable, innovative arts and music events that promote Chicago culture and community while raising awareness and funds for local nonprofits. We are entirely volunteer-run and donate 100% of each of our other event’s profits to local nonprofits. Happy Birthday Chicago is our annual fundraiser where we raise funds to support and expand our organization and its future events.

A City Divided

Artists:
Alan Cain, Alex Brightbill, Anoriel, Art by Bala, Béle Benard, City Alive Art, Danielle Braun, Ellyn Leahy, Huff Puff Toys, Jason Daniel Photography, Jessica Sawyers, Jillian Kennedy, L.PRESTIGE, Leah Popper, M, Megan Rivera, Melina, Miguel A. Del Real, Morgan Schaefer, Nina Nichole, Oscar Joyo, Peyton Rack, RenmaDesign, Sarah Suzanne Noble, Spazzground, Arturo Gonzalez, Tom Cranston, Zo after dark

Craft Vendors:
Art By Markas O, artistic kind, Chicago Photographer Collective, Cleo’s Corner Design, Crescent Moon Henna, Detayae, Icky Bah Koo, Jessica Brackett Studio, Kingston James & Company, Kraneil Fine Art, Lincoln Apparel, Magnolia Fowler Arts, Rachel Wallis, Scarab Sanctuary, Tendaji Body Oils, Third Sight Tarot, Tommy’s Abstract World