The Center Program

Look what we made! Isn't it PRETTY?!!! Thank you, Aidan @skinlessdogg for this awesome instructional workshop and CP 11 reunion at Chicago Pulp!!! @chicagopulp @hydeparkartcenter @thecenterprogram @eso_no_me_interesa

Final week to see Mutuality at the Hyde Park Art Center! Please join us Tuesday, March 3 at 6 pm for performances as well as short artist talks. The last day to see the exhibition is Sunday, March 8. Let me know if you would like to schedule a gallery visit. Curated by Teresa Silva. @hydeparkartcenter @thecenterprogram @eso_no_me_interesa Pictured: para los guardianes, una sábana de luz (for the guardians, a sheet of light) 2025 bird cage, fabric, glass shards, faux flowers, installation components dimensions vary

🪴✨Join us in exploring the Mutuality exhibition✨🪴 Through an interactive public program artists in the Center Program share their ideas, processes, and inspirations through shot talks, an installation activation, and audio and haptic performances! 📋This program is free and open to all!🌟

para-sōl pāpiliō is still on view at the Hyde Park Art Center for one more month until March 8 Left to right: Reduplication (Butterfly parasol hung in the home of photographer Edgard Imbert, Hanoi, French Indochina, c. 1905), 2025. Credit: Photo courtesy of ECPAD (Établissement de Communication et de Production Audiovisuelle de la Défense). Phùng Nguyễn Anh Khoa (commissioned by Richard Gessert), butterfly parasol replica based on Catopsilia pomona (the common emigrant, bướm vàng chanh di cư), 2024 para-sōl pāpiliō (bươm bướm-butterfly), 2025 Photo by @mikeymosher_photo

I’m beginning 2026 in a studio of my own for the first time since 2013. While it is still coming together, seeing my materials and belongings physically in the space already feels seismic. For years, I’ve worked in various fabrication facilities throughout the city and in a home studio that was continuously compartmentalized and reconfigured around my family’s changing needs. These spaces have, thankfully, sustained my practice, but haven’t supported continuity or allowed ideas to develop without interruption. This new studio changes that. It offers the ability to move fluidly between welding, ceramics, and textiles without dismantling one line of thought to make room for another. It is a place where my work can remain unfinished, questions can be revisited, and ideas can unfold over time. It also allows for studio visits and conversations within a space that is unmistakably mine. I’m entering this year with momentum having just completed the Hyde Park Art Center’s @hydeparkartcenter Biennial Center Program @thecenterprogram , with a deep readiness to dig in and let the work grow. #chicagoartist #bethanycordero #hpaccenterprogram #chicagoart #artiststudio

The corner of a new work Now up at @hydeparkartcenter in @thecenterprogram biennial exhibition Cathection Field 1 Assembled paper objects, paint, steel, copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, walnut, spalted sycamore, poplar, acrylic, glass, cubic zirconia, pearl, and tourmaline 40 x 60 x 4 inches 2025

An opening day celebrating consideration. @thecenterprogram exhibition “Mutuality” is fantastic, just like the people ❤️

Spent the past year building with some great artists @hydeparkartcenter . If you’re outside this weekend, come by to see new work on fabric and how I’m turning these archives to film 🎥 🎞️. Opening reception: Saturday, December 13th (12pm-4pm)

So much has happened in a year! So many thoughts, progressions, ways of being evolved and changed. I feel changed. I am. I’m different in so many ways by the challenges, questions, edifications, support, and intrigue. The deep desire from everyone who participated in this cohort to grow and push their own and each other’s practices. By showing up, being present and giving of their time and attention we moved forward together. A special thanks to our incredible leadership team @thecenterprogram - program curator, Teresa Silva @eso_no_me_interesa , our program coordinator Aidan Frierson @skinlessdogg , and the HPAC’s director Mike Nourse @mike.nourse for their tireless support and guidance. And to all of the visiting artists, curators, gallerists, thinkers, and contributors who shared space with us during our time together. Please join us on December 13th from 1-4 pm at the Hyde Park Art Center @hydeparkartcenter for the opening reception of the CENTER program’s 11th cohort exhibition “Mutuality” to check out what we have been working towards for the last year. With so much gratitude, love and respect ❤️ #cp11 #thecenterprogram #hpac #hydeparkartcenter #mutuality #hpaccenterprogram

Installation shots of “The Architecture of Becoming” now on view in the @oakparkartleague front garden, as part of the @terrainexhibitions 2025 Terrian Biennial which runs from October 1st- November 15th. #terrainbiennial #terrianexhibitions #bethanycordero #bethanycorderoart #opal #oakparkartleague #chicagoartist #hpaccenterprogram @thecenterprogram

My name is Bethany Cordero @bethany_cordero , I’m an artist and graduate of SAIC @saicalumni . I’m currently part of the Hyde Park Art Center’s CENTER Program’s 11th cohort (#cp11) @hydeparkartcenter @thecenterprogram and I live a work in Chicago. I greatly appreciate the invitation from @surface_design to collaborate this weekend, providing me an opportunity to connect with many of you and share more about my practice. Studio view, 2024 “Within the Fold” Ceramic, Jute and Thread 11.5” x 9” x 3” 2024/5 “Layers of Defense” Ceramic, Salt, Powdered Metallic Steel, Charcoal Ash Slip, Sulfur Oxide, and Faux Fur 10” x 17” x 19” 2024 #contemporaryart #contemporarysculpture #sculpture #chicagoartist  #bethanycordero #saicalumni #hpaccenterprogram #materiality #contemporaryceramics #visualartist #hpaccenterprogram #chicagoart #cerámica

Wonderful evening last night @hydeparkartcenter . During @thecenterprogram we were fortunate to have Yasmin Spiro @yspiro take us on a walkthrough of her exhibition “Cornerstone” currently on view in Gallery 1. It was exciting to hear her share details about the work, her process and personal experiences growing up in Jamaica. So grateful for these opportunities to learn from such an incredible group of artists and thinkers. This has been such a privilege to share space with this cohort lead by program curator Teresa Silva @eso_no_me_interesa and program coordinator Aidan Frierson @skinlessdogg #thecenterprogram #cp11 #hydeparkartcenter #hpaccenterprogram #hpac