Chance Woodward

Who: Chance Woodward
Title: Event Manager, Gen Art
Neighborhood: Lakeview

How long have you been at Gen Art?
I have been at Gen Art for almost two years.

Tell us about the jobs you had previous to coming to Gen Art.
Prior to Gen Art, I was working in the PR department at TSE Cashmere.  My favorite part of the job was producing the photo shoots for our ad campaigns and putting on the runway shows during fashion week.  Before that I was living the glamorous life working freelance assisting designers and making ends meet by waiting tables.

What’s the best part about your job?
The best part about Gen Art is the wide array of events we produce. 
One night will be a small gallery party and then next week will be a fashion show for 1000 people.  Working on so many different projects keeps the job entertaining and keeps me on my toes with what is going on in Chicago.

What’s your neighborhood and what do you like about it?
I live in Lakeview - which I will admit is my favorite neighborhood in Chicago.  It has the perfect combination of bars, restaurants – chain and mom and pop, shopping and convenience.  You can get anywhere else in the city within a few minutes.  And being so close to the lake and so many parks is motivation to keep active.

What do you like most about living in Chicago?
I actually love the weather in Chicago.  The Midwest sets the definition of all four seasons.  And though the winter months can get bitter and depressing, it makes the summer that much better. 

Where is your dream travel spot and why?
Denver, Colorado.  It is one of the most versatile cities in the world.  You have the best of city life and the outdoors with skiing in the winter, hiking in the fall, water in the summer.   And to be able to see the mountains from anywhere in the city, it’s almost surreal.

What is your favorite annual party?
Besides Gen Art parties of course, my favorite annual party is Old St. Pats Block Fest.  I have a group of friends that have been going together for years.  The crowd is always out for a good time and you can’t beat summer drinking at a Chicago blockfest.

What is something people don’t know about you?
I eat chicken fingers for dinner 3-4 times a week.

What is your favorite art style and why?
I love photography.  It is a medium people are more comfortable with because everyone has worked with it at some point in their life.  And it also plays a huge part in history by documenting moments and times in life.

What kind of music do you listen to most while working?
The Footloose soundtrack.

What is your signature style?
I don’t like to think I follow a certain style.  My closet consists of tons of basics that I like to mix and match.  I usually keep it pretty casual and toned down.  The most important part about style is the attitude you carry with it.

Where do you shop most and what are key items that people should have in their wardrobes?
I am a thrift store junkie.  I like clothes that are broken in and come with a history.  Army Navy Surplus on Belmont and Clothes Optional on Clark are some of my favorite haunts. Everyone needs a crisp white button down and clean white v-neck t-shirt for the summer.  Both are classic and sexy.

Do you think money and style go hand in hand or can style never be bought?  Is it something you just have?
Not at all!  Anyone can have amazing style as long as they have an eye for it and the confidence to pull it off.  There are more than enough examples on the street of people who think they look great because they paid a lot for it, but they look like a total mess.

What can we look forward to from Gen Art this spring? fall?
Shop Chicago in March! I cannot wait for the Film Festival in June.  Last year was our first year in Chicago and it was a huge success with only a few hiccups.  Looking forward to tackling it this summer with the new team and hopefully no flash floods.

Who/what is on your “it” list right now?
The Million Dollar Matchmaker on Bravo – who else can pull off that red power suit?
Skinny pants. Liquid gel ink pens.

Don't miss Gen Art's Shop Chicago at Union Station on Saturday, March 28th. For more information visit, www.genart.org.

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