David Ball

Video Post-Production | Website Development | Photography

Vasquez Rocks, California
portrait

I have been a resident in Chicago in the Pilsen neighborhood for 20 years.

Lately I've been finding enjoyment disconnecting. Turning off the screen and developing a clay practice at Gnarware Workshop. Creating objects in the physical world, with a 30,000 year old craft has taught me a lot about process and creating ones own philosophy of function.

Below you can read more about my volunteer work and interests including my involvement in grassroots giving initiatives that created micro grants for under-represented and under-served communities in Chicago working in the arts and towards social justice.

Volunteer + Community Work

Empty Bowls Fundraiser - Participating Artist + Volunteer

Nov 2022, 2024

Gnarware Workshop + the Hyde Park Art Center partnered to sell handmade ceramic bowls at Gallery 400 (UIC) raising over $5,000 for organizations that create food accessibility in Chicago (Pilsen Food Pantry, the UIC Food Pantry, The Love Fridge Chicago, McKinley Park Mutual Aid, and PMI Community Kitchen).

Donated work for sale + assisted the gallery with in-person sales + order pick-ups the day of the event.


Chances Dances Critical Fierceness - Board Member

Jan 2005 - Jan 2016

Since its founding in 2005, Chances Dances has sought to create a safe space for all gender expressions by bringing together the varied LGBTIQ communities of Chicago. The creation of the Critical Fierceness grant expanded upon this goal by offering a unique platform, funding queer thinking and expression through art made by individuals or groups who identify themselves or their work as queer. The Critical Fierceness Grant supported the development and realization of queer artwork through project-based financial assistance of up to $500, funded by donations, bar proceeds, and admission to our resident monthly events at Subterranean and Dannys Tavern.

Funding was further expanded with the Mark Aguhar Memorial Grant: Chicago's first grant for trans-identified artists of color.

As a founding organizer, I sat on the selection committee that reviewed and awarded grants each cycle.

Website


Dimensions: 6.75 x 9", 252 pages
Materials: Paperback, full color

Platforms: 10 Years of Chances Dances

Platforms: Ten Years of Chances Dances features work from the citywide retrospective of the same name commemorating a decade of queer nightlife, artworks and interventions by Chances organizers, community members, and Critical Fierceness grantees and finalists. The Platforms catalogue, published at the end of 2015, features full color documentation of all eight Platforms exhibitions, the three-month schedule of performances and parties, and ephemera from Chances' ten-year herstory.

Purchase from Buddy Gallery


AIGA Chicago Mentor Program Participant

2013

The AIGA Chicago Mentor Program offers creatives from across disciplines a safe space to gather and share insights, experiences and resources. With the support from our community, we are able to curate our mentor programming. This program helps guide and grow designers at any level of experience through focused mentor groups that are based on our community’s needs.

Website


Fire This Time Fund - Giving Circle Member

Mar 2008 - Dec 2010

Fire This Time Fund is an all volunteer organized, independent giving circle. It supported small-scale, creative social change projects initiated by local artists, educators and organizers who weave an analysis of racial, economic, social, environmental, or gender justice into their work.

The fund prioritized the channeling of project-based funds to informal groups working in atypical ways, inside and outside of the non-profit model, without access or ties to extensive institutional support.

Website + Grant Recipients


QueerKit.org - Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

2003 - 2005
QueerKit.org

I launched QueerKit, a website showcasing and mobilizing queer brilliance, in 2003 as a resource for alternative LGBTQ culture. It featured interviews, band biographies + tour dates, a directory of queer-friendly venues, a forum, and artist profiles and gallery openings.

I covered Allison Smith's, The Muster in NYC, interviewed AA Bronson (from Canadian art collective, General Idea), interviewed Kief Hillsbery (author of Warboy), and traveled to Olympia, WA for Homo-a-gogo.

Prior to social media (Facebook launched in 2004), this was a unique networking opportunity for queer people across the world.


Spark-Online Magazine - Contributing Writer

Jan 2001 - Jan 2002

“The clash of ideas brings forth the spark of truth” —Aboriginal proverb

In every issue of *spark-online we apply this principle to our idea that the new world of high technology has not only created a new "e-society"—it has created a new understanding of self. We call this new understanding of self, "electronic consciousness." Technology hasn’t changed only our societies—it has fundamentally changed us. *spark-online is at the vanguard of recognizing, and attempting to understand this change.

STORIES


CONSULTING + WORKSHOPS

  • 2013

    GravityTank (Aquired by SalesForce in 2014)

    Non-profit technology study participant.

  • 2012

    Chicago Public Schools

    Lane credit courses for CPS teachers with Beyondmedia Education.

  • 2011

    Beyondmedia Education's 3rd Annual Youth Summit @ Columbia College

    Youth workshop facilitator

SCREENINGS + EVENTS