Kara Hughes Salgado
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Born as Kara Courtney Hughes on February 15, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1975 and attended University School of Milwaukee 1975-1985.
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Moved to upstate New York and attended Skidmore College 1985-1989 and earned a Studio Art/Art Education BS degree.
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Taught high school art in central Maine 1989-1991
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Moved to Chicago in 1991 because plans gell through to move to Denver Colorado. Briefly worked for my Dad at The Glendale Heights polo club while living in Ukrainian Village. Decided to stay in Chicago, worked at several art galleries: Lorenzo Rodriguez Gallery and detagglio gallery.
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Opened idao gallery at 2324 W. North Ave in Wicker Park with a good friend, Kirsten Robberson. in 1992. Kirsten and I also rented the apartment behind the gallery and were roommates.
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Moved the gallery to 1616 N Damen in Wicker Park from 1994-2002. Became sole proprietor, and lived in the gallery, waitressed / bartended at The Northside Cafe 1992-1995, and bartended at The Note 1995-2000.
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Volunteered on the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 1999, then stepped down to accept the paid Executive Director position at WPBCC in 2000.
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Married Henry Salgado, professional trombone player and all around coolest guy ever in April 2000. The best decision I ever made. We were married in St. Croix USVI with 25 close friends and family for a week long party that included a full moon beach BBQ, Mako Jumbies, and a gorgeous ceremony at the Botanical Gardens, sunsets, beach days, gourmet dinners... Heaven.
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Closed idao gallery, resigned from the Wicker Park Bucktown ED position, and wrote the grant to establish the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce in 2002. I continue to serve as the WTCC Executive Director.
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Birthed Cole Hughes Salgado in April 2005. He is the coolest kid ever, a 9 pounder at birth, currently 16 and 6 foot 1. A major jazz fan and talented jazz trumpet player.
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Started Optimum Events LLC in 2015 to produce Reggae Fest Chicago and other special events outside of West Town including Pilsen Food Truck Social, Logan Square Social, while still serving as WTCC ED.
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Recently got back into portrait painting for fun #pupportraitpainter @pupportraitpainter
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Kara The Queen
So I call my blog Kara the Queen because of this painting of me done in 1995 by artist David Badinger. It was originally titled "Kara Queen of Bucktown". While working at Lorenzo Rodriquez gallery in 1991 I met Badinger, and when I later opened idao gallery, he asked if I would sit for a portrait.
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I said sure if I can sit in my throne (a piece that a co-worker at the Northside Cafe made in her first welding class and gave to me to have at the gallery.) We displayed the Queen portrait at idao gallery for sale and I included it on the gallery's website.
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My mother was afraid "perverts would come after me" and bought the piece from David with the condition I remove it from the website and internet. :) I honored her wishes and was glad to own it.
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It has been in storage until recently. I gifted it to a dear friend who has a wonderful art collection and had expressed interest in it. It is currently a private collection in Milwaukee WI..
Yes.
I am a Badass Bitch.
I own it.
If the hat fits...
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My dad was the original badass of the family. And my Mom is certainly one serious boss badass bitch too! I come from a long line of stubborn, tough, fiercely independent mofos.
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Linda Alcala, the daughter of the Alcala's Western Wear family, designed a kickass hat in her collection that I tried on, loved, and had to have... She then immediately insisted on naming it: "Bad Ass Bitch Kara". (pictured) Her collection is amazing, I also have a number of the boots in her line... Check it out:.
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Takes one to know one is what I like to say.
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