Ivana Rihter

Journalism Student at DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

Writer , Journalist , First-Generation Immigrant , Social Activist

Ivana Rihter

Journalism Student at DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

Writer , Journalist , First-Generation Immigrant , Social Activist

Do It Yourself: From Punk to Politics
A deep dive into Chicago’s DIY scene and the ways in which artists are creating their own culture.
Journalism Capstone
The Sanctity of Self-Care
A deep dive into the self-care movement and the ways in which women — activists, artists and comedians — are defining what self-care means to them. An airy voice pours down the chrome stairway from the top floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art. Rhythmic vocals loop over electronic undertones. The warmth of Lykanthea’s music floats through the room while the audience cranes their necks hoping to catch sight of who is singing.
14 East Magazine
Part 1: Lights Out
The pat downs happen three people at a time. It is early, and you are standing on the cold floor without shoes on so that even the soles of your feet can be thoroughly examined. The pat downs do not leave any crevice unchecked; shoes and bras must be shaken out. All papers and notebooks are checked.
14 East Magazine
The Art and Peril of Guantanamo’s Teacups
Furious shouting erupted from the back of the auditorium. Arabic words were spat through clenched teeth, their severity evident. Despite all his cultural sensitivity training from the Unites States military, Aaron Hughes knew no Arabic. He was helpless behind the microphone. All there was left to do was wait while this stranger ran at him, the man’s arms flailing violently in all directions as he got closer and closer to the stage.
14 East Magazine
DIY Safe Spaces: The Phenomenon of the Pop-Up Gallery
These are the safe space guidelines that must be upheld by every single artist given the mic. This call and response war cry echoes off the walls of the makeshift venue before anyone can step foot on stage. The audience sits in rusty gray fold out chairs and the slightest shift of weight can be heard in a chorus of creaks.
14 East Magazine
Violinist finds new way to manage chronic pain
A mysterious condition seemed like it could hurt one woman's career as a musician, playing with some of the biggest names in music. But then, an old memory of her grandmother led her to a new therapy, and a new talent that may surprise you.
WGNTV
Analysis: Tax funds used for Marriott hotel near DePaul arena controversial
Six days after the partnership between DePaul, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (McPier), and the city was announced in 2013, Chicago’s Board of Education announced that 50 public schools would close. To critics, the project was the perfect example of the misuse of public funds, siphoning public money for flashy developments rather than schools.
De Paulia, De Paul University
Museum marks Day of the Dead with outdoor celebration, exhibit
Altars color the streets in a warm orange glow of candles and marigolds. Calacas on stilts make their way gently through the crowds while the faces of children tilt upwards eagerly in awe of the skeletons toothy grins, lustrous gold suits and dramatic top hats. The altars in the distance look like stars littered over the ground, shimmering as bodies pass in front of the candles blazing brightly in honor of those no longer here to celebrate today.
De Paulia, De Paul University
Please Don't Touch Me and Other Tales of Womanhood
I had gotten into the habit of constantly running around naked around the time I turned 3 years old. I remember the smell of sun screen and sea water. I chased the ocean waves as they receded and they chased me back up the shore across the broken shell floor, making imprints on the soles of my feet.
Hooligan Magazine
Women Have An Entire Day To Themselves and It Was Last Tuesday
I remember waking up on March 8th every year of my young existence to something. It was my aggressively Serbian father waking me up for school with a rose in his hand and two other behind his back for my little sisters. It was a skype call from my grandmother SHOUTING on the other line because any understanding of computer microphone systems has confounded her for decades now.
Hooligan Magazine
The Decline of Western Compassion
The temporary Facebook profile picture filters give you, a social media user, the opportunity to identify yourself as an ally, a socially conscious member of society, and a practitioner of solidarity with a variety of causes. The core of this phenomenon is deeply problematic because it entirely ignores the complexity of issues surrounding human rights and acts of violence.
Hooligan Magazine
Father John Misty- "I Love You, Honeybear" in Highlights and Happenings
Josh Tillman teases out the part of you that used to believe in a love that could only exist when you turned 23, got a tattoo, and lived in your own 3rd floor apartment in a city that made you feel everything all at once. “I Love You Honeybear” is Tillman’s new shout into a world of people that desperately need to laugh about things their mothers told them were meant to be “serious”.
Todaba

About

Ivana Rihter

Excel

Blogging

Creative Writing

Social Media

Acting

Public Speaking

Google Fusion

Adobe Creative Cloud

Tweet Deck

Twitter Analytics

Finding Secret DIY Venues

Wordpress

Data Reporting

ADOBE LightRoom

I am fascinated by unconventional things and jazz improvisations. My memories of growing up are spread across continents rather than cul-de-sacs, split between Canada, the Balkans and their airports. This constant state of motion and traveling has become an integral part of who I am as a person and as a writer. I could never be content with a sedentary life spent marinating in the comfort of familiarity. I crave creativity, perspective, and stories worth telling. This love of stories has made its way into my aspiration to be a writer, a journalist, and a voice to the nameless, faceless people making an impact on our world. I am constantly captivated by the beauty and humility of random acts of kindness on public transportation, free underground concerts and used book stores. I want to work to uncover the hidden wonders of the world and tell their stories to those that would have never heard about it otherwise. I am unapologetically myself through all my passions and work to capture their essence in my writing.