This summer I am juggling a few differen

This summer I am juggling a few different projects or trying to at least. My name is Alexis and I am interning with Art Reach while working at a gallery and volunteering with the new Chicago Design Museum. I am really excited about all three and their efforts but want to share information about the design museum with you.

It has been a beautiful project that started from a kickstarter and support from the design community in the city. I don’t think most of us think about starting a whole museum (especially because of the weight that the word “museum” carries) via a kickstarter campaign but CHIDM has successfully made a permanent home because of it. I recently worked the opening and it was great celebration where I was able to meet so many interesting people and to gain more experience in an art organization. More importantly, its a reminder that something small can flourish into a great project!

Ps. Check out their current exhibition Starts/Speculations: Graphic Design in Chicago Past and Future at Block Thirty Seven on State Street!

Stepping Stones

Summer was a whirlwind at ArtReach! In late July and early August, ArtReach Teaching Artist Rochelle Borrett, a practicing artist and arts educator for more than 20 years, made mosaic stepping stones with a group of students from Teamwork Englewood. Teamwork Englewood is an organization dedicated to unifying organizations that serve the Englewood community in order to build a stronger local community. Here are bite-sized samples of their creations…

ArtReach at McCutcheon

Thursday, July 19th, 2012, McCutcheon Community School opened their doors for the community to witness the summer camp endeavors their students participated in. ArtReach at Lillstreet was pleased to partner with McCutcheon by sending one of their esteemed art teachers to teach a five week program about two related themes: environment and community engagement.

Artist, Judy Huppert worked to brainstorm a list of “I speak for” words with the 35 or so students in the group. The idea for this project came from Dr. Suess’ The Lorax, which was also the theme for the whole camp.

As the days progressed, Judy had the students drawing and painting pictures of buildings, parks, and nature in the project “starter architecture.” They did this using masking tape grid designs.

For the final week, students were separated into 3 different groups to design community murals that represented Chicago nature without industry. The project was completed using tempera paint on heavy weight roll paper.

When asked what the most successful aspect of the project was, Judy Huppert responded, “The children took away a strong spirit of cooperation, for which I can only take partial credit. They learned to collaborate on a project and ultimately share in the pride of a group accomplishment. Artistically they were coaxed away from the visual clichés children are so easily attracted to when they are not encouraged to experiment with new approaches to art making.”

At the completion of this program Judy found the experience to be very rewarding and gratifying. It was not only great to work with such gifted children but also to work with such a great team of teachers and administrators!

Want to see more photos of McCutcheon?
Check out our Facebook page!

Anatomy of Thought

On Friday, August 3rd, 2012, Flourish Studios will be hosting an opening reception for Anatomy of Thought. The exhibition will feature works by Nancy Pirri and Robin Power. On opening night only, 10% of the proceeds will benefit ArtReach at Lillstreet. Come support the work of ArtReach and these brilliant artists!

Fine Fine Art at AGC

This summer, students at the Academy for Global Citizenship had the opportunity to curate their very own works of art. The school grounds – both inside and out – was decorated with pinatas, mobiles, portraits, paintings, collages, and much more. With the guidance of Jenni Schneiderman and ArtReach teaching artists John Dickson, Aaron Schleichkorn, Meaghan Burritt and Mary Drabik, the young artists put up a spectacular display of creative expression.

        

The Fellowship House

Last month, ArtReach teaching artists Judy Huppert and Melissa Leandro led a ceramics workshop with Chicago Youth Centers at The Fellowship House.  Fitting well with the mission of ArtReach to bring art experiences and resources to under-served communities throughout Chicago, CYC Fellowship House in Bridgeport “is dedicated to improving the lives of low-income, at-risk children and teens through a variety of innovative and effective programs—from early childhood education to and through college.” As Chicago’s largest independent, locally based, multi-site youth services organization, CYC does important work at its 8 neighborhood centers on the South and West Sides of Chicago. Here are some snapshots of the students’ brilliant work and the inspiring space of The Fellowship House.

Art therapy: A way to tell their stories

Art therapy: A way to tell their stories – Boston.com http://ow.ly/caXQe Great article on #art therapy!

Kate McQuillen | prints, paintings, phot

Kate McQuillen | prints, paintings, photography and installation http://ow.ly/caVPp Current Show! Check out this talented young artist!

Guess Who?

Carlos, our newest volunteer, tries out a shiny mustache.

CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming graduation!

Out With the Old & In With the New

On a chilly Wednesday morning, 5 ArtReach teachers, volunteers, and interns arrived at the John C. Coonley Elementary School. Typically, ArtReach would arrive at Coonley bearing bags of clay and jars of underglaze.This time, however, these 5 brave souls carried hammers, chisels and grinding tools. Wearing protective goggles and masks, they painstakingly chiseled and hammered on the old mosaic on the Coonley planters for more than three hours until it could be completely removed. Once the old tiles were taken out, brand new mosaic tiles designed by Coonley students were carefully placed on the planters and lined with more colorful ceramic tiles. The next day, even the rain couldn’t stop the team from finishing the work. With umbrellas in one hand, they used the other to peel off the paper covering the tiles to unveil the students’ works of art. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished piece!