Art in Algonquin.

Remember when I mentioned an art event in Algonquin? Well I went to it! Their public art program is incredible. Artists lend their pieces to be put on display publicly–some on the street, others in schools and public buildings. Click here to read all about it. (As an urban planner myself, I must note that Algonquin’s planner Ben Mason seems to be the one who came up with this great idea.)

Here are a bunch of photos I took at the event. I promised myself I’d remember artists’ names, but sadly my memory broke that promise and I cannot find the names online. If anyone knows, please comment!

This one was probably my favorite.

I felt smart because that was my guess at the meaning, based on the titles.

These motivate me to be more adventuresome in my painting. Next time I paint I think I’ll go outside first and grab handfuls of stuff to throw in there with it.

This gigantic boat is made out of toothpicks. No, not joking.

A close up.

Apparently this lights up, but we didn’t get to see that.

Kudos on the solar panels.

If you know me at all, you can probably guess what I’m going to write next: Elgin, let’s do something like this!

Also, there were delightful sweets at the event and I grabbed a business card of the pastry company then promptly lost it. If you know the name, comment, because they deserve lots of business!

Tags: Algonquin, art, events, Illinois, pastries, photography, public art, sweets, urban planning
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Free art event in Algonquin.

There’s an art open house tonight in Algonquin that I think I might check out. It’s free! I like art, and sometimes there is free food at that sort of thing. Cross your fingers! Here’s the description:

The village of Algonquin and Algonquin Public Arts Commission will hold its annual spring art open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the village hall, 2200 Harnish Drive. The event, which is free and open to the general public, will give area residents a chance to learn about Algonquin’s award-winning public art program, as well as meet public arts commission members and view some of their work. More than 15 fine art pieces created by commission members will be on display, in addition to other artwork being exhibited this year as part of the public art program. For more information about the open house, contact Village Planner Ben Mason at (847) 658-4184.

Tags: Algonquin, art, events, Illinois, open house, public art
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DC Merry-go-round installation.

Mark Jenkins and friends turned some average lightposts into a Merry-go-round installation lats February. Awesome Mark & friends!

Here is a photo from flickr:

And a youtube video of how it all went down:

Any creatives in Elgin who want to band with me to do something awesome like this, send an email! jessica.elgin@mac.com

Tags: Mark Jenkins, public art, Washington D.C.
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Fun in Festival Park.

On one of those record-breaking warm days last week I walked around downtown Elgin with my man. We sauntered over to Festival Park, which was smaller than I expected, but so fun that I think the name of it should be FUNstival Park. Okay, that’d just be dumb. BUT, here are videos of me playing with giant instruments in FUNFestival Park. You will like these because they are 20 seconds or shorter each.

Note Ma’Goach is scared of the big drum.

Tags: Elgin, Festival Park, Funstival Park, Illinois, music, park, parks, public art, recreation, videos, vlog, vlogs, youtube
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Cool Globes!

DISCLOSURE: I was asked to write about this topic via e-mail. Often times I do not write about a topic when I am asked, but since this is Chicago and related to the environment, I thought I’d share it.

Essentially, the public art that has been around Chicago all summer is going to be auctioned off this week at www.coolglobes.org. The money goes to environmental efforts in Chicago. Read below for the text I was sent.

(Photo from chicagophotos.blogspot.com)

COOL GLOBES “RECYCLES” GLOBES BY BILL CLINTON, ROBERT REDFORD, MAGIC JOHNSON, TONY BENNETT AND MORE

Online auction of artist and celebrity-designed globes to benefit
environmental education for Chicago youth

For one week only, select large and mini-globes from this summer’s “Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet” exhibit in Chicago will be auctioned to raise funds for the Chicago Conservation Corp Clubs, which provide environmental education opportunities for Chicago’s youth.

The good news? Potential buyers of these works of art don’t have to be in Chicago to buy one. The auction will take place online, hosted by eBay.

The globes are part of Cool Globes, a project that uses the medium of public art to increase awareness about and inspire individuals and organizations to take action against global warming.

Artists from around the world designed the globes, each depicting a potential solution to global warming. About 200 mini-globes were also created for the exhibit and ongoing education initiatives.

Among the globes to be auctioned are mini-globes from:
• Bill Clinton
• Robert Redford
• David Schwimmer
• Tobey Maguire
• Eva Mendes
• Rob Corddry
• Jenny Lennon and the cast of “Reno 911”
• Magic Johnson
• Dave Winfield
• Chicago Bear Tommie Harris
• Tony Bennett
• BB King
• Heather Headley
• The Gypsy Kings

Details for the Cool Globes online auction are as follows:

WHEN: Begins—Monday, November 26 at 9:00 a.m.
Ends—Monday, December 3 at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: To view globes or place a bid in the online auction, visit www.coolglobes.org.

Tags: auction, charity, Cool Globes, environment, public art
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