SUMMER 2005
IN THIS ISSUE:
Meet Art on the Hill
"The Book and Beyond" Reception
"Kids Meet Art"™ School Year 2004/2005 New
Initiatives
Executive Director's Report
Dear Friends,
We've been wearing a lot of hats at the Council these last few months. The schools are rushing to have their "Kids Meet Art"™ ("KMA"™) presentations scheduled before they close for the summer; and we're enjoying the exhibition "The Book and Beyond" with visitors to the galleries every Tuesday and Thursday since the opening reception. Each time I walk around the gallery I stop and read a bit more from one of the books or re-examine a piece and find a new interpretation or idea in the pieces.
One of the secret benefits here at the gallery is being completely surrounded by a show for 2 or 3 months and having the opportunity to see the works and get a new perspective each time I revisit a piece. It allows me to connect information from earlier exhibitions or to reading I have done.
A small committee of Council members and representatives of various municipal organizations in Rolling Meadows are becoming acquainted as all of us begin to plan "Meet Art on the Hill," the September 10th Celebration of the founding of the City of Rolling Meadows. This combined effort recalls other large events the Council has organized at Square D Schneider, OMRON and the Art Fair at Northwest Community Healthcare. Our plate is full as we look towards a summer of planning and details.
I have two special notes of thanks. The first concerns the fact that Mary McKane was looking for a specific grade of cardboard for her new "KMA"™ color wheel art project. She called L & M Corrugated Container Corporation in Zion and they had just what she needed. Mary explained her project and set a time to pick-up the cardboard. On her way out from her home in Chicago she was contemplating how she would have time to cut out and prepare 300 circles for her 8:15 class the next day. She knew it was going to be a long night. When she arrived they handed her a box with all of the 300 disks cut out and ready for the children. She told me she almost started to cry she was so thrilled. Thank you L & M Corrugated Container Corporation, we appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness.
Second, Northrop Corporation has been printing our SPOTLIGHTS since its inception and I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to all the fellows in the print shop for the great job they do on our newsletter. They are so accommodating, helpful and patient. A HUGE thank you to the print shop staff.
In the last year the number of individuals purchasing artwork from our corporate gallery exhibitions has increased thanks to the efforts of some of our Board Members. Roselinde Davis, NWCC Visual Arts Advisor, cares for our Corporate Gallery and organizes a free concert once a month at the Rolling Meadows Library. Roselinde's programs draw a large audience of approximately 100 people. She always introduces the NWCC artist whose work is on display and encourages her audience to view and purchase the art work.
Board Member Jackie Gould from Assurance Agency held a raffle to promote interest in the Corporate Gallery at her office. The winner could choose work valued up to $750.00. The employee chose four of Gale Kuffel's photographs of flowers and added $100.00 of his own money to the purchase. Jackie Gould purchased a piece for her home by Nancy Rayborn; and an employee purchased one of Eric Meyer's photographs, titled Red Fox; the day after his exhibition was installed.
JoAnn Peterson, Northwest Cultural Council President and Vice President Human Resources at Kimball Hill Homes, has purchased a second work from Deanna Goldberg, for her office.
The following works have been purchased by individuals visiting NWCC Corporate Galleries.
Diane Ward
Still Water
Watercolor
Rolling Meadow Library
Nancy Rayborn
Rooftops
Oil
Assurance Agency
Robert Kwas
Long
Shadows Watercolor
Rolling Meadows
Library
Robert Kwas
New
Leaf Watercolor
Rolling Meadows Library
Robert Kwas
Blue
Darner Watercolor
Rolling Meadows Library
Gale Kuffel
Study of Flanders Poppies
Photo
Assurance Agency
Gale Kuffel
The Dreamer
Photo
Assurance Agency
Gale Kuffel
Narcissus in a Spring Garden
Photo
Assurance Agency
Gale Kuffel
Amaryllis and Carnations
Photo
Assurance Agency
Eric Meyer
Fox
Dance Photo
Rolling Meadows Library
Eric Meyer
Dall
Sheep Portrait Photo
Rolling Meadows Library
Eric Meyer
Red
Fox
Photograph
Assurance Agency
Deanna Goldberg
Red Sky at Night
Photograph
Kimball Hill Homes
Beverly Miotke
Snapdragons
Watercolor
Northwest
Community Hospital
Beverly Miotke
Pansies
Watercolor
Northwest Community Hospital
Beverly Miotke
Olde Roses
Watercolor
Northwest Community Hospital
Ruth Cournoyer
The Chili Jamboree
Book
NWCC/KH Gallery
Exhibition
Pam Lowrie
Hand
Made Book Book
The
Book and Beyond
The first juried photograph from the photography competition, Man and Nature arrived from Virginia, just this morning. I hope you'll be at the awards reception on June 11 from 1-3 to enjoy the beautiful photographic works of art with me.
Sincerely,
Kathy Umlauf
MEET ART ON THE HILL
A 50th Anniversary Celebration
of the Founding of the City of Rolling Meadows
The Board of Directors of the City of Rolling Meadows invited the Northwest Cultural Council (NWCC) to help them organize an Art Day as one of twelve events celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the City's founding. We are pleased to be a part of such an important milestone.
On September 10 the day will begin at 1:00 with the Council's "Kids Meet Art"™ ("KMA"™) Bag Piper playing and inviting the visitors to follow him into the park to enjoy the days' offerings.
From 1:00 to 3:30 the visitors can listen to and dance to the sound of a banjo, guitar and square dance caller. Kids can have a pony ride and hop on a choo-choo train for a scenic ride around the park. As families stroll the park they will be greeted by the Council's mime, clowns, a stilt walker, and a favorite at our outdoor events - a monkey and organ grinder. After watching Rolling Meadows resident Yo Yo MAN and listening to one or all of the storytellers, one who is a member of the Rolling Meadows Library staff, telling Hispanic stories, children and parents can visit the "KMA"™ tent. The "KMA"™ tent offers six hands on craft projects to create, including a bookmark to commemorate the day. Face painters will be stationed in the tent ready with their paintbrushes to decorate faces, arms and hands, with flowers, snakes and all kinds of imaginary and fanciful objects that delight a child.
At 3:30 we all move into the BIG TENT for three acts: Las Guitaras de Espana with six musicians and a Flamenco dancer playing Spanish music; THE BEAR CLAN SINGERS AND DANCERS, American Indians in full costume performing traditional dances; and a Brass Band playing rousing tunes celebrating America closes the program. There will be a special time set aside to recognize the Hill family and present David and Diane Hill with a piece of art work produced by a Northwest Cultural Council artist and a plaque presented by the City in appreciation of the family's dedication to Rolling Meadow's growth.
Everyone is invited to enjoy all the activities and there are no entry fees or charges for any of the programs. The entire day has been underwritten by David Hill, President and CEO of Kimball Hill Homes, and Rolling Meadows City, Park District, and Library. A small committee of NWCC volunteers, staff and representatives of the Rolling Meadows City, Park District, and Library, are organizing the day. A thank you and the names of all volunteers, along with photos, will appear in the October/November/December issue of SPOTLIGHTS.
See you all at Meet Art on the Hill
Saturday, September 10th
Kimball Hill Park
1:00-5:30
THE BOOK AND BEYOND
RECEPTION APRIL 17, 2005
In 1990 Kathy Stanaszek, a member of Countryside Art Center in Arlington Heights, became the chair of the Council's Corporate Gallery Program. Kathy invited many of the Countryside artists to exhibit at NBD Bank and Zurich US, our first Corporate Galleries. Equally talented and like minded women have joined some of the original Countryside members to form a new organization named "Twenty-Two". Several of these friends rent studio space together in Barrington.
Our desire for a book show led us back to our former associates and Ruth Cournoyer. Ruth challenged the group to create imaginative books that opened a new chapter in the concept of artists' books. This new dimension allows artists to create experimental projects that stimulate our imagination. One Northwest Cultural Council artist and several members of the "Twenty-Two" group along with artists from the studio exhibited in THE BOOK AND BEYOND.
Our thanks to Sue and Bill Pasquale, a voice and guitar duo, who were kind enough to donate their time and talent to entertain visitors at the exhibition.
"Kids Meet Art"™
School Year 2004/2005 New Initiatives
Two new initiatives have expanded the number of students that benefit from "Kids Meet Art"™ ("KMA"™).
Through the Council's "KMA"™ Showcases that take place in October at the NWCC and Kimball Hill galleries, schools' PTA/PTO Presidents, Cultural Arts Chairs, Art teachers and Principals have learned about our programs. They have asked their schools' parents organizations to sponsor "KMA"™ for their students. We are pleased that both school administrators and parents recognize the value of "KMA"™ and the solid, creative learning experiences our presenters offer. PTA Arts committee member Elizabeth Gross from Coventry School in Crystal Lake is the first new parents' organization to choose a date and presenter for the 2005/2006 year. We look forward to the continued support of our current sponsors and including additional parent organization sponsored "KMA"™ programs next year.
David Hill, President and CEO of Kimball Hill Homes, Inc., awarded the Council $25,000 and created a matching challenge grant to bring "KMA"™ to School District U-46 in Elgin. If the Council can raise $40,000 for "KMA"™ in Elgin he will give NWCC an additional $15,000. David's grant has allowed us to bring "KMA"™ to 5 schools in Elgin School District U-46 this year. David and his wife Diane have been faithful supporters of the Northwest Cultural Council since its inception 16 years ago. His grant validates "KMA"™.
"Kids Meet Art"™ at Westgate School
Dr. Warren Schillingburg is an innovative principal who arranges an annual Arts Day. He gives his students the opportunity to explore all genre of the arts through hands-on activities like our "KMA"™ presentations, and as members of the audience watching dance and listening to musical performances. The four artists pictured presented "KMA"™ programs at Westgate's Art Day this year.
"Kids Meet Art"™ at Liberty Elementary
Hanan Morrisard, PTA Cultural Arts Chair, and Principal Kristin Corriveau worked together to choose six appropriate programs for their students at Liberty School in Carpentersville. This was the second year "KMA"™ presenters visited Liberty during their Arts Week.
"Kids Meet Art" at St. Raymond's School
Our Board Member Sue Sana worked with her sister Carol Semarau, a teacher at St. Raymond's, to introduce "KMA"™ to the school. Cultural Arts Chair Patty Wosick visited our Showcase and chose 4 programs. We are pleased to welcome St. Raymond's as the first parochial school to experience "KMA"™. The artists look forward to visiting there again.
"Kids Meet Art" at Gray Sanborn
Joanna Angelopoulos, the art teacher at Gray Sanborn suggested that her PTA sponsor "KMA"™ for their students. The parents, faculty and students were all delighted with mime Gary DeVar. Joanna has worked with the Council to schedule "KMA"™ presentations in schools for the last 3 years.
We are deeply grateful to the foundations and corporations that currently continue to sponsor "KMA"™:
Cornerstone National Bank & Trust Company
Harris Bank Palatine
Kimball Hill Homes, Inc.
McGraw Foundation
Square D Schneider Electric Company
TARGET