Evanston, IL
1717 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Melissa Blount
The Myth and the Magic
Shortly after reconstruction, national and local governments—with the support of many private white citizens—began a campaign to minimize and erase the brutal history of slavery in our country. This came in the form of the production of films like Birth of a Nation, the erection of monuments to traitorous confederates, and the glorification of the mammy and minstrel stereotypes. The Mississippi chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy initiated one such effort by lobbying their State Senator, John Sharp Williams, to sponsor a bill that would provide public land and public funds for a mammy memorial. The New Journal and Guide reported on March 10, 1923, “The Senate a few hours before adjourning passed the bill sponsored by Senator Williams of Mississippi, providing for the erection of a monument to the memory of the ‘Faithful Colored Mammies’ of the South.”
The only reason a mammy monument doesn’t exist on our National Mall today is due to the fierce and poignant protest of African Americans. Historian Dr. Sarah A. Morgan Smith writes, “Mary Church Terrell (1863–1954)—the daughter of two former slaves—organized her colleagues in the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to protest the proposal, drawing attention to the complex intersection of race and gender in the history of African American women.”
Much of my artwork attempts to explore the tragedy and harm of white supremacy while also celebrating the journey of Black people from enslaved persons to that of self-directed and liberated human beings. This installation juxtaposes the racist magnification of the “mammy myth” to the hidden brilliance of Black women by featuring portraits of three such women who lived and worked during the 1920s: Dr. Isabella Garnett Butler, Naomi Pollard Dobson and Dorothy Magett-Fiddmont. These images were created as hand-embroidered portraits on vintage lace textiles. The pieces were then photographed, vectorized, enlarged, and printed on paper, which was then applied to the Evanston Art Center building exterior with wheat paste.
Each of these women, whose contributions were discovered while doing research for this project, have ties to Evanston. This project encourages viewers to unearth the hidden histories of Black women in their own communities.
1507 Lake Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Brian Petrone
Adrift
“Adrift” is a series of iceberg sculptures that have washed up in a front yard. Perhaps these are remnants of the polar caps, having been deposited here by the rising sea. They stand as heralds, warning of a future in which action is not taken. Each piece is sculpted from reclaimed polystyrene blocks that have been diverted from the landfill, then coated in a protective cementitious shell.
2315 Ridge Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Lindsay Johnson
Rest
Like the intentional pause in a musical score, there is a break from the daily noise of my busy life: a sunset walk around the neighborhood with my spouse and dog. Life gets quiet. The sky is changing. The clouds are magical. This gift is a reminder to be present, calm, and in awe of life. A brief but welcome rest before the tempo picks back up. As you ponder this year’s Terrain theme: “Mycelium Connection,” a thriving interconnected ecosystem - ask yourself: How can connecting with nature provide respite in your days and help you thrive?
2023, Mixed Media
1127 Dewey Ave
Evanston, IL 60202
Krissi Turpin
Meet Me Outside, (From Six Feet Away, Please.)
Is it too soon to talk about to talk about lockdown? Though our hearts are still tender from so much loss, there's much to consider about what we’ve lived, and are still living through. Its fair to say that during lockdown, home felt too confined. In contrast, we gained some breathing room and revitalization from the outdoors. We all had moments of feeling alone, despite sharing in the same crisis. While these boxes don’t represent the full range of experiences in lockdown, I’m hoping at least one of the scenes will make you smile, reflect, or feel seen.
1125 Florence Ave
Evanston, IL 60202
Gabriella Boros
Tap Root
This project was inspired by my fearful observation of societies ripping apart. This is my response to the rending of countries, cultures and religions despite the fact that we humans are all related which is proven by our DNA.
As often as we have been forcibly uprooted, we have set down new roots and sprung up changed and marked by our new land. Our roots bind us one to the other, creating a strong international web which holds us all together no matter how we present above ground. This print was created to inspire us to tangle together in unity.
1231 Oak Ave
Evanston, IL 60202
Maggie Leininger - 10 Fold Projects
Mother Tree
Installation of crocheted pods filled with seeds that will nurture the animal dwellers that coexist in our urban habitat.
1415 Wesley Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
Julie Rivera
Traces: Greenwood Beach, July 2023
In July, I documented Greenwood beach in Evanston. For 31 days I collected one piece of plastic off the sand, photographed the plastic before I removed it and took a photo of Lake Michigan. Plastic is everywhere and most is diverted to landfills. Forever plastics (PFAS) are even in our drinking water. Whether we like it or not, plastic connects us. My piece was created using recycled plastic for the sky and water, plastic I collected from the beach, and sand.
♲ WARNING: TO AVOID DANGER OF CONSUMPTION KEEP ALL PLASTIC OUT OF OUR LAKES, OCEANS AND WATERWAYS.