Meghan, one of our EAC Interns, writes about Evanston Made's collaboration with Evanston Paints, displayed in our Second Floor Gallery from June 1 - June 28, 2024:
As a new intern at the Evanston Art Center in early June, one of my most vivid memories from those initial days is observing the process of the Evanston Made Show’s installation. While I was intrigued by many pieces in the main level gallery, created by exceptionally skilled artists, it was the colorful, expansive exhibit in the upstairs atrium that truly captured my imagination. The first time I passed it, I was struck by the inviting atmosphere, bathed in natural light streaming through tall, vibrant flowers painted on the glass. It felt refreshingly messy, childish, and playful—all things I wasn’t necessarily expecting from this refined art gallery setting.
Soon after, I was asked to assist Kathe Stoepel in setting up this installation, which I learned was named “Evanston Paints.” As I climbed the ladder to hang various works, Kathe shared with me the origins of these lively paintings: an art workshop for all ages inspired by Herve Tullet’s Art of Play. Tullet, a celebrated author and artist, urges people of every age to create with a sense of joy and spontaneity. This sentiment is exactly what I felt while arranging and placing these pieces, as well as helping Kathe create a crumpled paper sculpture to complement the exhibit. Instead of a polished, technical approach, we dove in with our bare hands, crumpling painted paper, letting the ink stain our fingers, and shaping and reshaping the sculpture as we pleased.
This memory helped underscore the EAC’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, something that is not always found in the art world. Here, everyone is invited to express themselves, engage in art-making, and simply enjoy. Whether visitors to our exhibitions, students in our classes, or employees working behind the scenes, the EAC can be a sanctuary for people of all backgrounds to find joy and explore the arts freely.
