International artist-in-residence project to center on meaning of "home"

The West Chicago City Museum, in collaboration with People Made Visible, Inc., will welcome international Artist-in-Residence Irene Pérez to West Chicago August 25 through September 12, 2013. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Pérez will be in the community working on her project “Setting Up House-West Chicago". She will meet with local residents to gather oral histories of how people see their homes, and the stories and memories residents have around the places they have called home.

As the project evolves during the artist's residency, the histories she gathers will be incorporated into textiles she will create. These will be on display at the City Museum through September 28, 2013. Alongside the exhibit will be West Chicago house histories, including some of the many homes that were relocated throughout the City.

An Artist's Reception will be held for Pérez on Friday, September 6, 2013 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the West Chicago City Museum as part of Late Night at the City Museum. The City Museum is located at 132 Main Street, West Chicago.

Those wishing to be interviewed or learn more about the project should contact Sara Phalen at sphalen@westchicago.org or (630) 231-3376. For more information on the artist or any of her work, visit her website at www.ireneperez.net.

The West Chicago Artist-in-Residency Program has been bringing contemporary artists to West Chicago to conduct social-based art projects since 2008 with support from the City of West Chicago, the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, the West Chicago City Museum, St. Michael's United Church of Christ and People Made Visible, Inc.