St. Charles Arts Council plans fabric outdoor art project this summer

The exterior of the St. Charles Municipal Building will be getting a splash of color this summer.

Last week the city's aldermen approved the St. Charles Art Council's request for a fabric art installation on the blank, flat facade of the building facing Main Street at the northwest corner of Main and North Riverside Avenue. They also approved a request for $2,500 from the city to help pay for the project.

The installation was scheduled for last summer, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it. The plan now is for the installation to be displayed from Aug. 20 through Sept. 8.

"We want this to make a big splash," said St. Charles Arts Council Director Kathy Hill. "We don't want to put it up and have it be stagnant. We want people there enjoying it. It won't be the whole building but at least we'll be able to do that wall."

Hill, who became the St. Charles Arts Council director 18 months ago, said New York-based artist Amanda Browder has been commissioned to design and coordinate the project. Browder has displayed similar colorful fabric art installations throughout the country and around the world.

The St. Charles Arts Council received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts while the remainder of the expenses will be paid through fundraising and cost cutting. Browder, for example, will stay with Hill while she's in town.

Much of the project experience involves the community. Volunteers will be asked to help with the sewing, and fabric donations are encouraged.

"That's one of the many beautiful things about this community, so many positive people," Hill said. "It'll be fun. It'll be different. I'm very optimistic this will come off without a hitch."