MCC student art enlivens State's Attorney's office
When the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office was scheduled for repainting last year, State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said he had a choice of three colors - taupe and two other shades of taupe.
The freshly painted office suite resulted in a dull appearance, so he considered decorating the walls with colorful artwork.
With no budget for artwork, he was on the lookout for donated art, until he came to an event at McHenry County College and thought of the idea to partner with MCC to showcase student artwork.
"I attended a Multi-Chamber Mixer at the college and the food made by the culinary students was exquisite," Kenneally said. "I thought that if students could create food this delicious, what about artwork from students at MCC?" he said.
The seed for collaboration was planted, and last May the State's Attorney's Office and the college teamed up to launch the Art for Justice Project, a partnership to display MCC student artwork on a rotating and temporary basis. About every four months, Kenneally and Lisa Ryan, administrative manager from the State's Attorney's Office, select artwork from the MCC Student Art Exhibit at the college or from the MCC Satellite Gallery at the Old Courthouse on the Woodstock Square.
Up to 10 pieces of artwork are displayed throughout the entire office suite, including the law library, conference room and reception area.
"The artwork has breathed life into this place," Kenneally said. "It has an effect on the spirit of the office, but in an intellectual sense. It brings the office together because people talk about it. It's thoroughly enjoyed here, and everybody's interpretation is so different."
Ryan said the artwork has boosted the ambience.
"It has brought a lot of joy with beautiful paintings that brighten up a very nondescriptive office."
Norman Vinton, chief of the civil division, agreed, saying, "It has created a spirited reaction."
One piece, titled "Yellow Footprints" by MCC graduate Taylor Jensen, has provoked the most reaction among staff members so far. The oil on canvas painting depicts a faceless Guatemalan girl in a yellow dress standing against a colorful brickwork pattern. ]
One assistant state's attorney won the office Halloween costume contest last October by wearing an outfit that mimicked the painting.
"Some people loved it, some were scared of it and swore off walking past the library," Kenneally said. "But that's what art is. That piece of art is doing its job."
When it comes time to return a batch of artwork, Kenneally said it's difficult to part with it because staff members get attached to the pieces, but it's a program he plans to continue into the future.
"The partnership with the college is a huge win-win," Kenneally said. "We've received such a wonderful, positive response from employees, lawyers, witnesses and victims," he said, adding that the artwork has a calming effect on people coming into the office to testify, or victims who are scared and apprehensive.
"I think it's a wonderful partnership between the State's Attorney's Office and the college," said Sandra Lang, MCC exhibit curator. "It's a great opportunity for student artists because it provides positive exposure for their work and for the fine arts at MCC."