St. Charles Arts Council collaborating with international artist for public installation
On Friday, Aug. 20, Amanda Browder, a Brooklyn, New York-based fabric installation artist known internationally for her large-scale works on building exteriors and other public sites will be installing a fabric creation locally on the south-facing, two-story wall of the St. Charles Municipal building. Event time will soon be posted at www.stcharlesartscouncil.org.
Incorporating donated fabric and local volunteers to pin and sew, the public installation will provide a showpiece that celebrates a decade of work the St. Charles Arts Council has achieved in promoting the arts throughout St. Charles and beyond.
"Working with Amanda is a dream come true," said Kathy Hill, St. Charles Arts Council director. "Considering how in demand she is on an international level, we were very lucky to be able to commission her for this project. Her work is very vibrant, colorful, and celebratory. And although the installation is temporary, it's a way to bring the community together - through fabric donations and sewing volunteers - where we can all see the many benefits arts participation brings."
Browder, who was raised in Missoula, Montana, began sewing when she was in third grade launching her lifelong interest in working with fabric. She received an MFA/MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Browder previously submitted the finished design concept to Hill and her committee. She will arrive two weeks ahead of the installation date to supervise the sewing project with local volunteers at a workroom set up in Baker United Methodist Church, near the installation site in downtown St. Charles.
"We're issuing a call for volunteers to help at all levels," Hill added. "We still need more fabric donations, along with people willing to help with its construction - that includes those who can sort fabric, pin or sew."
Ideally, donated fabric should be cotton in brightly colored solids or prints. Donation sites include: Blue Goose Market, 300 S. Second St.; Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave.; St. Charles Municipal Building, 2 E. Main St.; St. Charles Police Station, 1515 W. Main St.; St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave.; and All Things Art Studio, 1106 W. Main St.
A $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts has helped offset some of the expenses, along with the St. Charles Visitors Cultural Commission, local residents, and a grant from the City of St. Charles. Additional fundraising will help underwrite other costs.
The art celebration concludes with an Art Wrap party (tickets required) starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, in the newly renovated Arcada Theater complex at 105 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles.
It includes music, food, beverages and a live auction. Sponsorships for this event are still available from $100 through $1,000. Tickets are $110 per person.
For tickets, sponsorship information, or to volunteer, contact Kathy Hill at (630) 443-3794 or visit www.stcharlesartscouncil.org.
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