Sharing art ‘in a different kind of way’: Little galleries coming to Mundelein
Mundelein’s growing reputation as a community that values public art soon will get a boost from small boxes containing paintings, sculptures or other objets d’art for visitors to enjoy.
Three house-shaped, pole-mounted pantries are planned, courtesy of the Mundelein Arts Commission. As with the Little Free Libraries that have become ubiquitous across the Chicago area and nation, people will be encouraged to take an artistic creation or leave one for someone else to treasure.
The mini art galleries will be among the first of their kind in the suburbs, according to a website dedicated to the hobby. They may be the first in Lake County.
“It’s a way for artists to share art in a different kind of way,” said Mundelein Arts Commission member Chris Woodard, who’s heading the project. “And it's a way for the community to acquire art in a different sort of way.”
Hawaiian inspiration
Woodard developed the project after coming across an art exchange box outside a public library in Makawao, Hawaii. The small structure contained pottery and sketches, she recalled; a message on the glass door said “Take Art Leave Art.”
Woodard thought such a structure would be a good fit for Mundelein — a town that, in her words, is trying “to help people understand the importance of art in people’s lives.”
The arts commission subsequently proposed a plan to the village board, which gave the group the green light last week.
The pantries will be erected near the pollinator garden in Courtland Commons, 400 E. Courtland St.; at the Archer Business Center, 175 N. Archer Ave.; and in a lot near Diamond Lake that’s adjacent to Bill’s Pizza, 624 S. Lake St.
“They’re in three different parts of town, which’ll be nice,” Woodard said. “They’re very accessible, but they’re not on the beaten path.”
Volunteers with the Mundelein-based Tool Library of Lake County are building the pantries. Local artists will be invited to paint them, which will make each box a unique piece of public art.
Installation should happen this summer, with assistance from the village’s beautification committee and the public works department.
Woodard will monitor the galleries to ensure they remain clean and safe and only contain acceptable objects.
Artistic connections
According to an interactive map at the volunteer-run website freelittleartgalleries.art, similar galleries can be found in Batavia, Elmhurst, Naperville and a few other suburbs, as well as select spots in Chicago.
One is outside the yet-to-open Creative Cup coffee house at 1320 Waukegan Road in Glenview. Owner Angela Murphy launched the compact gallery in November as a way to connect with the community before her shop was ready for customers.
The initial pieces in Murphy’s gallery were watercolors she painted and sketches from her 13-year-old daughter, Shae. Visitors have since contributed paintings, decorated rocks and mixed-media creations.
“I've had people tell me they stop by just to see what's new inside,” said Murphy, of Park Ridge. “It's become such a fun little way for people to leave a mark, connect with others in the community and sometimes even share really sweet words of encouragement.”
‘Bringing people together’
Mundelein long has embraced public art. Village-backed projects have included murals and painted cows and stars.
“One of the most rewarding things we've seen over the last several years is the way the arts are bringing people together in Mundelein,” said Colleen Malec, the village’s liaison to the arts commission. “We're seeing talented artists come out of the woodwork, more residents engaging with arts programming and a real sense of community forming around creativity.”
Mundelein Trustee Erich Schwenk credited the commission for giving the village an artistic push.
“They have truly helped Mundelein evolve into a dedicated, arts-focused community,” Schwenk said.