Spanish artist works on West Chicago project

The West Chicago City Museum and People Made Visible Inc. will welcome international artist-in-residence Irene Pérez through Thursday, Sept. 12.

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 that will be on display at the City Museum through Saturday, Sept. 28. 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 with Pérez will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at the West Chicago City Museum, 132 Main St., as part of Late Night at the City Museum.

Those wishing to be interviewed or learn more about the project may contact Sara Phalen at sphalen@westchicago.org or (630) 231-3376. For 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.