Artist-interns create, curate Side Street Studio Arts 'Awake' exhibit

Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court in downtown Elgin, will be host to a weeklong exhibit of artwork created and curated by artist-interns Bobby Rowland and Griffin Thorne, entitled "Awake."

The exhibit is a temporary art installation utilizing not only the gallery, but also its upper-level Next Door Theater. The display will be a combination of illustrative, fine art, abstract and representational works.

"Awake" opens Wednesday, Sept. 2, and there will be a gallery reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. The event is open to the public with a $5 suggestion donation at the door.

"The installation is intended to explore self realization and the ways in which individual life experiences produce unique human personalities," said Rowland, an Elgin ArtSpace Lofts resident. "Examining the formation of separate identities accompanied by respective filters for participation in life and relationships."

Side Street's artist-intern program launched during the summer of 2013 and has since seen 11 young artists participate in the program. The professional practice program is designed to help young artists as they find and explore different entrepreneurship and artistic methods. At the culmination of the experience, with guidance from directors and staff, an exhibition or production is created from an ongoing archive of each artist's work. Artists explore best practices for managing, editing, and install work, and become an integral part of the support staff.

Side Street Studio Arts was founded in 2013 by Tanner Melvin and Erin Rehberg as an outlet for the Elgin arts scene. Currently under the direction of Amanda Harris, Melvin and Rehberg, it provides educational and creative resources and an accessible space, run by artists. Its mission is to support the artist and artistic journey through collaboration. For more information on the artist-intern program or any of its programs, visit www.SideStreetStudioArts.org, call (847) 429-2276 or email SideStreetStudioArts@gmail.com.