Inside Northwest: Rosemont mall unveiling new art installations Friday
The Fashion Outlets of Chicago will unveil its newest pieces of public art Friday, joining 16 other permanent commissions on view at the Rosemont mall.
It includes a seven-story, 4,000-square-foot mural by artist Derrick Adams on the north-facing facade of the shopping center's parking garage. Titled "Fashion Show," the piece is made up of colorful geometric forms and pays tribute to fashion designer Patrick Kelly.
The mural will be paired with a lighting installation called "Fashion Accessories," to be unveiled by December, that will illuminate the canopy of the mall entrance walkway and lead visitors inside.
Artist Chad Kouri's installation of colorful shapes on the mall's grand staircase is interactive; shoppers can send a text to receive a piece of similar digital artwork, which will also appear on a nearby display monitor.
The mall also has a new rotating exhibition of the work of artist Edra Soto in three displays cases. Called "Open 24 Hours," they feature wood shelves and glass bottles found by Soto in her East Garfield Park neighborhood.
The artists will mingle with guests during a free public unveiling and reception from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday.
- Christopher Placek,
cplacek@dailyherald.com
Bartlett Girl Scouts create unique patch
Girl Scout Troop 570 of Bartlett has created a "Born, Built, Grown" patch program to recognize the Illinois Bicentennial this year.
Scouts from across the state will be able to complete requirements to earn the patch celebrating Illinois' 200th anniversary.
"We're thrilled Girl Scout Troop 570 has chosen the Illinois Bicentennial as a patch program," said Stuart Layne, executive director of Illinois Bicentennial in the Office of the Governor.
The idea was sparked when troop co-leader Andrea Kohl attended a bicentennial event at which Gov. Bruce Rauner challenged community groups to show pride in the state and its big anniversary.
Though they consider themselves "city girls," troop members wanted to create a patch that Girl Scouts throughout the entire state could earn.
Troop co-leader Karen Sanders said the girls have enjoyed learning so many aspects of Illinois history, from the number of U.S. presidents that have a connection to the state, to amusing laws that have been on books, such a ban on fishing in Chicago while sitting on a giraffe's neck.
Troop members Lauren Kohl and Katie Sanders have been Girl Scouts since kindergarten, while Bridget Benson and Sara Regan joined in the second grade. All are now high school sophomores.
"We're very proud of them, seeing them want to connect with other girls and other lifestyles in other parts of the state," Karen Sanders said. "They are different girls with different interests, and they joined together to make this happen. Something they did around the dining room table now has a statewide impact."
- Eric Peterson,
epeterson@dailyherald.com
Dist. 220 salutes Special Olympians
Barrington Area Unit District 220's Special Olympics athletes received a salute from the school board this week.
Shandra Nosal, the district's Special Olympics athletic director, noted in a presentation to the board that the program became an official school-sponsored activity this year. Having the official district connection is "a huge step forward."
"We are really appreciative," said Nosal, a teacher at Roslyn Road Elementary School in Barrington.
District 220's Special Olympics program offers year-round sports training and athletic competition for 8- to 22-year-olds with intellectual disabilities. Sports include unified soccer, basketball, and track and field.
School board members exchanged high-fives with the Special Olympians after the presentation about some of the program's recent highlights.
Board President Brian Battle said he enjoys the positive spirit the Special Olympians bring whenever they appear at a meeting with the elected officials.
"You guys have brought a lot of pride (to District 220). Thank you for that," Battle said.
- Bob Susnjara,
bsusnjara@dailyherald.com