Community Corner
Creative Artistry, Lakeside Celebrate Completion of New Mural
Student artists transform unsightly wall into work of art.
The rear exterior of the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park and Dole Mansion was in need of a bit of TLC.
The small patio and courtyard was not being used as weeds had overgrown the space visible to parents dropping off their children at Creative Artistry School of Fine Arts, also known as the Highland House, 400 Highland Ave., Crystal Lake.
Amber Larsen, a longtime resident partner at Lakeside Legacy, leases the Highland House for Creative Artistry from Lakeside. She and her students had been talking about doing a mural project for some time, she said.
And when it came time to select the perfect place to make their mark with art, the blank wall by the overgrown patio seemed the perfect spot.
"It's the place where the cars pull up," Larsen said. "We talked about doing it someplace else in the community, but decided 'Why not here where we are every day?' The kids and I decided the mural should represent what we are all about at Lakeside."
Lakeside is a community arts center that aims to cultivate creativity.
“Something the public probably doesn’t realize about Lakeside is that we are home to 27 resident artists and musicians who lease studio space, “ said Siobhan Cottone, Lakeside’s executive director.
“We have many hidden gems at Lakeside, and our resident partners are bright treasures. They are photographers, painters, musicians, art educators, tutors, fashion designers, graphic illustrators, recording artists and producers, and the McHenry Youth Orchestra is our largest partner.”
The mural, therefore, includes images of the Historic Dole Mansion, musical instruments, and children and adults painting, and much more.
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First, the sketch was created for the mural. Then, Larsen and her students spent two evenings in the dark using a projector to trace the image on the side of the brick wall.
From there, the 30 student volunteers selected their part the mural to paint. Some kids helped with one image, and others attended nearly every day since the project began in May, painting many parts of the design.
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The project was a collaborative effort between Lakeside and Creative Artistry School of Fine Arts. On Saturday afternoon, the final work of art was revealed and reception was held to celebrate its completion.
The mural includes the following words, “History and creativity keep us connected."“This beautiful property was saved in 2002 and became Lakeside Legacy Arts Park," Larsen said. "The mansion was built in 1865, and the annex as the original country club in 1922, and now we are all here bonded together by the arts.”
Lakeside Legacy Foundation is home to the historic Dole Mansion, Arts Park and ‘the Listening Room’ performance venue. The mission of the organization is to protect and preserve the beautiful 12-acre property for generations to come, and to be a world class community arts center.
More information about Lakeside Legacy Foundation is available at 815-455-8000, or by visiting www.LakesideLegacy.org.
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