Current and Past Projects
project greenway
Project greenway
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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People For Community Recovery
Respair Media
Elevated Chicago
Chicago Architecture Center
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The Public Art Initiative in Altgeld Gardens
This initiative stems from “A City Planning Project for Altgeld Gardens.” Students were vocal about the immediate installation of public art in Altgeld Gardens being a priority for them. Collective Learning Lab created a curriculum based in the exploration of expression through the arts in order to inform the designs of the students. The Public Art Initiative in Altgeld Gardens is a project that focuses on thoughtful community-centered public art design created by 8th grade students of Aldridge Elementary School.
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Art Critique
Students looked at examples of public art from around the world through the lens of basic art critique – description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation – and discover which “stories” speak to them. They learned and used shared vocabulary like "feeling," "texture," "color," and "light" to talk about the works. Students then talked about their own designs through the same critical lens and decided as a class which pieces spoke to them.
Public Art in Chicago
We explored how public art gets made in Chicago. The students learned what they need to complete in order to contribute to a proposal to Chicago Housing Authority and the Alderman of Altgeld Gardens.
Collage
Students used collage to experiment with different types of materials like newspaper, magazine, tissue paper, patterned paper and were able to play with color and design in order to practice expression through art.
Poetic Expression
Poet Rachel DeWoskin taught the students the poetry form, Haiku. The students were guided to express themselves through language and also created poetry as a class and individually to be installed in their future community gathering space.
Design Development & Installation
Sculptor Jina Valentine came to the class to present on her current installation at the O'Hare Airport. She discussed the design and installation process with students and then discussed their vision of their community gathering space and public art proposal. Students got a glimpse into how to put theory into practice. Students were pushed to think about the longevity of public art, why they wanted it and for what purpose.
Movement Arts
Peter Gaona, professional dancer and educator, came to the classroom to show us another side of public art, movement and dance. The students learned a routine and were able to experience a new way of expression through art.
Community Action: Heart Park Proposal
Through workshops and design sessions, students ultimately proposed an interactive heart sculpture that will be prominently placed on top of a constructed grassy mound. The structure will be encompassed by a designed landscape featuring native plants and places to sit. The space is intended to be a welcoming, gathering, and meditative space, as well as an open laboratory for classrooms and children that inspires creative and free play. The poetry created by the eighth grade students will be accented throughout the garden on plaques.
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Community Action: Heart Park Proposal
Through workshops and design sessions, students ultimately proposed an interactive heart sculpture that will be prominently placed on top of a constructed grassy mound. The structure will be encompassed by a designed landscape featuring native plants and places to sit. The space is intended to be a welcoming, gathering, and meditative space, as well as an open laboratory for classrooms and children that inspires creative and free play. The poetry created by the eighth grade students will be accented throughout the garden on plaques.
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What do you want your grandchildren to know about you with this public art?
"I want to leave a positive message behind and I want to let everyone know that I somewhat made my community better."
"The effort that has been put into this artwork."
"I want to be remembered as an inspirational artist and very good at what I do."
"I want them to know that I was an innovator and a creator."
"I want my grandkids to know that I was very kind, smart, flamboyant, and intellectual."
"I want them to know my legacy and what I left for them and to show what I know."
"I lived my life with power and peace."
"I want to be remembered for how I did good in life and my creations."
"I want them to know that I was very smart."
"I want to be remembered as a kind-hearted person"
"They’ll remember me as a creative person who decided to make change for the better."
"I want them to know that I love to show love to other people and I hope everyone has a good life"
"I want to be remembered as a leader who was also creative."
"I want to be remembered as the best man and the funny man who was always helping other people and doing the best thing."
"I want my grandkids to think of me as the person who saw the positive light in things and people."
More projects
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Collective Learning Lab built a curriculum for Ray Elementary preschool students centering on indigenous food from the midwest. PreK students were asked to think about what makes plants healthy, what foods are native to Chicago, and why healthy soil important. Students prepped a garden bed, planted seed, tasted native foods, and cooked indigenous foods with Chef Jessica.
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Project Windows is a window display contest created by The Art Institute of Chicago to promote their upcoming exhibits. Georgia O’Keeffe: “My New Yorks” was 2024's inspiration for designs. For the first time in Project Windows history, CLL created a pathway for students in Chicago Public Schools to participate. 5th and 7th grade art classes created art for the window displays of two local businesses in Bronzeville, Chicago, where their school resides. Curriculum focused on art critique, Bronzeville's art history, built environment, Georgia O'Keefe's work and student introspective on their own Chicago.
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We are partnering with Land for Public Trust People For Community Recovery and the middle school students of Aldridge Elementary to explore the needs and wants of the community in connection to the upcoming installation of the Red Line Extension in Altgeld Gardens.
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