Playful and Immersive Rutledge Hall Art Installation Shines a Spotlight on Lincolnwood

At the regular Board of Education meeting on Oct. 5, students from Rutledge Hall introduced the school’s annual art installation project, “Art in the Heart of Lincolnwood.” Joined by art teacher Michelle Wielgosz and music teacher Hillary Schroer, they detailed how the installation focuses on students’ interpretations of their hometown and explores what a playful community is.

Everything in the installation will center on play, according to Wielgosz. Viewers will be able to touch, see, smell, and hear throughout. There will be elements that can be picked up and moved, sections with the distinct sounds of areas around town, and students dressed in costumes. Some aspects will even be in the dark, to simulate night time in Lincolnwood. Principal Aliaa Ibrahim said the installation will be comparable to immersive art experiences at area museums.

To prepare for the installation, students studied three artists for inspiration: 94-year-old Yayoi Kusama, who is known for her playful work with polka dots; Toshiko MacAdam, who designs large-scale interactive crocheted playgrounds; and Mr. Doodle, who creates bold black and white doodles that cover his home, car, clothes, and more.

Students also focused on expanding on last year’s exhibit, in more ways than one. This year’s installation is physically bigger – it will take up more than half of Rutledge Hall’s first floor, once complete. And, for the first time, the public will be able to view it! Families and community members are invited to the gallery opening of “Art in the Heart of Lincolnwood” on Wednesday, Oct. 25, between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.