A VISUAL MEMOIR is a solo retrospective of Cassandra Swierenga’s art practice,
exhibited the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum from September 7 through October 18, 2024. The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 13.  

This exhibition, titled A VISUAL MEMOIR, will feature selections from various
collections Swierenga has created over the years. The showcased pieces will include works from the watercolor Black Bird Farm series, the Rock and Water series in oils and watercolor, and her abstract watercolor series. Additionally, her latest graphite series, Looking in the Mirror, will complete the show with over 40 plus small portraits of people.These portraits demonstrate a wide range of facial expressions that can be conveyed through simple lines and shading.  


EAG Opening Reception:  A VISUAL MEMOIR 

6pm - Early access for museum members and exhibition VIPS; [RSVP required](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegDXPrG9Yz6HkM0-7qqIDzTLeHzoPsNApIJWC9B1YwFRF-Ig/viewform).

7pm - Non-member tickets available at [this link](https://shop.elmhurstartmuseum.org/collections/online-shop/products/rafael-blanco-opening-reception-ticket).

Be the first to see new murals by Rafael Blanco. In *Rafael Blanco: Reflecting on a Decade of Public Art*, a solo exhibition by renowned muralist Rafael Blanco, the artist reimagines previously unapproved mural projects from his decade-long career as a public artist. The exhibition includes new mural-sized paintings created specifically for this exhibition.   

Enjoy a celebratory drink, light bites, and entertainment including a performance by the Conrad Fisher Elementary Singers Dual Language Program. View the major community collaboration by the Elmhurst Art Museum, Rafael Blanco, and over 100 student artists from Elmhurst and surrounding areas reflecting on their identity.    

This exhibition is sponsored by Wintrust Bank with additional support from the Tom Watson and Mary Cunningham Family Charitable Fund, the Illinois Arts Council, Discover DuPage, and Enjoy Illinois.   

Artwork Image: Rafael Blanco. *Find the Hero Within* (detail), 2024. 113” x 182”


Opening Reception - Rafael Blanco: Reflecting on a Decade of Public Art

We invite you to dive into the art of make-believe worlds and creative characters. Works in Designing Donkey Hodie: From Make-Believe to Someplace Else serve as inspiration to dream up another land and create a world that tells a unique story using the creative processes found within the exhibition. 

*Donkey Hodie* is produced by [Fred Rogers Productions](https://www.fredrogers.org/about/) and [Spiffy Pictures](https://www.spiffypictures.com/about-us). The series is created by Adam Rudman and David Rudman of Spiffy Pictures and developed by Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer of Fred Rogers Productions. Executive producers are Doherty, Adam Rudman, and David Rudman.

*Designing Donkey Hodie: From Make-Believe to Someplace Else* is sponsored by DuPage Foundation and Explore Elmhurst with additional support from Lakeside Bank and WTTW.

![Sponsors](//images.ctfassets.net/df2y673eghyz/4NYzk6bW4icrQGnsnXTHuH/4f1e0e1f36444b4328cfb039ee364034/sponsor_logos-wo_WTTW_jause1.jpg)

Image: Behind the Scenes of *Donkey Hodie*, Courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions. DONKEY HODIE © 2021, The Fred Rogers Company. All rights reserved.

Designing Donkey Hodie From Make-Believe to Someplace Else Elmhurst Art Museum Fred Rogers Spiffy Pictures PBS WTTW kids television TV show family-friendly things to do hands-on in western suburbs summer activities for families puppet behind the scenes

Family Day: Creative Storytelling

Join us to learn more about the unique history and design of Mies van der Rohe's 1952 McCormick House.

Tours are led by museum docents. Capacity is limited and spots sell out quickly, so advance tickets are recommended. Your ticket for the tour includes admission to the rest of the museum. Please check-in at the Front Desk of the museum upon your arrival.

**About the McCormick House**

The McCormick House is a single-family home designed in 1952 by Mies van der Rohe, one of the great architects of the 20th Century. It is one of only three free-standing residences designed and built by Mies in the United States--and one of only two open to the public.

Elmhurst Art Museum McCormick House Tour Mies van der Rohe 1952 prefab mid-century architecture design exhibition tours

McCormick House Tour July 21

Donkey Hodie and her friends, Purple Panda and Bob Dog, visit the museum to present a behind-the-scenes puppet demonstration. Following a 1:00pm live-action puppet demonstration will be a 2:00pm meet-and-greet for families and hands-on activities to guide them to make their own unique puppets. This imaginative process will be explored through character creation, sketching a puppet's likeness, and bringing it to life with mixed media supplies.

*Donkey Hodie* is produced by [Fred Rogers Productions](https://www.fredrogers.org/about/) and [Spiffy Pictures](https://www.spiffypictures.com/about-us). The series is created by Adam Rudman and David Rudman of Spiffy Pictures and developed by Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer of Fred Rogers Productions. Executive producers are Doherty, Adam Rudman, and David Rudman.

*Designing Donkey Hodie: From Make-Believe to Someplace Else* is sponsored by DuPage Foundation and Explore Elmhurst with additional support from Lakeside Bank.

![Sponsors](//images.ctfassets.net/df2y673eghyz/4NYzk6bW4icrQGnsnXTHuH/4f1e0e1f36444b4328cfb039ee364034/sponsor_logos-wo_WTTW_jause1.jpg)

Image: Behind the Scenes of *Donkey Hodie*, Courtesy of Fred Rogers Productions. DONKEY HODIE © 2021, The Fred Rogers Company. All rights reserved.

Family Day: Donkey Hodie cast appearance with puppet demo & workshop

McCormick House Tour June 23

Join us for Soirée 2024 presented by EAM’s Sustaining Fellows, including cocktails, a multi-course dinner, entertainment, and live and silent auctions filled with artworks by established and emerging artists as well as a fabulous selection of vacations and experiences.

This year's event is inspired by the work of [Rafael Blanco](https://rafael-blanco.com/home), a public artist best known locally for co-creating the "Be Bold. Be Elmhurst" mural at Elmhurst University. This fall, the museum will feature works highlighting 10 years of his public works empowering diverse voices along with a brand new community collaboration.

Ways to participate and support the museum's efforts:  

[Purchase a $5,000 Collector Table of 10](https://shop.elmhurstartmuseum.org/collections/online-shop/products/soiree-2024-collector-table)     

[Purchase a $3,500 Patron Table of 10 ](https://shop.elmhurstartmuseum.org/collections/online-shop/products/soiree-2023-patron-table-copy)   

[Purchase a $375 Individual Ticket](https://shop.elmhurstartmuseum.org/collections/online-shop/products/soiree-2023-individual-ticket-copy)   

Buy a $100 Golden Ticket for a Cash Raffle. See the Golden Ticket and other items [here](https://EAMSoiree2024.givesmart.com).      

[Donate to our Art is for Everyone Fund a Need](https://shop.elmhurstartmuseum.org/collections/online-shop/products/soiree-2024-fund-a-need)   

[Donate to our General Operations Fund](https://shop.elmhurstartmuseum.org/collections/online-shop/products/soiree-2024-donation)  

Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/elmhurstartmuseum/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/elmhurstartmuseum/?hl=en)

Image: Rafael Blanco, The Heart of Community, 2017, 35 X 55 Feet, Quincy, CA

Soirée 2024

Included with museum admission; members are free.   

Hear Rafael Blanco reflect on the murals he has reimagined for this exhibition, and his experiences as an artist creating public murals across the United States. Blanco sees rejection as integral to life’s experiences, especially the life of an artist. He will share insights into how he transforms rejection into success that empowers him as an artist to imagine new visions for his work.     

This exhibition is sponsored by Wintrust Bank with additional support from the Tom Watson and Mary Cunningham Family Charitable Fund, the Illinois Arts Council, Discover DuPage, and Enjoy Illinois.   

Image: Rafael Blanco. *Alcatraces*, 2024. 113" x 240"


Artist Talk:  Rafael Blanco

$23 for Non-members, Free to Members  

Join us to learn more about the unique history and design of Mies van der Rohe's 1952 McCormick House.  

Tours are led by museum docents. Capacity is limited and spots sell out quickly, so advance tickets are recommended. Your ticket for the tour includes admission to the rest of the museum. Please check-in at the Front Desk of the museum upon your arrival.  

__About the McCormick House __ 

The McCormick House is a single-family home designed in 1952 by Mies van der Rohe, one of the great architects of the 20th Century. It is one of only three free-standing residences designed and built by Mies in the United States--and one of only two open to the public.  


McCormick House Tour

Included with museum admission; members are free.   

Inspired by the technicolor stylings of Rafael Blanco, enjoy an afternoon exploring color and portraiture. Using different shades of your favorite hue, create a picture of yourself or someone you know.


Family Day: Monochrome Portraits

Tickets: $25 Non-member / $15 Member  are available [here](https://shop.elmhurstartmuseum.org/collections/online-shop/products/public-art-walking-tour-fall-2024)

Learn about Elmhurst’s public art and observe the changing of the seasons on an outdoor walking tour, guided by EAM’s Exhibition Manager, Liz Chilsen. This tour
will start and end at the museum, but be sure to bring your walking shoes! Purchased tickets will include admission to the museum and the guided walking tour. You will also receive a coupon for 25% off any drink or one free small black
coffee courtesy of Brewpoint Coffee. Cozy up with your favorite beverage as you
enjoy this tour.

Elmhurst Public Art Walking Tour

$23 for Non-members, Free to Members

Join us to learn more about the unique history and design of Mies van der Rohe's 1952 McCormick House.

Tours are led by museum docents. Capacity is limited and spots sell out, so advance tickets are recommended. Your ticket for the tour includes admission to the rest of the museum. Please check-in at the Front Desk of the museum upon your arrival.

__About the McCormick House __

The McCormick House is a single-family home designed in 1952 by Mies van der Rohe, one of the great architects of the 20th Century. It is one of only three free-standing residences designed and built by Mies in the United States--and one of only two open to the public.

Included with museum admission; members are free.   

In celebration of Rafael Blanco’s works as a public artist, fabricate a mural with various media on your own mini paper “wall”. Participants can adapt large-scale techniques to a smaller scale.


Family Day: Mini Murals

Included with museum admission; members are free.  

Join mural artist Rafael Blanco on a tour of his solo exhibition to explore how he reimagined rejected mural designs from cities across the country to create these new exhibition. Gain insights into Rafael’s personal journey turning refusal into renewal by using rejection as a motivation.

This exhibition is sponsored by Wintrust Bank with additional support from the Tom Watson and Mary Cunningham Family Charitable Fund, the Illinois Arts Council, Discover DuPage, and Enjoy Illinois.   

Image credit: Rafael Blanco. *The Jump* (detail), Mural Study, 2014. 60” x 125”

Artist-led Exhibition Tour: Rafael Blanco

Included with museum admission; members are free.  

Celebrate the winter holidays at the art museum with a visit from Santa (2-3pm)
and a card making activity. Create festive decor in honor of the holiday season.


Events

Upcoming Events

Soirée 2024

Artist Talk: Rafael Blanco

McCormick House Tour

Family Day: Monochrome Portraits

Elmhurst Public Art Walking Tour

McCormick House Tour

Family Day: Mini Murals

Artist-led Exhibition Tour: Rafael Blanco

Family Day: Holiday Party

Past Events

EAG Opening Reception: A VISUAL MEMOIR

Opening Reception - Rafael Blanco: Reflecting on a Decade of Public Art

Family Day: Creative Storytelling

McCormick House Tour July 21

Family Day: Donkey Hodie cast appearance with puppet demo & workshop

McCormick House Tour June 23

Mon - Tues	closed
Wed - Thurs	12 – 5
Fri - Sun	11 – 5