Allerton

Park & Retreat Center

Steve Hoffman

The Farms gets off to a good start, continues to roll

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MONTICELLO — Staff at Allerton Park and Retreat Center are not slowing down when it comes to The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, which kicked off with a 36-course offering last fall. The Winter 2024 session is also offering a myriad of courses — both one-offs and multi-session ones — as it encourages people to learn a new skill, whether it be bookbinding, dancing, meditation, weaving, wine tasting and more. A busy schedule of planning has not left Senior Program Coordinator Olivia Bunting … [Read more...] about The Farms gets off to a good start, continues to roll

Decatur ag students create art for GLOW

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  MONTICELLO — What started as a high school class project is now part of this year’s Holiday GLOW at Allerton Park and Retreat Center. Decatur Eisenhower agriculture teacher Scott Davidson said when students began work on the three large letters — “F, F and A” to promote ag education — about a year ago, he was not sure where the finished product would end up. At first, Davidson saw the wood and metal creation going on display at the Living Science Farm of the new Dwayne O. … [Read more...] about Decatur ag students create art for GLOW

RESIDENT WRAPS UP RESEARCH

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Urban planner Kelsey Zlevor has finished up her residency and hopes to take knowledge she has gleaned while at Allerton to help design public spaces with elements that help people experiencing depressive episodes. She conducted four workshops — the final one on Wednesday with Park staff — which used craft supplies to help participants re-visit fond memories. Zlevor said Allerton was an ideal place to conduct her research. “I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s been the ability to immediately … [Read more...] about RESIDENT WRAPS UP RESEARCH

Kelsey Zlevor is Fall 2023 resident

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MONTICELLO — During the covid pandemic, public parks became a refuge as one of the safer places to spend time while most other locations were locked down. It was during that time that Chicago native and urban planner Kesley Zlevor — who is next up in Allerton Park and Retreat Center’s Joan and Peter Hood In-Residence Program — was empowered to find ways that public spaces could be better designed for those who are experiencing depression. “Rooted in my role as a parks planning consultant … [Read more...] about Kelsey Zlevor is Fall 2023 resident

THANK YOU, JAN GILL!!

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We recently celebrated the retirement of Associate Director of Business Operations Jan Gill. Jan started working at Allerton in 2015 as a retiree rehire after a successful 37-year career at the University of Illinois Office of Business and Financial Services, retiring as Assistant Controller in UAFR (University Accounting & Financial Reporting). She quickly began making her impact at Allerton, instituting new procedures and protocols that created necessary efficiencies for our growing … [Read more...] about THANK YOU, JAN GILL!!

History Happy Hour: Robert Allerton and the Art Institute of Chicago

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(NOTE: THIS PRESENTATION WAS GIVEN AT A HISTORY HAPPY HOUR ON OCT. 19, 2023) Robert Allerton had a relationship with the Art Institute of Chicago for the entirety of his adult life.  Before he went to Europe to study art, he took a few classes at the School of the Art Institute.  He was an annual member, a governing life member, trustee, and then honorary president of the Board of Trustees.  Each winter, Robert traveled extensively collecting art and inspiration.  Much of his collected works … [Read more...] about History Happy Hour: Robert Allerton and the Art Institute of Chicago