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
Search Results for: Artist in Residence
Allerton featured in Midwest Living
"The historic Allerton Park and Retreat Center unfolds like a set from Bridgerton… In the early 1900s, artists and socialites traveled to an Illinois estate to relax and create. Now you can, too, at the state’s first folk school." Those are the words of writer Ceil Miller Bochet, whose profile of Allerton can be found in a recent issue of Midwest Living. The article continues: “For the past decade, the University has offered arts and crafts programming at the estate, setting the stage … [Read more...] about Allerton featured in Midwest Living
Chicago area writers reflect on time at Allerton
MONTICELLO — Chicago writers Sandra Jackson-Opoku and Tina Jenkins Bell spent three weeks at Allerton in the spring/summer of 2023 as part of the Artist-In-Residence Rooting a Deeper Connection (RDC) program. RDC highlights and celebrates the arts and study of nature within Black and Latinx communities. Jackson-Opoku grew up in the Windy City and still resides there as she composes works of historical fiction, non-fiction and dramatic works, including the award-winning novel, The River Where … [Read more...] about Chicago area writers reflect on time at Allerton
SOLD OUT – Voices of the Land: A Juneteenth Celebration
Join Allerton In-Residence artists Sandra Jackson-Opoku and Tina Jenkins Bell for “Voices of the Land: A Juneteenth Celebration” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 19 in the Allerton Mansion Library. Traditionally, our forebears drew many things from the land: Food, shelter, maps, inspiration and a sense of identity. This was particularly true of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver and other enslaved and freed Africans. Using the Juneteenth commemoration of Black … [Read more...] about SOLD OUT – Voices of the Land: A Juneteenth Celebration
unsettled proves powerful
Playwrights and former Allerton Artists-in-Residence Nicole Anderson-Cobb and Latrelle Bright delivered a powerful event with “unsettled: An African American Reflection on the Potawatomi Trail of Death,” presented in the Music Barn on April 15. During their time at Allerton last spring, Anderson-Cobb and Bright researched the history of the land that eventually became Allerton Park. During “unsettled,” they told the story of the Potawatomi Trail of Death, which in 1838 saw 859 indigenous … [Read more...] about unsettled proves powerful
SOLD OUT — unsettled: An African American Reflection on the Potawatomi Trail of Death
Between September and November of 1838, a total of 859 indigenous American Potawatomi were forcibly removed from their homeland in Northern Indiana and marched to Eastern Kansas. Join theater makers Latrelle Bright and Nicole Anderson Cobb from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15 in the Allerton Music Barn for “unsettled: An African American Reflection on the Potawatomi Trail of Death,” which recalls the Potawatomi journey through Danville and Monticello, where the Potawatomi camped for several … [Read more...] about SOLD OUT — unsettled: An African American Reflection on the Potawatomi Trail of Death
SOLD OUT — Watercolor Bird Workshop
Complex and colorful, birds are one of the most common subjects for wildlife artists. Join bird artist Alex Warnick as she shares tips for painting birds in watercolor. Participants will learn techniques through instructor demonstrations and will have the chance to apply those techniques while creating their own painting from live birds. The workshop will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 in the Mansion Library. Cost is $40/person, which includes all materials. All sales are final. Register … [Read more...] about SOLD OUT — Watercolor Bird Workshop
Poetry Workshop
Allerton Fall Artist-In-Residence Jackie Braje will offer a poetry workshop, “Poetry as Connective Groundwork,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10. In this workshop, a number of generative writing exercises will be used — including an examination of poems by Louise Gluck and Sharon Olds — to help participants ground themselves in the here and now, find unity in internal and external worlds, and honor the simple beauty of everyday experiences. The workshop will start in the Mansion Library and move out … [Read more...] about Poetry Workshop