Aug/Sept 2023: Tile-Laying Workshops

In August and September, the CDG Arts Committee coordinated with Green Star Movement and hosted eight Tile-Laying Workshops. The larger community was then invited to sign up to help add mosaic tile to the panels in four one-hour timeslots per workshop day. The outpouring of support and interest was AMAZING!

Families, Friends, Neighbors, Village Officials, Fire and Police Departments, Churches, Organizations, and Businesses ~
All Showed Up BIG to Be Part of the Story!

There were so many ways to enjoy the workshops …

People came to tile multiple times because they found it relaxing, cathartic and fun. Others just wanted to learn more about the community and be part of the ‘Happening’. Generational residents had family members who came to La Grange from the south during the Great Migration to work at the Electromotive Train Plant. They brought generations of their families to the Tile-Laying workshops to lay tile onto the Train Panel that represents that journey.

Hundreds of participants and 500 timeslots were filled to complete the mosaic panels by shaping and placing tile onto the
mosaic boards. All who came to these workshops, learned the story of the community as told by the community.

May 4, 2023: Design ‘Decision’ Workshop

Green Star Movement sent us many design options for our group to consider and decide by majority consensus which ones would best represent the essence of the community with the theme “The Community Center- PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE.”

We engaged in a lively two-hour discussion with a group of about 20 participants made up fairly equally of residents, as well as representatives from various La Grange organizations and churches, local artists and muralists and art educators from two school districts. Some who could not be there were encouraged to send feedback on designs and shared their preferences through email, text, or calling in.

Everyone was given a chance to be heard, including the Zoom participants! In speaking to some participants, the feedback on the workshops was that it was a very positive experience! Some expressed that they were ‘inspired’, ‘uplifted’, ‘enlightened’ and a Zoom participant said ‘really great to be included, it was like being home again…’. Community perspectives were valued and we all learned a little something about each other, which is as important as creating this beautiful mosaic mural.

April 19, 2023: Design ‘Brainstorming’ Workshop

Green Star Movement gathered with over 30 participants, representing different parts of the La Grange area, to brainstorm ideas for the mosaic design. It was an engaging and productive conversation. We heard wonderful stories shared about this culturally rich east side community and the historic Community Center—‘The Center’, as it is so respectfully called.

This historic building has been the heart of the neighborhood for decades. The community decided on eight images that would best represent the story of The Center. Green Star Movement then designed panels based on those images. Each panel illustrates an important aspect of the community’s origins!

April 13, 2023: CDG Arts Committee Kickoff Meeting with Green Star Movement

The CDG Arts Committee met with Kamelia from Green Star Movement to discuss the CommUNITY Mosaic Project. We learned about the entire process and created a plan for the Design Workshops to be held on:

• April 19, for the committee to brainstorm ideas and share stories about the community
• May 4, for the committee to review and approve Green Star Movement’s design options.

Design Workshop Treats Donated by:

Nancy LaBreacht, CDG Arts Committee member – Whole Foods Market, Hinsdale
CrumbCrusher & Lulu’s, Co-Op Bakery in La Grange
www.cclucakes.com

Having local businesses being part of the project makes it even more of a community happening. For the Tile-Laying Workshops in August and September and the Ribbon-Cutting Celebration in October, we plan on reaching out to La Grange area businesses as a way to connect to the project and build relationships along the way.