Teens Inspired by Chagall

This week's post is written by Marcia MacRae, Interdisciplinary Arts Specialist for DuPage Children's Museum.  Marcia shares with us the process of  creating the Chagall Windows project with local high school students in conjunction with our temporary exhibit, Chagall for Children.

Inspired by Marc Chagall's stained glass America Windows, recently reinstalled at the Art Institute of Chicago, 50 students and their art teachers from 7 area high schools interpreted the idea of "children at play" in his style.  The students shared their creativity and skill with their collaborative teams, with the children visiting the Museum and, now, with everyone passing the Washington Street windows of DCM.

Dreaming of Adventures

Many of the high school students recalled fond memories of childhood visits to the Museum, but far from playing, they took this project on with great seriousness, arriving with carefully detailed sketches or complete life-size drawings.  Many gave up weekends and multiple afternoons to accomplish their goals.  Each team knew they would receive four-foot square, clear panels and a quantity of acrylic paint. Otherwise, they were free to conceptualize their own versions of the subject.  Look closely and you will see elements taken from the Museum's website, local landmarks, Chagall's art and from the students' personal memories of childhood play.  The finished works are as unique as the artists themselves.

Inspired by the Wind Tunnel in AirWorks

Inspired by Dandelion Fountain at the River Walk in Naperville

Inspired by exhibits in Make It Move

Stay tuned!  Next week's post will highlight how these teen artists inspired some of our younger visitors!