University Galleries and Milner Library of Illinois State University collaborated to present this exhibition.
Experiences in Place highlights 66 photographs from the T.E.A.M. (Teen Education & Art Mentors) Program. The second of three T.E.A.M. exhibitions, Experiences in Place links area high schools with University Galleries' resources to engage teens through the visual arts. The goal of the program is to foster students' artistic exploration, critical thinking, and community involvement. The T.E.A.M. exhibitions allow students to present their work to a wide audience while demonstrating personal reflections inspired by contemporary artists and exhibitions.
Students involved with the T.E.A.M. Program participate in an exhibition-specific workshop, write a reflective paper describing their experience, and assemble a public exhibition. Students from Ridgeview, Normal Community, and Tri-Valley High Schools created the photographs on display in Experiences in Place. Each student responded to themes present in the work of artist Melanie Schiff, whose exhibition, The stars are not wanted now, was on display in University Galleries between October 27 and December 16, 2012.
Melanie Schiff is a Los Angeles-based photographer whose work focuses upon themes ranging from popular and youth culture, to landscape and the body. Surveying diverse genres, including still life, landscape, and portraiture, Schiff's photographs capture the subtle moments when everyday objects and common events come together to create unexpected and remarkable effects.
The final T.E.A.M. exhibition will occur from May 21 through July 27, 2013 at University Galleries. This comprehensive exhibit will present works from Experiences In Place, in addition to works created by T.E.A.M. participants from Spring 2013.
University Galleries would like to thank the teachers involved with this exhibition: Jennifer Kelly of Normal Community High School, Pam Rathke of Ridgeview High School, and Denise O'Brien of Tri-Valley High School.
This project is made possible through grants from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation--Mirza Arts & Cultural Fund and a Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant.