“August: The best of the summer gone and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time.”
– Sylvia Plath
As we enter the home stretch of the summer of 2019 I hope everyone is able to squeeze every last ounce of joy out of the most relaxed month of the year.
Before I head to the Hudson River Valley on vacation next week, here’s what I’m looking forward to in and around the CAC in the coming weeks and months.
Most importantly, welcome back, Angela Esposito. On behalf of all the Education Guides and all the Volunteers, we are thrilled to see your eternally smiling face around the CAC and in the Family Tent at Millennium Park next week.
And welcome, Nicole Kowrach. Nicole joined our team this week as the CAC’s new VP of Education and Audience Engagement. She comes to us after 14 years at the Museum of Science and Industry and we look forward to the additional value she will bring to our already stellar portfolio of youth and teacher education initiatives, community outreach, and volunteer training programs.
In terms of key calendar dates, be on the lookout for emails and postings on The Bridge from Caroline, Angela and Rebecca inviting us to upcoming training sessions and events including…
-Exhibit Host training: Monday & Tuesday September 23 & 24. If you’re already trained as a Guest Services Volunteer, Education Guide and/or Docent, I encourage you to add Exhibit Hosting to your personal CAC repertoire. It’s a great way to learn more about Chicago’s architectural history and the global built environment and to stay in touch with our guests, especially outside of the peak walking tour, river cruise and student field trip seasons.
-Education Guide training: Wednesday & Thursday, September 10 & 17. There will be no better time to join our Education Guide team as these training sessions will be the precursor to…
-Chicago Architecture Biennial training: Wednesday & Thursday, September 25 & 26. I will continue to bang the drum encouraging everyone to participate in this wonderful opportunity to lead 90-minute student field trips through highlights of the Biennial exhibits displayed throughout the Chicago Cultural Center. For those of us who wish more field trips were available for sign-ups, the Biennial will provide an all you can eat buffet as Education Guide shifts will be scheduled Tuesday through Friday every week from October 1 to December 20.
-Volunteer Appreciation Night: Thursday, September 26. I won’t steal Caroline’s thunder by spilling the beans about the venue and plans for this year’s event but please mark your calendar for this festive evening as the CAC staff graciously thanks us for our service.
Cheers, Bob