“We’re so complex; we’re mysteries to ourselves; we’re difficult to each other. And then storytelling reminds us we’re all the same.”
-Brad Pitt
Quoting Brad Pitt was not one my primary goals when I took on the Chairperson’s role last year. But with a few months left in my term I have managed to do so as his words eloquently describe the experience the CAC Education Guides will be providing to our student guests as we lead them through the exhibits of the 2019 Chicago Architectural Biennial.
The theme of this year’s Biennial is “…and other such stories”, with Chicago’s own Yesomi Umolu as the lead curator. Installations from 80+ contributors from over 20 countries ask us to think about how architecture, design, buildings, and places shape communities, cities, and the environment and how they influence stories of people—stories from history to our own stories today and into the future.
Last week, 40 Education Guides came together inside the Chicago Cultural Center for two days of training led Angela Esposito, Adam Rubin, Rebecca Boland and Mizael Robledo from the CAC Education staff. The Volunteer team, aided and abetted by CAC staff, will be leading 90-minute field trips for student groups primarily from Chicago Public Schools.
The Guides will engage students, teachers, and chaperones in conversations focused on nine of the Biennial’s installations, along with sharing stories of the building’s rich and well-preserved history as a library, war memorial, and civic resource. We will also be facilitating two hands-on activities with our student guests, one discussing the messaging of the Chicago City Flag and the other practicing “museum skills” focused on reading and observing.
As you’ve likely heard or read, the topics of this year’s Biennial are much more thought-provoking than those of its two predecessors, and the resulting conversations with our guests promise to be interestingly nuanced. Early returns from the first days of field trips this week suggest that the stories told by the Biennial are ones that are foremost in our students’ minds.
I encourage you to visit the Biennial to relate the exhibits to your own personal stories. The event will run through January 5, with the Cultural Center open 10AM-7PM Monday-Friday and 10AM-5PM on weekends. If you encounter an Education Guide in mid-tour, say hi.
Last week was a busy one as we also celebrated the one-year anniversary of the new CAC at Volunteer Appreciation Night. Over 100 Volunteers raised a glass (or a freshly fried donut) as Lynn Osmond thanked us for our efforts, with special shout-outs going to Marilyn Phillips and Howard Wheat for 15 years of service and to Steve Hines for a decade of being the master of Guest Services. As always, our appreciation goes to Caroline for her yeoman’s work in orchestrating a wonderful event.
For those of you who weren’t able to join us, as a Cubs’ fan would say, “Wait ‘til next year.”
Cheers, Bob