Last year (2023) was filled with ideas, writing a grant, fulfilling the mission stated in the grant (written to RiversGives for the DP Art Guild in Des Plaines) and making the project happen. It took up most of the year….and kept me away from my own journey as an artist – on a personal level. It was ALL good, but I am now trying to get myself back on the road of my own creations….

It was called “LATE BLOOMS ~ Des Plaines” and it was created to bring an awareness to the plastics in our lives and how they can be repurposed to create art. It was inspired in part by the Terrain Biennial started many years ago – that has become an International event matching artists and hosts – that house the artists’ work for one month in the fall. It seemed like a beautiful idea and something I saw our community being involved with – bringing art to everyone, by using recycled materials.

So, it still lives on. We set aside one Monday each month to show people how to create flowers from plastic bottles, how to use plastic as a medium and create other things that can be displayed, enjoyed and created from – PLASTIC….makes you take another look at what is around us and how to manage it.

Maybe next time you are buying something – you’ll reconsider the package. Maybe contact the manufacturer of some items and ask them to use more sustainable materials that do not break down in landfills. It is all about saving our precious planet.