During the month of September, artists focused on the concept of Extraction by selecting a specific area of an image made in the previous few months and developing a series from it. New works were constructed through multiple prompts that included working in a circular format, exploring new materials, methods, and surfaces, and infusing images with the spirit of contemporary artists of interest. The images below showcase these ongoing serial explorations.

During the month of March, artist in the Envision program dug into the concept of Excavations in their sketchbooks. Shards, text, objects, edges, and relics were explored through drawing, painting, and collage materials to create surfaces, environments, and topographies related to archeological practices. Working with a 5" x 5" square format (both within and beyond the delineated area), layers of mixed media were integrated into these built surfaces to create opportunities for concealing and revealing hidden layers and suggesting personal discovery narratives.

The Loyola Beach Dunes lakefront restoration project captured my interest since its earliest inception over a decade ago. Located in the Rogers Park neighborhood on Chicago's far north side, this six acre lakefront dune habitat has transformed one of the city's public beaches into a native plant oasis that minimizes erosion, stabilizes the shoreline, and engages its visitors with its midwestern plant forms, seasonal color displays, and delightful birds, insects, and animals.