Delayed by COVID-19 and the city’s July Fourth mass shooting, Highland Park High School’s FOCUS on the Arts biennial event almost didn’t happen. But facing a multiyear hiatus, the suburban Chicago school rallied, inviting creatives from across the country to teach workshops, as it’s done since 1964. Organizers asked me to facilitate an interactive public art installation similar to the summer’s temporary Arts Memorial, which was a response to the shooting. The only guardrail: Steer clear of gun violence. Nothing triggering. Nothing orange. All light and love.
We landed on a collaborative project in which every student would tie a strip of blue fabric to symbolize their intention to make the world a better place.
Teacher Christine Hill’s environmental science students recently made an active intention to raise awareness about plastic waste. Inspired by Shedd Aquarium’s Shedd the Straw, we planned #CleanSeas, a sculpture upcycling 5,000 single-use plastic water bottles.
