Current Exhibits
Flora, Fauna, and Us
Come visit the Des Plaines History Center for our new exhibit, "Flora, Fauna, and Us." The exhibit is now open until the end of the summer!
"Flora, Fauna, and Us" outlines the relationship between humans and ecosystem. Primarily focusing on Des Plaines, Illinois, this exhibit shows the push and pull a growing region experiences as it works to balance nature with urbanization. Walking through the exhibit you will discover the sequence of events, and important individuals, animals, plants, and movements that have all shaped our landscape into what it is today.
Created in partnership with the Field Museum, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and the Izaak Walton League, this exhibit reveals the past, present, and future of the area’s ecology.
In the Gallery
The Ken Project
July 2–August 27
The Ken Project is all about creatively and sustainability.
Ken, a long-time Des Plaines resident with an artistic eye, collected a vast assortment of images from various sources, including a wide variety of magazines. He meticulously cut and assembled these images to create beautifully curated, complex arrangements.
When Rhonda Popko, longtime art educator, activist, and President of the Des Plaines Art Guild, was gifted Ken's extraordinary portfolios, she immediately saw their value as a way for people to reuse the materials, so we all could appreciate what Ken had spent years putting together.
In a number of workshops for The Ken Project, participants used empty CD cases as their canvas, and made their own unique artworks, under the expert guidance of Rhonda and members of the Des Plaines Art Guild.
The results are not only beautiful, but inspiring as well because of their carefully crafted use of upcycled materials. Everyone involved in The Ken Project workshops brought their passion and ingenuity, to showcase how creativity and sustainability can live together, bringing joy and happiness to all who are fortunate to see these small works of art.
The Des Plaines Public Library hosted the first Ken Project in March, and we are proud to host the next iteration in our Gallery.
Come, spend some time with these pieces, and we think you will be inspired to create sustainably forever.
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The closing reception for this exhibit is August 27, 5:30–8:00p
RSVPs are requested to attend the reception.
847-391-5399 or contact@desplaineshistory.org