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AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Alebrije Community Projects – Project Proposal
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 5a
AGENDA DATE: March 10, 2022
PRESENTING MEMBER(S): Heidi Kuharich, Chairperson; Daniel Peck, Marketing & Communications
Coordinator (Staff Liaison)

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AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY:


The West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) is committed to partnering with the Mexican Cultural Center—DuPage (MCC) in
promoting the Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World at Cantigny Park, and providing a community engagement and enrichment
project for the West Chicago community that correlates with the event.


The proposed project(s) for consideration are based on initial insight from a discussion between City staff and MCC regarding a
potential exhibit at Gallery 200 that will incorporate a portal from which alebrijes creatures emerge from. MCC provided some initial
thoughts on potential community projects, and the proposed projects are based on MCC’s preliminary ideas.


Both projects are to be executed in collaboration with MCC, with the CAC championing and managing the proposed projects. Each
project includes avenues of support centered on: establishing a partnership with MCC; injecting West Chicago’s community identity
into the alebrije movement of the summer; and providing residents and business owners with an opportunity to contribute and
celebrate the alebrije exhibit as a community.


The proposed agenda item is for the consideration of two separate community engagement/enrichment projects: Community
Wreaths and a Community Alebrije Sculpture


Project 1: Community Wreaths Project
Carrying over the success and joy experienced with similar community engagement/enrichment projects, including The Butterfly
Effect and the 2020 Haiku Project, the CAC would create, provide instruction on how to create, and promote Community Wreaths as
an opportunity for residents/businesses to participate in a personal way with the alebrijes exhibit. Additional project details include:
       Wreaths would be in locations visible from the sidewalks with participants being encouraged to post photos of their
       completed wreaths with details on dedicated webpage.
       Wreaths would fall into one of two categories: Alebrijes/Dreamworld or Renewal. (Alebrijes/Dreamworld would coincide
        with the summer’s theme, and also include anything that embodies the Mexican cultural, and Renewal would coincide with
        the Summer Art Banner theme and could include anything natural, recycled, reborn, etc.)


Considerations
       Providing pre-formed wreaths to encourage easy participation, and provide a suggested size.
       Implementing an online People’s Choice contest utilizing submitted photos with categories. (e.g.; age, region, etc.)
       Creation of digital map showcasing wreath locations. (This has been a big part of the past campaigns.)


Project 2: Community Alebrije Sculpture
To coincide with the larger alebrijes that will be at the Cantigny Park exhibit, the proposed project would have the CAC create a large
alebrijes sculpture (approximately 5’-6’) with the community that is based upon specific West Chicago features (i.e.; trains,
monarchs, water tower, etc.) Community member would be encouraged to participate in providing ideas on how to create the
sculpture and items specific to West Chicago to be incorporated, and will also be encouraged to participate in the overall creation
during community events, and/or workshops.

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Proposed Project Timeline
        April: Initiate an online survey allowing community to vote on sculpture specifics.
      May (prior to Blooming Fest on May 21): CAC members will construct the raw form of sculpture based upon online input.
       Blooming Fest Event: CAC attends event, and encourages community to apply the papier mache necessary to build up the
         structure of the creature.
      May (after Blooming Fest on May 21): CAC hosts smaller events to give the community further opportunity to decorate the
         sculpture.


Considerations
       Begin with a scaled copy of the iconic West Chicago downtown Water Tower
       Host a “Name Our Alebrije” contest online.
       Have sculpture present at events during the summer: Railroad Days Parade, Food Fests, Mexican Independence Day Parade,
          etc.
      Where will the completed Alebrije reside when not out making appearances, and how will it be protected from outdoor
        elements?
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ACTION(S) PROPOSED:

       Approval of direction and continued development of Project 1: Community Wreaths Project.
         o   Proceed w/ establishing budgetary needs and preliminary planning
       Approval of direction and continued development of Project 2: Community Alebrjie Sculpture
         o   Proceed w/ establishing budgetary needs and preliminary planning
       Consider staff recommendation of the creation of two sub-committees to manage each project separately if both projects
       approved

NEXT STEP(S):


Should the Commission chooses to proceed with either, or both, projects then details will be further investigated and preliminary
planning will commence. Final project plan(s) and budget will then be presented for approval during the next Cultural Arts
Commission meeting on Thursday, April 7 as a separate agenda item, “Alebrije Community Projects – Project Approval.”

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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS/IMAGES:


Sample cultural/alebrije style wreaths provided by MCC