FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

PO Box 23 · 150 Cottage Hill Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 834-0202 · FAX(630) 834-0234
 www.elmhurstartmuseum.org

Get Behind the Wheel for
Route 66 Exhibition
Elmhurst Art Museum Offers Educational Programs for the Entire Family! July 22 – September 10, 2006

ELMHURST, IL - The Elmhurst Art Museum offers educational programs for the entire family for its Return to Route 66: Photographs from the Mother Road exhibition featuring the works of photographer Shellee Graham from July 22 through September 10, 2006.

It began in the early 1920s with a vision of a paved highway that would connect Chicago to Los Angeles and the west. By the time of its completion, the road would cover over 2,400 miles, 3 time zones, and 8 states. It would link the windy shores of Lake Michigan with the water of the Pacific Ocean-a two-lane road rolling through the great American Southwest, tying the vestiges of America's pioneer passages into one meandering and magnificent highway.

“It is a pictorial journey that details the highway’s history, forgotten towns, roadside diners, motels and people. I had made several smaller 66 excursions before making the ‘big trip’ to Los Angeles via Route 66 in March of 1991. I hope the viewers enjoy this collection. Perhaps it will spark the interest of those younger to the history of this road, make a contribution to the record of its impact on the many lives that traveled it, all in hope of a different life, if not a better one,” states Shellee Graham.

The showing here at the Elmhurst Art Museum is part of an eighteen city national tour over a three and a half year period. The tour was developed and managed by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services, an exhibition tour development company in Kansas City, Missouri.

Activities for Kids

Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays July 22 - September 10 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Younger children (ages 2-5), will be able to adorn little wooden cars that they can then ‘drive.’ Older children (ages 6-14), will take a blank postcard to draw a picture of a place they would like to visit on Route 66, and write about what they might encounter if they were at that location. Postcards will be collected and hung on a wall map of the famous highway, with each postcard linked to the location depicted. At the end of the exhibition, postcards will be returned to the artists, stamped with an admissions discount for the next time they visit the museum.

Grand Prix Derby Saturday, August 12 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. For All Ages! Come view photographs taken by Shellee Graham on her travels down Rt. 66 in the exhibition entitled Return to Route 66: Photographs from the Mother Road. Then, build your very own mini-racecar in the museum’s education center to derby race for prizes.

Be the Artist: Shellee Graham Wednesday, August 16 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. (Grades 1-5) Are you looking for something fun to do with your friends? Get your kicks when you tour the Route 66: Photographs from the Mother Road exhibition! View the many famous attractions along the road and document your journey just as Shellee Graham has done. Cost is $6.50/participant or $5.50 for museum members. Call 630.834.0202, x16 to register now!

Programs for Adults

A Piece of the Road Wednesday, August 9, 6:30 p.m. Recount the days of old with Elmhurst Art Museum Curator Melissa Dahlquist as she leads you through the exhibition for an historical overview of Route 66 and highlights how artist Shellee Graham has interpreted the importance of this significant piece of Americana through her photographs. This tour is open to all ages and FREE with the price of Museum admission.

The Mother Road Trip Saturday, August 26 from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Join Rt. 66 expert, David Clark, as he leads you on a bus tour into the great city of Chicago while pointing out historical Rt. 66 landmarks along the way. Once in Chicago, David will guide you on a walking tour through parts of the city, transporting us into the 1920’s by highlighting some of the significant architecture from the era. After spending a couple of hours in the city, you will bus back to the Elmhurst Art Museum and drive by more notable Rt. 66 landmarks. Cost for this program is $35 Museum Members/$40 Non-Members. Reservations and payment must be made to Elmhurst Art Museum by Friday, August 18. Payment is non-refundable.

Marked for Life: My Travels on 66 in ‘53 Wednesday, September 6 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Made possible in part by the Illinois Humanities Council

The year is 1953. With her parents, four brothers, and two hunting dogs in a pickup, Terri Ryburn-LaMonte embarked on a cross-country trip along Route 66 from Bloomington, Illinois to the coast of California. The adventures left her "marked for life." Terri recounts her youthful excursion in humorous and insightful detail. In the process of telling her story, she also recalls the importance of Route 66 in the nation's history and family vacations! The program begins with a guided tour of the Museum’s Route 66 exhibition and ends with the lecture at nearby Frick Center at Elmhurst College. Admission is FREE. Call (630) 834-0202, x16 to register.

About the Speaker Terri Ryburn-LaMonte has been involved in many history projects over the past several years and has become a recognized authority on Route 66. She has been awarded the Route 66 Celebrity of the Day at the Illinois State Fair in 2004 and was awarded for distinguished service at Illinois State University in 2003. Terri currently serves as Assistant to the Director of Illinois State University's School of Kinesiology & Recreation and as a member of the Illinois Humanities Council's Road Scholars Speakers Bureau.

Gallery Talks Tour the galleries with Elmhurst Art Museum docent, Ida Kotyuk, to learn more about photographer Shellee Graham and historic Route 66. FREE with the price of Museum admission. Sunday, August 6 2:00 p.m. Sunday, August 20 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 3 2:00 p.m.

The Elmhurst Art Museum’s award-winning modern museum structure incorporates the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-designed McCormick House, one of three such homes designed by the internationally known architect, and contains four museum galleries, an education center and a variety of outdoor sculpture. Only 15 miles west of Chicago and adjacent to the Union Pacific Metra West train line, the museum offers public tours and programs, guest lectures and art classes on a regular basis. Its mission is to enrich the lives of its visitors by broadening their knowledge, increasing their sensitivity to the fine arts and sparking the development of their own creative talents. Location: 150 Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst

Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesdays - 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Sundays - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Mondays; Tuesdays FREE to public

Admission: Adults: $4.00; Seniors: $3.00; Students: $2.00 MEMBERS and Children under 12: FREE For more information, call (630) 834-0202, or visit www.elmhurstartmuseum.org.

-end-