Local artist exhibits 1,000 origami cranes in the Dole Mansion

In the month of August, Lakeside is proud to exhibit the work of local artist Patty Bell. A Crystal Lake Central High School and Art Institute of Schaumberg graduate, Patty will be showing her “Make a Wish” exhibit, featuring one thousand origami cranes opening at First Friday on August 3rd from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Patty began experimenting with origami when she created an origami tree with cranes suspended from it. After showing her work to Central’s art teacher, Bob Hewitt, he instilled the idea to cover the ceiling of CLC’s art hallway with her cranes. Patty then decided to make one thousand, in tradition with ancient Japanese legend that promises one wish for every one thousand cranes created. A few years later, Patty was asked to assist at a Cancer walk in Elgin. She made origami cranes with the children in honor of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl diagnosed with terminal cancer after the bombing of Hiroshima. Before she died, she attempted to make one thousand origami cranes to gain one wish, and that was to be cured. While Sasaki did not live long enough to create 1,000 cranes, her legend has lived on. After four years of being installed at Central High School, Lakeside is excited to welcome the “Make a Wish” exhibit to the second story of the historic Dole Mansion. The public is welcome to take self-guided tours while viewing this installation hung between Mr. Dole and Mrs. Dole’s bedrooms. Patty and other volunteers will be hosting a table where kids can create origami and color images of the historic Dole Mansion. Also at First Friday, Creative Artistry School of Fine Arts will also be offering free face painting and crafts. Meet Patty, view three art exhibits, and listen to live music at the free, First Friday event on August 3rd from 5:30pm-7:00pm at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park. The August event also features exhibits from Creative Artistry School of Fine Art, oil painter Danute Loane with performances by jazz pianist Scott Tarson, and Martin Lopez’s violin group, 4 Strings Attached. The Make a Wish installation, as well as all the other exhibits, will be viewable for the entire month of August, 9am-5pm. For more information on the Lakeside Legacy Foundation at 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake IL, membership, volunteering and upcoming events please visit www.lakesidelegacy.org or contact the foundation at 815-455-8000.