HR0112 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0112 LRB101 10950 ALS 56124 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The College of DuPage's mission is to be a center for excellence in teaching, learning, and cultural experiences; and

WHEREAS, The College of DuPage seeks to provide accessible, affordable, and comprehensive education to all district residents; and

WHEREAS, The College of DuPage's Cleve Carney Gallery in the McAninch Arts Center has received the proud distinction of being selected to host 26 original works of art from the artist Frida Kahlo that are currently held by the Museo Delores Olmedo in Mexico; for over 40 years, such works have not been on display in Illinois for residents to experience; and

WHEREAS, The Hispanic population has been a growing and dynamic contributor to the State of Illinois; the struggles and triumph of Frida Kahlo are a part of that cultural history; and

WHEREAS, The College of DuPage seeks to present these unique Frida Kahlo pieces at the College of DuPage in 2020, with consent from the Mexican Consulate, who considers these pieces to be a national treasure of Mexico; and

WHEREAS, The College of DuPage seeks to use this exhibit to develop and cultivate unique educational and learning opportunities for not just its students and the community, but also for people from all over that the exhibit is expected to bring to Illinois; and

WHEREAS, An exhibition of this caliber, valued at over $130 million dollars, is unprecedented at a community college; and

WHEREAS, The Exhibition is planned to feature 150 personal photographs of Frida Kahlo, a documentary film, a historical exhibition, a poetry garden, a children's area, a gift shop, and a concession area; and

WHEREAS, The College of DuPage seeks to promote the Exhibition to K-12 students with a children's area containing a new work about Frida Kahlo by Illinois resident, renowned author and illustrator of over 50 children's books, Mike Venezia; and

WHEREAS, The College of DuPage seeks to surround the exhibition with a series of live, world-class performances celebrating art, culture, diversity, and Mexican heritage, including performances by Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, a film series, the children's musical Sugarskull, and a Frida Kahlo-themed classical concert performed by The New Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Kirk Muspratt; and

WHEREAS, The Cleve Carney Museum will require an expansion and transformation to museum-grade security standards to host this exhibition, and certain funds for this expansion have been preliminarily approved by the Board; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the College of DuPage's role in this unique cultural opportunity that will benefit over 130,000 residents and school children in the State of Illinois and for being selected to host 26 original works of art from the artist Frida Kahlo; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the College of DuPage as an expression of our esteem and respect.