As we all know, shopping malls across the country are struggling in the current economy. Here in St. Louis, one of them has come up with an interesting way to fill their empty retail space. Crestwood Plaza (AKA Crestwood Mall, and more recently Crestwood Court) has opted to rent space to artists, dance troupes and theater groups for 100$ a month! They’re free to use their space as a studio, a performance venue, an art gallery– whatever– with professional artists working right alongside school groups. It’s fantastic! Jeanne Johnston and her granddaughter, McKenzie, rented two of Crestwood’s largest available stores and started their own Children’s Illustrated Art Museum. They wrote to all of their favorite illustrators and asked if they would be willing to share their work, finished and in-progress, to fill the walls and they’ve gotten a wonderful response. I am proud to say they called me to see if I would be interested (duh!!) and ended up turning my illustrations from “The Night Before Christmas” into huge backlit boxes so that people can actually walk through my book for Christmas! We all went to the grand opening a couple of weeks ago. Here are some photos of the event I thought you might like to see.
Have a wonderful holiday and a peaceful, prosperous New Year!
-Mary
This display was good for everyone! What an imaginative way to celebrate the art of illustration. I miss your magazine every month and have my own small library of the magazines that I enjoy as often as my time permits! I bring them to work to inspire my imagination whenever I am creating cards for my volunteers. I am a volunteer program administrator for an airport volunteer program, 285 wonderful Senior volunteers to help our passengers. My volunteers treasure my goofy cards and your magazine and ideas are responsible for keeping this tradition alive in our community. Thank you and i wish you the best!
Corinne
I loved your fabulous idea of the display at the mall. I wished I lived in the your area I would have come and observed. I love things like this that are different. I really, really miss your magazine Home Companion–I had it delivered to my home for the eleven years you distributed it. I do hope in the future our economy picks up and the magazine comes back. It was my favorite magazine–I could not wait until the next issue.
What a great idea and great way to showcase your illustrations!! I love it. Hallmark in KC has Crown Center where every year at Christmas when my girls were little they had a play place/obstacle course for the kids to walk through before finally ending up on Santa’s lap at the end. I could see something like this there. Howcome they never picked you up or maybe they did and those were the “focus groups” you’ve been talking about…sorry if so.
What a great idea! Congratulations on your exhibit. What a great inspiration to kids to be creative and to work to accomplish their dreams You have been an inspiration, a comic relief and a silent “friend” to me for more than 20 years. I am really glad you could be honored in such a big way.
What an awesome project for you to be involved in – you are truly one of God’s blessings. I thoroughly enjoy everything you design – you are a treasure. I’m so sorry I missed this event and hope it comes back next year. I live at Lake of the Ozarks and the weather did not cooperate with me for the drive – so please bring it back again and maybe for other holidays as well. (Also loooove you fabric collection!!!!)
Thanks for sharing the photos. I miss your store when I do get to St. Louis, but this is a great use of the empty spaces. Have a wonderful 2010!
Awesome, Mary! Kudos to you and the mall! I am your fan forever!