Illinois State Museum Encourages Student Creativity with Upcoming High School Showcase

ISM Location: Springfield

For Immediate Release:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois State Museum is excited to invite Central Illinois high school students to look to 19th century women’s fashion for creative inspiration in the new year. The High School Showcase will invite local schools to submit one student-created clothing piece or accessory to be exhibited at the Museum this summer. The Showcase is being held in conjunction with the exhibit Fashioning Illinois, 1820-1900 (opening on March 21) that will explore both the personal experience of wearing and caring for clothing as well as the way fashion reflected the changing roles and attitudes about women over the first 80 years of Illinois statehood.

Starting February 1 through March 1, schools may sign up to participate and receive Showcase information. Teachers will be provided with an online version of the exhibition, as well as classroom resources to give their students the information and inspiration they will need to create a clothing or accessory item inspired by the clothing and objects in the Fashioning Illinois exhibit. The best creation from each school will go on exhibit at the Museum in mid-May and will remain on display through the end of the summer.

“It is our hope that in addition to encouraging students to think creatively about this history exhibit, the Showcase will also provide a great opportunity for teachers in history, art, and family consumer science to work together to provide interdisciplinary instruction,” said Lorna Shuman, Curator of Education at the Illinois State Museum.

The High School Showcase is open to schools in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Sangamon counties. The Showcase Exhibit is limited to the first 25 registered schools. Some funding to assist with supplies is available. In order to participate, students must attend a school or home school cooperative that has registered to participate with the Illinois State Museum.

Interested teachers and/or home school cooperatives should contact Lorna Shuman at lorna.shuman@illinois.gov or 217-782-0061 for more information and registration.

The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring Street in Springfield.  It is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 noon to 4:30 p.m.  Admission is $5 for adults ages 19-64.

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Contact Person: Lorna Shuman

Contact Email: Lorna.Shuman@illinois.gov

Contact Phone: (217) 782-0061

Release File (pdf): ism-showcase-jan2020.pdf

Release File (doc): ism-showcase-jan2020.docx