Immersing themselves in the vibrant art scene of the Windy City, a group of MICDS Upper Schoolers and their dedicated chaperones embarked on a whirlwind tour of several artistic hubs in Chicago. Students enrolled in AP Art History, AP Studio Art, and AP 2D and 3D Design, along with Upper School Arts Teachers Patrick Huber, Denise Douglas, and Dr. Kevin Slivka, were eager to explore the robust itinerary. They marveled at everything from the iconic halls of the Art Institute of Chicago to public architecture along the city’s skyline. They studied the intricate details and history of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, wandered through the contemporary masterpieces at the Museum of Contemporary Art, dove into the depths of ancient cultures at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, and enjoyed the enriching exhibits at the Field Museum.
The Robie House, built in 1910 as a single-family home and considered one of the finest examples of Prairie School/Style, was particularly inspiring for Mia Krieger ’24. She shared, “The Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House was really cool and my favorite part of the trip. The attention to detail and the house’s backstory was very interesting as he also designed the interior, windows, lighting, rugs, furniture, and textiles. It inspired me to learn more about his architecture!”
Along the way, AP Art History students encountered familiar artworks from their AP curriculum, forging connections between the classroom and the galleries and even experiencing awe at viewing some of the works in real life. During the weekend of arts immersion, there was still room for fun at classic eateries such as Portillo’s and Lou Malnati’s and an evening with an energetic performance by the Blue Man Group. Ella Brauer ’24 appreciated the balance of fun and learning. “I thought the Chicago trip was very fun. It was essentially a good balance of fun and learning; we went to museums and presented our chosen works and we went and saw the entertaining Blue Man Group! Our presentations had to be over artists who are included in the AP Art History required works so the trip served as preparation for the AP test next week,” she said.
Carli Salazar Estrada ’25 shared, “I loved the trip to Chicago as it is incredibly valuable to the Art History students preparing to take the exam in a few weeks. At times, in the classroom, it is difficult to understand the importance of an art piece or why its history and its creation change the way we look at art today when we only see it on a projector in the classroom. Seeing similar works and pieces in Chicago was very eye-opening for my peers and me, as we understood why these artists were revolutionary for their time and how they could evoke such change in the art community.
“I enjoyed the Chicago architecture tour given to us the first morning/day that we were there. Although it was chilly and very windy, we could walk around the important streets of Chicago and learn about the different styles and architects that changed Chicago into the architectural center it is today. One of the places that we visited that impacted me the most was the Robie House. When we learned about Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style and how his idea of organic and natural architecture was unheard of in the 1920s, it was difficult to see why that was different from other houses we saw during the period. Our tour of the house, seeing the attention to detail and how the quality of the house was preserved, helped us travel back in time and experience the house as it was originally built and intended.
“I love my AP Art History class because we learn about a variety of different artists and art styles from many different cultures and customs, and this trip was something I was looking forward to for a long time. My experience on this trip surpassed all expectations, and I feel more prepared for the AP exam after seeing much of the work in person.”
For these students, Chicago was more than a destination; it was a canvas of discovery with many memorable moments and a boost to their artistic knowledge and preparation!