‘The Stick’ silhouette art exhibit comes to Isle a la Cache

Artwork created by South Carolina silhouette artist Clay Rice will be on display during “The Stick” Traveling Exhibition starting Friday, Sept. 23, at Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville.

The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays until Sunday, Dec. 13.

The free, all-ages traveling exhibit at Isle a la Cache was developed by Rice and the South Carolina State Museum.

The works of art are based on the artist’s children’s book “The Stick,” about a young boy who embarks on an exciting journey after finding a stick.

“Isle a la Cache is all about connecting people with nature, history and culture, so we’re really excited to bring 'The Stick' here,” said Jen Guest, facility supervisor at Isle a la Cache. “We love that the exhibit uses art and storytelling to get people thinking about the natural world in a new way. Hopefully, visitors will leave the museum, head out into the preserve and see all kinds of possibilities in the things they find around them.”

The exhibit will feature original hand-cut illustrations from the artist, who blends the elegant black-and-white silhouette tradition with a colorful world in the story of the power of imagination.

The exhibit is sponsored by The Nature Foundation of Will County.

“'The Stick' is such a natural fit for Isle a la Cache because it encourages children and families to see nature through a lens of curiosity and imagination,” Guest said. “Something as simple as a stick can become the beginning of an adventure, and that really connects with what we hope people experience when they visit our preserves: exploring, discovering and finding inspiration in the natural world.”

Sixteen pieces of original artwork will be on display at the museum along with information about the artist.

“Visitors can also enjoy a collection of his books in a quiet reading spot in the museum,” Guest said. “We’re excited to give people a chance to take their time, enjoy the artwork and explore the stories behind it.”

In conjunction with the exhibit, Isle a la Cache Museum also will offer WonderKids: "The Stick" on Thursday, Dec. 3, and a weekend edition on Saturday, Dec. 12, giving families with young children the opportunity to experience the story through hands-on activities, crafts, singing and storytelling. Program details, including registration information, will be posted online closer to the dates.