The Aesthetics of Research Initiative at Columbia College Chicago Wins the 2019 Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 15, 2019
Contact: Rory Litwin
Phone: 916-905-0291
Email: rory@libraryjuicepress.com
The Aesthetics of Research Initiative at Columbia College Chicago Awarded the 2nd Annual Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries
SACRAMENTO – Kristy Bowen and Jennifer Sauzer of Columbia College Chicago have been selected as the winners of the 2019 Alexandre Vattermare Award for Creativity in Libraries, in recognition of their work as creators of the Aesthetics of Research initiative (AofR), which through active exploration of ideas has found new ways to make the library a point of connection for the College’s artistic community.
The award jury was impressed by the creativity of the Aesthetics of Research initiative, which organizes several successful events series for art students, including a variety of art-making workshops, lectures, panel discussions, zine exchange nights, film screenings, and participation in larger organized events in the Chicago arts community. In addition to events, AofR mounts exhibits in a gallery space and uses a repurposed vending machine to let artists distribute small works. In the words of the initiative’s nomination letter, “The project explores the concept of libraries as a creative/ intellectual space where learning happens, not only in the traditional academic structure via collaborations with faculty, but also individually driven through curiosity and self-study, as well as peer to peer, community member to community member.” This creative vision is a good example of what the award is meant to recognize.
Given annually by Library Juice Press, the Vattemare Award recognizes contributions in the LIS field that are marked by originality, creative energy, and novel combinations of ideas. The primary consideration in selecting the awardee is their creation of new possibilities for libraries and library workers.
The award consists of $1000 and a framed certificate.
The Aesthetics of Research has a website at: http://www.aestheticsofresearch.com/