[Communications] PRESS RELEASE: Art-in-Place Debuts in Wicker Park

[Marielle Mervau]

Artist Megan Williamson Debuts Public Art Installation with Message of Hope

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Images available for download *HERE
<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1s0MZzYk-UkheFkVCGxpGAUltzYjv4BDM>.*
*Press Contact:* Marielle Mervau
mariellemervau at gmail.com <Mariellemervau at gmail.com?subject=Press%20Inquiry>
(408) 568-4521
<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1s0MZzYk-UkheFkVCGxpGAUltzYjv4BDM?usp=sharing>

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: *CHICAGO (August 29, 2022) - This week, *Ipsento
Coffee *in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood debuted a new public art
installation by artist *Megan Williamson.* *Falling*, Williamson’s
dreamlike window installation, reimagines ways to experience art while
aiming to inspire a sense of hope in Chicagoland residents.

In the winter of 2022, Williamson began drawing acrobats mid-air, falling
in space. Today, the ongoing series of gestural portraits continue to
symbolize how Williamson feels—in limbo—helpless to the state of violence
in the United States and uncertain of what the future holds. *Falling*
transforms the series into a powerful site-specific installation for
Ipsento Coffee’s window. Although the performers are falling into the
unknown, their peaceful silhouettes create an atmosphere of hope within the
unstable environment. Williamson explains, “suspense is what makes their
performances so thrilling. There is always a chance of failure, but they
always land the trick.”

*Falling* is Williamson’s first large-scale public artwork and her second
collaboration with the nationwide public art initiative *ART-IN-PLACE*.
ART-IN-PLACE invites artists to create new work in response to the current
state of unprecedented violence in the United States. The project aims to
unite Chicagoland residents during this challenging time and encourage
viewers to take action towards justice, equity, and human rights. 20% of
sales from artworks included in the project will be donated to a social
justice non-profit organization of the artist’s choosing. ART-IN-PLACE is
organized by CNL Projects and Terrain Exhibitions. *Falling,* and other
artworks, will be on view in public spaces across Chicago from September 1
- October 15, 2022.

*Megan Williamson *(she/her) is a Chicago-based painter. Her work has been
shown in Italy, Ireland, Canada, and in dozens of venues across the United
States. She was awarded an Innovation Fellowship with the National Science
Foundation in 2014 and a DCASE Grant in 2015. She has taught at
institutions across Italy and in the United States including the School of
the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Michigan, Columbia College,
University of Dallas, and more. Williamson attended the New York Studio
School, Yale’s Norfolk Summer Program, and Queens College Landscape
Painting Program. Her work can be found in private and corporate
collections throughout the country.

*For more information:*
*About ART-IN-PLACE*: www.artinplace.net
*About Megan Williamson:* www.meganwilliamson.com

Photo: Megan Williamson, *Falling (installation view)*, 2022, Sumi in on
silk, 67 x 114”. Photo Credit: Liz Vitlin

*Ipsento Coffee is located at* 1813 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647.
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/1813+N+Milwaukee+Ave,+Chicago,+IL+60647/@41.9144331,-87.6854495,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x880fd2bdda92a665:0xa4036365627e4a6a!8m2!3d41.9144331!4d-87.6832555?shorturl=1>
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