with Elise Holowicki
Thursdays, April 23rd, April 30th, May 7th, May 14th, and May 21st.
Teen Sessions (ages 13-18): 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Adult Sessions (ages 19+): 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Opal History is an eight-part workshop taking place in the Spring of 2026. Led by OPAL 2026 artist in residence Elise Holowicki with guest instructors and speakers.
Throughout sessions, participants will learn about the events of 1954 in Oak Park involving a burgeoning cult of acolytes, a prophecy predicting the end of the world, and the community response to international attention around these occurrences.
Artists will explore themes in weekly projects to propel their practice in terms of personal reflection, dissecting themes, and implicit integration of historical context into their work. Unpacking the history of the coining of the term cognitive dissonance in 1956, participants will be challenged to draw present-day inferences that will help inform the final collective project of the workshop.
Culminating in a community group mural project, participants will have the opportunity to complete their own mural and become a part of OPAL history.
Details of the event in December ‘26 in celebration of the workshop and OPAL’s 105th year to be announced. Participants are asked to sign an image release form for a video project by Holowicki documenting the process.
Session 1: April 23rd - Introduction to The Seekers
Collaborative skills development & moodboarding.
Session 2: April 30th - Giving Shape to Emotion
Introduction to automatic writing, emotional tracking, and cognitive dissonance.
Guest Speaker: Karina Breezer
Session 3: May 7th - Story and Transformation
Introduction to wheatpasting.
Guest speaker: Penny Pinch
Session 4: May 14th - Witnessing History
Mural design and preparation.
Session 5: May 21st - Construction
Mural panel assembly and construction
Registration and Fees
Members: $185.00; after 4/18/2026: $205.00
Non-Members: $205.00; after 4/18/2026: $225.00
Advanced Registration Required.
Registration and Code of Conduct Policy
About the Artist-In-Residence:
Elise Holowicki is an award-winning filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist driving stories for film, digital, and exhibition spaces.
Leveraging her background in film production and applied psychology, Holowicki’s work leans into the irreverent and abstract while maintaining a meaningful narrative core. Working at the intersection of art and technology, her approach entails a focus on clarity while honoring curiosity through experimentation
Holowicki’s breadth of commercial and narrative work spans a long list of clients and collaborators within the entertainment space, such as NBC Universal, Turner, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, HBO, Live Nation, Blizzard, and Hulu, along with socially conscious brands and community-driven non-profits. Originally from Chicago, Holowicki is passionate about making arts programs more accessible to the next generation of filmmakers, storytellers, and artists. She is an advisory board member at 826Chicago and a graduate of Chapman University’s program in film and media arts.