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OPAL History is a multi-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 collaborate on a 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 3: May 7th - Story and Transformation
Introduction to wheatpasting.
Other Sessions
Session 4: May 14th - Witnessing History
Mural design and preparation.
Session 5: May 21st - Construction
Mural panel assembly and construction
OPAL History is a multi-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 collaborate on a 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 3: May 7th - Story and Transformation
Introduction to wheatpasting.
Other Sessions
Session 4: May 14th - Witnessing History
Mural design and preparation.
Session 5: May 21st - Construction
Mural panel assembly and construction