​     see & share?  That's exactly how the idea of Emergence of Spirit came into being.  For one stylist, the daily grind just wasn't cutting the mustard. She knew there was something more to be offered, that she couldn't possibly be the only one who felt this way, and that she needed the talents of other artists to bring this project to life--in fact, other artists were a part of what was missing.  So she took her dream to a local grant contest, which brought a breath of freshness to this idea, even as the funding went to another artist. In three weeks, the company came together with no one, but its creator and a few friends who shared this vision, really knowing what was to come on September 18, 2011. That night, everyone in attendance knew that a luminary had been ignited, and that "Expressions from the Self Within" was only the beginning.

Now in its fourth consecutive year exhibiting, Emergence of Spirit and its artists are always looking for ways to grow & bring the best art experience to its audiences.  "The challenge is always how to create art from what we already have and not bring in a lot of excess or accrue waste," says creator Michele Chillook.  "In fact, many of the items you see on stage are actually made from things we might normally throw away or assume to be recycled when actually, at this time in our community, these articles are being tossed without our knowing because we don't realize they aren't accepted as recyclable in our facilities.  I just wanted a way to give these items a second life that they--or our community--wouldn't normally see. It's very rewarding to see a problem and be able to find a solution in such a way that benefits our world in so many ways--re-framing our view. I think that's what art is all about, and it really helps us to restructure our patterns." And so is the mission of Emergence of Spirit...

 

EoS is a collaborative arts effort founded by Michele Chillook, creator and director. A recipient of the Dubuque 365 Impact Award for the Arts in the category of “Shared Artist Spirit, Changing Expectations in the Face of Arts

in Dubuque,” the mission of Emergence of Spirit is to provide an eccentric, quality art runway show in the rugged warehouse district of downtown Dubuque, Iowa. 

Emergence of Spirit 2015 Designers

Team Leaders {Team Members}

 

Hair and MakeUp

 

Michele Chillook {Stacey Dudgeon, Emily Martens, Justina Wiegel, Amber Podstawa}

 

Lauren Hogan {La'Tosha Calhoun, Mika}

 

Sarah Gauley  {Parker Hair Design, Paige Plath}

 

Elizabeth Shade {Andrea Kirk}

 

 

Costume Teams 

Beth Bennett

Nicole Welsh

Kirsten Balayti

Devia Coutour