The places we grow up and call home shape our lives in profound ways. This spring, Voices of Lake County invites you to dissect the connections between health, environment and nature through a series of engaging events designed to spark conversation and inspire action.

“Where we live shapes how we live,” said Stephanie Gray, dean of the Communication Arts, Humanities & Fine Arts division. “This year, the Voices of Lake County group is bringing communities together to explore the power of place—and how we can build a more just, connected and sustainable future for all.”

Voices of Lake County is a multi-year, interdisciplinary series of collaborative projects across the Communication Arts, Fine Arts and Humanities division of College of Lake County (CLC). Voices of Lake County seeks to celebrate, empower and amplify voices from the wide range of communities located in Lake County, Illinois, especially those that have been historically silenced or underrepresented in higher education.

“Lake County is home to an abundance of natural spaces, but they aren’t always accessible to everyone,” said English Instructor Laura Otto. “Our workshops and events are designed to explore what we could do to solve some of the environmental inequities in our regions through the lens of the arts and humanities.”

All events are free and open to the public.

• Erasure Poetry Workshop

  10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, Zion-Benton Public Library, Meeting Room A.

  Join poet and CLC instructor Heather McClelland for a free erasure poetry workshop and create your own nature-based poem to be displayed in a special gallery exhibit at CLC on April 10. Register online to join the Erasure Poetry Workshop.

• Poetry of Place: A Writing Workshop

  6-8:45 p.m. Thursday, April 3, Lakeshore Campus, Room S208

  This workshop explores the connection between place, nature and environmental justice in Lake County. Participants will enjoy free pizza while they collaborate to create a Poetry of Place Google Map, where they can “pin” poems or short narratives to meaningful locations, highlighting preservation efforts, sharing personal stories or envisioning solutions for environmental challenges. The final map will be showcased in a gallery exhibit at CLC on April 10 and published on the Voices of Lake County website. Bring digital photos of Lake County places that inspire you. Register online to join the Poetry of Place Writing Workshop.

• Convergence: Health Equity in a Changing Climate

  7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, Grayslake Campus, Room A011

  This performance explores the deep connection between health, environment and equity. In the United States, the number one predictor of health isn’t genetics or lifestyle—it’s your zip code. Where you live impacts your lifespan, influenced by access to nature, environmental conditions and community support systems. Convergence brings these realities to the stage, inspired by Brushwood Center’s recent findings on health, equity and nature in Lake County, Illinois. This signature concert features live music from the Black Moon Trio accompanied by storytelling and animation. CLC dance and yoga instructor Lamaiya Lancaster will lead an ensemble of student, alumni and community dancers in a special performance during the show. A pop-up gallery featuring art and poetry from the community workshops will be on display in the lobby outside of the performance hall. Register online to watch the Convergence: Health Equity in a Changing Climate performance.

• Health, Equity, and Nature Report Workshop

  6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, Grayslake Campus Willow Café

  This workshop offers an interactive discussion on the intersection of health, equity and the environment in Lake County. Jess Rodriguez, Brushwood Center’s Coalition Building Manager and certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, will present key findings from the 2023 report, “Health, Equity and Nature: A Changing Climate in Lake County, IL.” The report highlights systemic inequities affecting community well-being and provides recommendations for building a more resilient and restorative future. Engage in a meaningful conversation about how we can take action together. Register online to attend the Health, Equity, and Nature Report Workshop.

For more information:

• Study arts, digital media and communications