Donna Castellanos was born in Elmhurst, studied graphic design at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and built a career making art from overlooked materials. Her sculpture Bertha, I'd like to know where you got the notion won the People's Choice Award at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in 2022. On Thursday, July 23, and Thursday, July 30, she'll be at the Elmhurst Public Library leading free collage workshops for her neighbors.

The two-day series, organized by the city's Public Arts Commission, chaired by Alison Dondlinger, is part of the Explore Elmhurst America250 celebration marking the nation's 250th anniversary. Each day offers a morning session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an evening session from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the library, 125 S. Prospect Ave.

No registration is required. All materials are provided. Participants of any age or skill level can drop in at any time during either session.

Castellanos will supply her hand-carved stamps of historical figures, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman. Guests stamp, layer, and design with vintage book pages, maps, and historical ephemera to create their own fine-art collage.

The artist has deep roots in Elmhurst's creative scene. She previously served as Education Program Coordinator at the Elmhurst Art Museum, where she taught classes and built interactive displays for major exhibitions. The museum gave her a solo show, Rescuer of Once Loved Things, in 2018. Her collaborative collage work was also featured at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, according to the city's announcement, where participants contributed to a large-scale public artwork.

The workshops are free and open to all ages. Walk in anytime during either session at 125 S. Prospect Ave.