Joy Machine and The Jaunt Stage 'The Department of Objects' in Chicago
In February, four artists from California—Wyatt Hersey, Melissa Lakey, Esther Pearl Watson, and Anna Valdez—gathered at Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, for The Jaunt's Winter Camp. During their five-day stay, they encountered frigid temperatures dropping to 4°F and frozen lakes while producing pieces for the exhibition titled 'The Department of Objects,' inspired by The Green Room, a warm attic area in the camp. Established over a century ago, the camp evolved from a speakeasy into a summer getaway. Featured artworks include Hersey's 'View from Wandawega Lodge' (2026), Valdez's 'Assorted Vintage Lures' (2026), and Lakey's 'Vintage Radios' (2026). An opening reception is scheduled for October 23 from 6 to 8 p.m., with all artists present.
Key facts
- The exhibition 'The Department of Objects' stems from the third Winter Camp hosted by The Jaunt in partnership with Joy Machine
- Artists Wyatt Hersey, Melissa Lakey, Esther Pearl Watson, and Anna Valdez participated in the five-day residency
- The camp is located at Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, north of Chicago
- Temperatures during the February residency reached 4 degrees Fahrenheit
- The exhibition is named after an attic storage room at the camp known as the Department of Objects or The Green Room
- Camp Wandawega's grounds date back more than 100 years and began as a speakeasy and brothel during Prohibition
- The opening reception takes place October 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Jeroen Smeets of The Jaunt first hosted Winter Camp in 2024
Entities
Artists
- Wyatt Hersey
- Melissa Lakey
- Esther Pearl Watson
- Anna Valdez
- Jeroen Smeets
Institutions
- The Jaunt
- Joy Machine
- Camp Wandawega
- Colossal
- Latvian Catholic church
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Elkhorn
- Wisconsin
- California