On our last day with painting up, it looks like rain, and the temperature is just above freezing. This morning I finally got a photo of Jessie, our Dear Chicago poet.
Dear Chicago,
They said rain was the source
of your wisdom. A hill not here.
when the drip becomes dots
the day will finally close.
love,
a sea not here
And here we are, on our last day with paintings up, at the breakfast meeting.
“I’m ready for it to be over,” Ari said.” And then we told our stories to each other, about our adventures - and tortures, and everything in between. It wasn't a comprehensive conversation, as we are missing so many who participated. But we had a few laughs. And then they went off to put more new pieces on the ever changing painting.
When Gord returned for lunch he said, "There's quite a few people out there today, and they're all just as amazed as ever."
Tonight we’re going to have a Leaving Ceremony at the wall at 6 o’clock and you’re invited to come say a few words about what the wall meant to you, mutter a blessing -- something for Chicago after Paintings Below Zero on Chase Promenade.
Yesterday we went to the Milwaukee Art Museum, a stunning white structure on the lake, designed by Santiago Calatrava, with ‘wings’ which open and shut.
On the freeway, I captured that large billboard as we drove by. This is the one we saw in the taxi on December 15th, on our way into Chicago to begin the project.
Colleen Duke, Cultural Affairs Officer at the Canadian Consulate, drove us.
It was great to get out of the city for an ART excursion, and to see such fine design.
Then, we had a dinner date with Jody Oshita-Bajor at 96 floors up at the John Hancock building in the Signature room, that famous tall landmark on the Chicago skyline. She hosted us at dinner: Here we are after an absolutely fantastic meal and conversation about art, architecture and politics!
Here's Peter Bajor, Jody, Katherine Bajor, me, Mark Sexton, and Gord. Thank you, Jody!
When we got back, Trevor, who works the front desk at Hard Rock Hotel, told us that it was his last day.
Trevor is going onto San Diego, a new frontier for him, in his young life. He was fantastic during our stay - as were so many at the Hard Rock. Good luck, Trevor!
Photo credits: Caitlin Hicks, Matt Hotz
The new recruit. An interdisciplinary artist with a passion for art, music and mystery, Ari also has production skills. Fascinated by spirals, fractals and other patterns of growth, Ari loves watching ice crystals form... and of course, lugging around refrigeration plates. He's our guide to Chicago and has managed to fix up a previously mangled bicycle, which he rides everywhere.
Katie has a BA in Fine Art from University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She has passion for creating ceramic sculpture and enjoys oil painting, traveling and yoga, as well as Chicago's "offerings of art & culture." Although she answers whenever anyone calls "Katie" (there are 3 interns names Katie) she's an enthusiastic worker, and a welcome addition to 
Matt is an artist, bicyclist, disc jockey, self-taught keyboardist and photographer who likes to write. This is his first 
Katelyn recently moved to Chicago from Michigan, and works as a paintings assistant for artist Tim Lowly. She has a BFA in Painting, & a BA in Art Education (Western Michigan University). An artist who paints, Katie also plays violin with a number of groups in the Chicago area. She's new to 
Katie Louise Williams really likes ice. She grew up making ice rinks in her yard, playing hockey, staring at frosty grass, and, eventually, driving a Zamboni. The project has been one of her favorite experiences with both ice and Canadians. She rides her bike everywhere. When its warmer she's a vegetable farmer.
Technical crew. Laura is new to 
This is Jaz’s third installation with Paintings Below Zero. Jaz brings a Bachelor of Arts degree in Design from Emily Carr College to the project. A fanatic of typefaces, Jaz designed & produced the artbook on the Italy installation, created the flash web site from scratch: paintingsbelowzero.com, designed a full page ad in Modern Painters (Feb 2008 ) & numerous smaller design projects for 
Raised in Calgary, Winnipeg, Nairobi, and Boston, Erik is an artist and graphic designer, (Bachelor of Design Emily Carr, 2005), who has cultivated a distinct visual art practice informed by design and international travel. Following his studies with voyages to Honduras, Italy, London, England, Toronto, and Harlem, New York, Olson returned to his native Calgary to open IDEAL, a contemporary art space. www.erikolson.ca
River grew up in Northern California and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture) from UC Santa Cruz. His wild, youthful days of travel ended abruptly when he fell in love with a dancer. Now he's married, with 3 kids, a house, 2 cars and a dog living in semi-rural British Columbia as a stone mason. He relishes 
Originally from the U.K., Nancy is now based in Toronto. With a background in art education, she first worked with 
Adrian has worked in the Broadcast, Film and Live Production fields for the past 28 years and is presently Lighting Consultant to the CTV Television Network, TSN and Rogers Sportsnet. He also counts amongst his clientele the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, for whom he is the Lighting and Set Designer for their worldwide festivals.
Art spends most of his time continent hopping with Accent Refrigeration in the cool quest to design and install the perfect system. His favorite gig is Paintings Below Zero - and will continue to be until hell freezes over. He calls home Victoria, British Columbia with his wife and 4 daughters.
This is JC’s fourth installation with 
Nancy has worked with Gordon and Caitlin with PBZ since the 2005 Italy installation. She’s the go-to person behind the scenes. Nancy is responsible to have everything in place before the crew hits the location. She brings 21 years of event management experience to this gig, and she is inspired by the work. 
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