An Unblighted Area

An Unblighted Area

The Joe McCauley Gallery is pleased to present An Unblighted Area, featuring artist Jessica McGhee.

McGhee is an eco-friendly sustainability artist committed to lowering her footprint by supporting local conservation organizations, engaging in regular clean-ups, and using found plastics in her work. Her online presence as @loveheylola on social media has helped her spread her artwork as well as educate others about the environment. Through resilience and perseverance, McGhee’s artwork depicts being able to make beautiful things and a beautiful life out of “total garbage.” Her transformation of discarded items acts as a metaphor for the challenges she has faced both mentally and physically.

When talking about her creative process, McGhee states, “I always try to create things that have a story and are somewhat surprising. The ingredients to my work start as garbage, but when you see the end result, I want that fact to come as a surprise.”

An Unblighted Area is an exhibition about what used to be. In 2009, McGhee helped turn an abandoned lot across from her bar on Main Street in Peoria into a community garden. Since then, with changes to the neighborhood that include closing her own business in 2015, the once-thriving garden was abandoned and now flaunts a “No Trespassing” sign. In 2023, McGhee moved back into the same building to open her art studio and was unable to start a new garden. In response, she began creating an artistic garden of her own, using paper flowers to tell this story.

Learn more about the exhibit and Jessica's art

Random Acts of Knowledge: Artist uses trash to create 'An Unblighted Area'

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Jessica McGhee started her business Hey Lola in 2003 as a small retail boutique, selling gifts and handmade jewelry. Most of her jewelry is made using bio resin, recycled metal, and plastic. 

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