Museum History

(The Long Version)

Sparkerland opened to the public May 16, 2025. The journey toward that day

Growing up in a lush forested neighborhood called Holcomb in Mundelein, IL there was plenty of inspiration for drawing nature, animals, light and shadow. Sketchbooks were filled to the brim. Newspaper comic book strips and graffiti on local train cars also fueled her early visual interests. Over time, Sparker’s creative practice became less about representation of an image, and more about evocation of a specific feeling, moment. Like massive weather patterns taking over spaces, her abstract forms would change dramatically in color and materiality while maintaining an overwhelming quality of movement that would sweep across her work for decades. As a result, Sparker has absorbed all types new media, mastering everything from a jig saw to a sewing machine.