10/13/2026
Our attic is about to have its first gallery show.
In February, The Jaunt teamed up with Joy Machine to bring Wyatt Hersey, Melissa Lakey, Esther Pearl Watson (she/her), and Anna Valdez to camp. They spent five days painting, sharing meals, and exploring the grounds in the snow.
They found their way to our Department of Objects—an attic full of old books, fishing lures, patches, and camp ephemera—and made it their studio.
Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos from their visit, along with the work it inspired.
We love having artists here. Alongside gatherings like this, we have our own artist-in-residence program. Both give people time and space to make things, get to know each other, and follow whatever catches their eye. It’s always a gift to see what someone else notices in a place we know so well.
Now, that attic has inspired an exhibition—and lent it its name.
The Department of Objects opens October 23 at Joy Machine, 6–8 p.m. All four artists will be there, along with a few objects from camp.
A little about the people who brought this together:
Founded by Jeroen Smeets, The Jaunt sends artists around the world to experience new places and cultures. Back home, each artist creates a limited-edition silkscreen print inspired by their journey.
Joy Machine is a contemporary art gallery in Chicago’s Irving Park, founded by Grace Ebert, Colossal’s editorial director, and Christopher Jobson, Colossal’s founder. The gallery shows emerging and established artists, with joy at the heart of its programming.
