CAMG CO3 2 IS THE MOLECULAR FORMULA FOR DOLOMITE LIMESTONE—CALCIUM MAGNESIUM CARBONATE

The creation of this artwork
was made possible by
Art Movement Inc.

ART MOVEMENT IS A PASSIONATE COLLECTIVE THAT SEEKS TO IGNITE CREATIVITY AND VISIBILITY FOR ARTISTS IN THE JOLIET AREA. AS AGENTS OF CHANGE, THE ART MOVEMENT PROMOTES ART BY FOSTERING CONNECTIONS WITH NONPROFITS, BUSINESSES, AND THE COMMUNITY. THEIR DIVERSE EFFORTS INSPIRE THE REGION'S CREATIVE POTENTIAL AND SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF ARTISTS AND ART ENTHUSIASTS ALIKE. THROUGH EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO SHARE THEIR ARTISTIC EXPERIENCES, THE ART MOVEMENT IS EXCEPTIONAL AT AMPLIFYING ARTISTS SO THAT THE STORIES THEY TELLS COME TO LIFE IN A TRULY IMPACTFUL WAY.

I am incredibly grateful that the photos were beautifully framed by the talented artist Dante DiBartolo, whose craftsmanship narrates the river's relationship with the rocks.

The 4x5 camera from Room 620 at Joliet Central High School holds immense significance to me. The Toyo camera I used for this project was once owned by Joe Baltz, my first photography teacher, who played a pivotal role in shaping my perception of the world. For over 15 years, I have credited Joe on my website, recognizing how he transformed my life by revealing how a camera can serve as a powerful tool to express one's reality. Prior to joining Joe's class, I attended a fundamental Christian private school, unknowingly limiting my worldview and keeping me closed-minded. However, Joe challenged my perspective, encouraging me to see things from another viewpoint. This sparked a lifelong pursuit of learning how to "see" and practicing the fine art of awareness.

My focus for this project revolved around dolomite limestone. This limestone, extracted from the banks of the Des Plaines River, serves as both a literal and figurative foundation upon which the city of Joliet was built. 

Originating from the remains of ancient sea creatures that once inhabited the state's oceans, the limestone dolomite formed as these creatures perished, their remains compacting on the ocean floor and mixing with sand or clay. Even today, Joliet rests upon a substantial bed of dolomite just beneath the surface.

Water and stone have shared a timeless relationship. The merging of the DuPage River with the Des Plaines River in Channahon, followed by the convergence of the Kankakee River, forms the Illinois River. This intricate network of waterways is an inland canoe route connecting the Great Lakes to the Illinois River, which, in turn, flows into the mighty Mississippi River. These ancient waterways have been the lifeblood of the Midwest, sustaining the land since time immemorial.

Joliet stone holds a significant presence in historical landmarks across the nation. It is Joliet Limestone that supports the footsteps of presidents as they ascend the main staircase in the White House. Chicagoans proudly point to the renowned Water Tower, a resilient survivor of the devastating Great Fire of 1871, they are pointing to the enduring strength of Joliet stone.

Today, only a few remnants of the once-thriving quarries remain, silently bearing witness to the stone that played a vital role in the foundation of our cities. Many of these quarries have been reclaimed by water, returning to their creator.