Presented by Test Site Art Foundation

October 2nd - October 6th

213 N 3rd St, Rockford, Illinois

Featured Artists: Bob Schlehuber, Eamonn James Talkington, Valentina Fedoseeva, Eddaviel, Alizé Jireh, Benjamin Chauvin, Jahbarr S. Hyles, Roni Golan, Tom Stone, and Roland Poska

Co-Sponsored by: Peacebuilding Connections, Ron Clewer, Lois Lutz, Working Families Party, Rockford University, The Nikolas Ritschel Foundation, Rockford Area Arts Council, Tiffany and Tom Stone, NAMI Northern Illinois

Additional Support: Jim and Pam Keeling, Gorman Housing, Wray and Sue Howard, Mike Peck, Ann Hager, Dr. Bill and Sue Gorski, Libby Knopp, Joan Sage, John Guse, Chimwemwe Msiska, Diego Aguirre, and Mucha

A Reflection on Isolation

For three days, Rockford native Bob Schlehuber will isolate himself in a room inside a room—without phone, internet, books, or outside communication—to highlight the growing crisis of isolation and loneliness. This performance art piece, “A Reflection on Isolation,” symbolizes the invisible barriers that separate us, even when we’re surrounded by others. The public will observe Bob’s experience from the outside, and on the final day, will have the opportunity to step into a smaller isolation room, experiencing the effects of solitude firsthand.

This project emerges from Bob’s deep commitment to peacebuilding through art and community engagement. Isolation affects a wide range of people, from seniors in nursing homes to those in solitary confinement, and even individuals cut off by technology. “A Reflection on Isolation” is sponsored by Working Families Party, NAMI Northern Illinois, Rockford University, Ron Clewer, Rockford Area Arts Council, and the Nik Ritschel Foundation, all of which work to combat isolation. Through this interactive experience, the project seeks to spark conversations and inspire community action around peacebuilding.

A remarkable range of multimedia artists will offer their own insights and engagements around the theme of loneliness and interdependence, creating a powerful environment for reflection and connection.

Isolation Experience

For three minutes, step into the Isolation Room, built specifically for Rockford ArtScene, and immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind reflection on isolation. This has never been done before—don’t miss this unique, transformative experience. Make a donation of any amount and reserve your timed tickets now!

Present proof of donation at Test Site’s information table October 4th or 5th for tickets. All proceeds go towards addressing isolation and loneliness through peacebuilding projects and events.

Saturday, October 4th - 5-10 pm

Sunday, October 5th - 12-4 pm

Watch Live:

72 hours of isolation: Wednesday, October 2nd at 5 pm-Saturday, October 5th at 5 pm

Isolation: A Public Health Crisis

  • “Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders.

    U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy

  • A national study found that 34% of seniors report feeling isolated, while 37% feel a significant lack of companionship. With over 53,375 residents over 65 in Winnebago County, we must address the impacts of isolation, including diminished quality of life, higher stress and blood pressure, and increased risks of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline.

    Malani, P. (2023, March 13). Trends in loneliness among older adults from 2018-2023.

    Bennett, D.A., Schneider, J.A., Buchman, A.S., Barnes, L.L., Boyle, P.A., & Wilson, R.S. (2012)

  • Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) was associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. Further, Loneliness among heart failure patients was associated with a nearly 4 times increased risk of death, 68% increased risk of hospitalization, and 57% increased risk of emergency department visits.

    National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The Rockford Area Arts Council acknowledges the profound impact of loneliness on people in our community and we support Bob Schlehuber and his isolation and loneliness experiment. Art provides an opportunity for self-reflection and awareness—it is a unique vehicle for empathy and compassion. I believe the Rockford community will feel, just by witnessing Bob’s experience, his isolation and internalize the impact of it on themselves and those in our community.

– Mary McNamara Bernsten, Rockford Area Arts Council

UnIsolating: The Role of Art and Peacebuilding

  • Research has shown that exposure to stories of other cultural experiences significantly increases empathy and the ability to see another person’s point of view. Additionally, cultural participation leads to wider community engagement, with one study revealing that participants most involved in cultural activities were 50 percent more likely to be involved in other (non-arts) community activities.

    Tebes, J., Matlin, S., Hunter, B., Thompson, A., Prince, D., & Mohatt, N. (2016)

  • An English longitudinal study assessed the impact of visiting arts venues on loneliness over ten years. Over 3,000 participants showed that visiting galleries, exhibitions, or museums every few months reduced loneliness by 26%, and attending theater, concerts, or opera reduced it by 33%. These effects were independent of initial loneliness, social, demographic, and economic factors, suggesting that engaging with art itself caused the improvements.

    Tymoszuk, U., Perkins, R., Fancourt, D., Williamon, A. (2020)

  • “One of the ways creative arts can be healing is because it allows people to re-explore various things consciously and unconsciously that may be holding them back and causing loneliness”

    Jeremy Nobel, Author of “Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection”

Isolation Experience Timed Tickets

For three minutes, step into the Isolation Room and immerse yourself in a powerful reflection on isolation. Don’t miss this unique, transformative experience—make any donation and reserve your timed ticket now!

Present proof of donation at Test Site’s information table October 4th or 5th. All proceeds go towards addressing isolation and loneliness through peacebuilding projects and events.

Saturday, October 4th - 5:30 pm-10 pm

Sunday, October 5th - 12-4 pm

Schedule of Events Test Site Art Foundation, 213 N 3rd St, Rockford, IL 61107

Wednesday, October 2nd at 5 pm-Thursday, October 3rd: Bob Schlehuber begins 3-day isolation

Friday, October 4th and Saturday, October 5th from 4-10 pm: Rockford Art Scene Open House ft. Eamonn James Talkington, Valentina Fedoseeva, Eddaviel, Alizé Jireh, Benjamin Chauvin, Jahbarr S. Hyles, Roni Golan, and Roland Poska’s “Declarations of Interdependence - Rockford Series”

Sunday, October 6th: Open Gallery Hours and Isolation Experience at Test Site Art Foundation