Checkeditout / Jas Petersen Mural #Check22
The reveal of our mural project with Jas Petersen for Checkeditout Chicago.
Original Seventy, the name given to all who came out for the very first Checkeditout. All of the Checkeditout board members are ‘OG 70,’ but one. Jenny Rhoades @hotsake911 became involved with Checkeditout in year two. Quickly becoming an active member of our community, volunteering at our first Checkeditout pre-party and being a featured storyteller at #check19. Which led to Jenny becoming the seventh CIO board member, contributing to marketing, branding and event planning.
In late Summer 2020, Jenny was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and admitted to Rush University Medical Center for intensive treatment that lasted several months. After achieving remission in the spring of 2021, the cancer returned causing Jenny to need a stem cell transplant and further treatment through the end of that year. Jenny is currently on the mend and very active with planning Check22.
For our creative director Adam Kern with Lowend Garage Chicago working with artist Jas Petersen was on his dream list for a considerable amount of time. It’s not easy to pinpoint when the ideas happen, but what started with a DM to Jas, lead to an hour-long phone call across the globe, to discus what would become the Jenny/Fast Girl project. To create a mural that will have a life of its own, get to work with a great artist like Jas, all the while sharing our feelings as a unit for someone we adore, this project seemed like a daunting challenge, but there is nothing that we cannot take on.
During that initial call, Adam stated that it felt so natural. ‘There was no need to sell the project, no arm twisting. Jas understood the idea and eagerly wanted to be a part of it.’ Through the winter there was a bit of a waiting game. Checkeditout needed a wall and a venue, plus the support to be able to work with a high-profile artist such as Jas.
Jas’ work explores the concept of the Fastgirl, a singular fascination that has been at the center of her work for over a decade. With being known as the most welcoming automotive event around, Checkeditout is a real fan of the strong feminine character found in Jas’ work. And we have a close friend who resembles just that in her 996 Turbo. After Jenny’s second bout in two short years with cancer, a quote on Jas’ website gave us pause:
“I grew up around strong women - my mother, my grandmothers, and sisters - and for this it is important for me to show spirited women on the canvas. I try to embody that energy through my art.”
Jenny was busy this past week in Monterey California, working on events for @Hagerty which made all of us at Checkeditout proud. But it posed a real problem for us, how would we get Jenny and Jas together before Jenny left for the West Coast. From the start, our goal was to reveal this grand project to Jenny as a surprise and have it documented on film. Weeks prior, we not only found our wall at @alphagarage but with the support of Napleton Westmont Porsche, Porsche Downtown Chicago and all of the Check22 sponsors, it was ‘lights out’ for our mural project.
Jenny has indeed become the next Fast Girl in the world of Jas Petersen, but with boost!
Film by 916 Media Group
Thank you to Westmont Porsche and Porsche Downtown Chicago, our presenting partners. ‘A Modern Classic Display.’ @westmont_porsche @porschedowntownchicago @pcarmarket @autobahncc @mpcars @lowendgaragechicago @perillocollisioncenterchicago @rohannawheels @burdiclothing @alphagaragechicago @hagerty @roads.united @gdesignracing @flyjetout @barnabaautosport Mayer Tool & Engineering, Inc. @panorammacollectionllc @gearheadworkspace @furlanguitars @armandochacongroup @midwestautoshield @_futureclassic @mouse_motors