Arbour Lake Sghool is a collective of artists that not only explore themes of suburbia in their work, but use, engage, and challenge the suburban landscape directly:

Re-enactments of World War One with water balloons and trenches, the construction of giant cardboard volcanoes in backyards and public robot fights dissolve the hegemony of the “new community” aesthetic into a provocative and ambiguous social milieu... The Sghool’s mandate is to provide a stage for the creation and display of artistic or critical projects in a way which explores and engages our suburban setting.

In one project that altered the suburban landscape the group constructed a two story cardboard structure in their backyard:

Here is a comment from a neighbour:

It has been almost a month with the "structure". As I have said they are good neighbours generally. They are not noise makers or wild party goers. We (not just us but several families) as neighbours find it difficult, as over the past year or so there have many projects that would be perfectly acceptable on remote acreage but in an area such as this, where everyone takes pride in their homes and gardens, makes us uncomfortable & quite frankly embarrassed as your house & yards stands out frequently as being remarkably different. Quite often when many guests, family & visitors come by we are trying to explain the various belongings, artifacts & events. What happens inside the house is does not concern us & is none of our business but when it comes out side it affects us & the looks of the entire neighbourhood.

What is the role of artistic expression in the 'burbs? The Arbour Lake Sghool presents a illustrative although overtly controversial example of art in the suburbs. It seems as though the role of the suburb is changing in terms of arts and culture. The city of Atlanta recently moved its Opera house to a suburb (read more). Is there a demand for larger cultural facilities in the 'burbs? Is it possible that the suburban lifestyle is transitioning from idyllic conformity and opening up to something different?

Check out Arbour Lake Sghool's Website: link

and their recent installation in the New Gallery +15 space: link