"Illinois at 200" Art Exhibit
Statewide working artist exhibit celebrates Illinois bicentennial; through Aug. 8
Exhibition: Illinois at 200
June 18 to Aug. 8, 2018, Giertz Gallery at Parkland College
Closing Reception: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 5:30–7:30 p.m.; gallery talk at 6:30 p.m. with exhibition juror Doug Stapleton, Associate Curator of Art, Illinois State Museum
To celebrate the Illinois bicentennial, Giertz Gallery at Parkland College is collaborating with 40 North: Champaign County Arts Council to host a summer exhibition highlighting the achievements of contemporary working artists from across the state.
"Illinois at 200," which will run June 18 to Aug. 8 at the gallery, comprises works by 44 artists and reflects the high quality and unique variety of art currently being created throughout the state of Illinois.
Doug Stapleton, associate curator of art at the Illinois State Museum, served as the exhibition juror. He has curated a number of exhibitions and has written numerous essays relating to the work of Illinois contemporary artists. His selections for this exhibition include a strong representation of work from the entire state, with many artists from mid-central Illinois and the Chicago metro area as well as individuals from the southern and western regions.
An opening reception for the artists will take place Thursday, June 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Kelly White, director of 40 North, and Lisa Costello, director of the Giertz Gallery, will provide brief remarks. A closing reception Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. will feature a gallery talk by Stapleton at 6:30 p.m.
Costello said she was both impressed with the artist submissions and excited to present the works Stapleton has chosen.
"He took his responsibility very seriously and selected a wide range of works that reflect the scope of creative output in our state," Costello noted. "I'm looking forward to both receptions: The opening reception is really a celebration of the artists and the many creative people who live in Illinois. The closing reception will be interesting because Doug will be coming from Springfield to discuss the work in the exhibition. He has been energetic throughout the whole process of jurying the exhibit, and I am eager to hear his insights. Both Kelly and Doug are a valuable resource to our community."
Participating artists include Jan Ellyn Adams (Champaign), Aviva Alter (Chicago), Kelly Anderson (Ottawa), Wallace Bowling (Chicago), Saxon Burns (Urbana), Jenny Chi (Champaign), Glen Davies (Urbana), Larry Davis (Knoxville), Michael Dinges (Oak Park), Sabrina Donnelly (Danville), Hale Ekinci (Chicago), Thomas Foley (Galesburg), Jeanette Habash (Skokie), David Hauptschein (Chicago), Siti Mariah Jackson (Champaign), Sara Jahn (Champaign), Jeff Little (Bloomington), Nika Lucks (Champaign), Paula McCarty (Champaign), Cammie Meerdink (Seymour), Ingrid Melief (Urbana), Charlie Mitsdarfer (Tolono), Patricia Monigold (Champaign), Scott Mossman (Chicago), Raul Ortiz (Chicago), Darby Ortolano (Murphysboro), Natalie Pivoney (Dekalb), Megan Rivera (Elgin), Kimberly Rodey (Chicago), Ann Rund (Champaign), Heather Sandy (Olney), Rosalyn Schwartz (Urbana), Kathryn Scott (Chicago), Shaheen Shorish (Champaign), David Smith (Champaign), Lynn Smith (Champaign), Judie Spencer (Urbana), Robb Springfield (Champaign), Bonnie Switzer (Urbana), Gina Szulkowski (Chicago), Paul Torgus (Skokie), Mohan Tracy (Champaign), Juliann Wang (Chicago), and Charity White (Chicago).
Stapleton said he was pleased to jury the "Illinois at 200" exhibition for several reasons.
"I was again reminded of the artistic vitality and creative energy present in Illinois," he remarked. "Having spent many years as an artist and curator in our state, I was happy to see superior work, some by artists with whom I was familiar but also a number of gorgeous and noble works that were fresh to my eyes. The works chosen for this exhibition provide a snapshot of the high caliber of artistic achievement in Illinois today."
Giertz Gallery is located on the Parkland College campus at 2400 W. Bradley Ave. in Champaign. Summer hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. To find the gallery, we suggest using the M6 parking lot on the north corner of the campus. Enter through door X7, turn left, and follow the ramps uphill to the highest point of the first floor, where the gallery is located. The gallery windows overlook the outdoor fountain area. All events in the accessible gallery are free and open to the public. Parkland College is a section 504/ADA-compliant institution. For accommodation, call 217/353-2337 or email accessibility@parkland.edu.
Programs at the gallery are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For more information, call the Giertz Gallery office at 217/351-2485 or visit www.parkland.edu/gallery.
[Image: Aviva Alter, Watchman, wire, glue, found objects, thread, pigment, fabric, 2017]