Robert Morris University Illinois Announces Fall Exhibition: Connections

The State Street Gallery at Robert Morris University, 401 South State Street in Chicago, announces the opening of its fall exhibition, titled “Connections, Select Work by Illinois Artists and Artisans” on October 16, 2017. Running through December 21, this exhibit highlights the work of over 30 artists and artisans living and working in Illinois.

This juried collection is largely tactile and three-dimensional, including ceramic, textile, paper mache, blown and fused glass, photography, oil and other media. Work from well-known Illinois Artisan members (formerly with the Illinois State Museum), featuring the graceful curves of forged steel by Roberta Elliott, vivid landscape paintings by Didier Nolet, expressive figures by Robin Power, the funky tiles of Jason Messinger and blooming plants created by Sharon Bladholm highlight the show.

Additionally, the exhibition will evolve during its time in the gallery with a sculpture-in-progress by the ever entertaining and inventive Alan Emerson Hicks.

Works by the following artists will also be featured: William Butler, Peoria; Michelle Coakes, Taylorville; Michael Coakes, Taylorville, Kass Copeland, Chicago; Sharon Davie-Barrett, Rantoul; Tammy Deck, Berwyn; Deborah Fell, Urbana; Sarah Kaiser, Evanston; Ginny Lee, Springfield; Anne Leuck, Chicago; Patty Kochaver, Chicago; Mays Mayhew, Prospect Heights; Eugeia Meltzer, Champaign; Heather McQueen, Dennis O’Malley, Nancy Pirri and Michelle Rial of Chicago; Mary Russell, Geneva; John Scarborough, Granite City Beth Shadur, Highland Park; Laurie Shaman, Hugh Spector and Jim Spizzo of Chicago; Mary Watson, Prospect Heights; Nina Weiss, Highland Park; James Wilbat, Mundelein; and Shelley Wright, Oak Park.

Smaller hand-crafted items by the artists will be available for purchase in the ArtMart section of the gallery. Connections Select Work by Illinois Artists and Artisans will open October 16 and will run through December 21, 2017. The artists’ reception will be held on October 26 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. The gallery is located on Robert Morris University’s Chicago campus, 401 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60605. It is open Monday – Thursday, 10am – 6pm. It is free and open to the public.

Contact Shelley LaMantia-Wright for further information at swright@robertmorris.edu or 773-844-1717.

Robert Morris University Illinois is a not-for-profit, baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.* The University serves over 4000 students interested in getting an education in business, graphic arts, nursing and health care, culinary and computer studies at its main campus in Chicago, as well as at locations in Arlington Heights, DuPage, Elgin, Orland Park, Springfield, Peoria, Schaumburg and Lake County. For more information, call 800-RMC-5960 or visit the web site at www.robertmorris.edu

*Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60602, 312-263-0456.