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"A Community Collects, A Community Creates" exhibits open at University Museum
Factoid: Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
Talia Shoot twirled around the room Friday, admiring her red and white striped dress, while her sister, Dagan, looked on and clapped from her nearby stroller.
Talia, 4, and Dagan, 2, did not seem to mind that they were the youngest attendees of the "A Community Collects and a Community Creates" reception that took place in the University Museum. Nor were they particularly affected by being in the presence of works by such prestigious artists as Rembrandt Harmenszoon von Rijn and Salvador Dali.
"Oh, they've been coming to these forever," laughed their mother, Sarah Shoot, an SIUC graduate from Wansor.
Shoot, who has been creating since 1995, had a piece titled Hay Fever II on display as part of the "Community Creates" exhibit.
The juried exhibit, located in the south hall gallery of the museum, features works from 16 area artists in such mediums as acrylics, oils, fabrics, photography and sterling silver sculptures.
As fascinated as the girls were with their matching dresses, the older patrons were equally enthralled by the statues, paintings, and sketches adorning the walls of the north gallery where "A Community Collects" was featured.
The exhibit showcases famous works on loan from area art collectors. In addition to celebrated artists such as Francisco de Goya and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, patrons can view several pieces by local artists who have achieved prominence, such as Burnett H. Shryock, a former dean of art and vice president at SIUC.
The reception marked the opening of both exhibits, and will remain on display through Aug. 1 in the University Museum located at the north end of Faner Hall.
The Collectors' series featured pieces of all mediums from across the world. Patrons can view a marble sculpture from Zimbabwe, silk embroideries from Peking and even an antique Chinese horse, which is dated from the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago.
"That's a million dollar wall over there," uttered one of the patrons, in awe of the talent compiled by local collectors.
As the band Swinging Seniors played classics such as "Only You," avid art connoisseurs and those attending for the first time drifted through the museum, admiring the art, both old and new.
"That's a neat combination," said Laura Samper of Wheaton. "I'm excited to see what they have."
Samper, in town visiting a friend, said they originally went to view Mary Pakikara's works that were also on display. The reception also marked the end of Pakikara's watercolor exhibit, which concluded Sunday.
Ed Shay, a professor in School of Art and Design, and Felice Kent, a graduate student in sculpture, chose the art for "A Community Creates."
Each piece is accompanied by an artist's statement that explains his or her vision and inspiration for the piece.
Artists have donated one of their works, displayed along the north wall of the south gallery. The art will be displayed until Aug. 23, when a public auction will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All proceeds will go to benefit the museum.
