"Mother and Son: The Art of Lee and Eldon Benz" exhibit at University Museum

UNIVERSITY MUSEUM TO FEATURE UNIQUE EXHIBITS THIS SUMMER

 from the Southern Illinoisan by ADAM TESTA

“Mother and Son: The Art of Lee and Eldon Benz,” focuses on one of the university’s alumni. Local artist Eldon Benz is himself a sculptor, building art from many different materials and literally lighting them up by incorporating colored lights into the designs.

But this exhibit isn’t only about him. He shares the spotlight with his late mother, but a great deal of credit belongs to Eldon. In 1993, a house fire claimed his father’s life and destroyed many of his mother’s prints.

“Many years later, with his computer, Eldon’s restored these prints to their original forms,” said museum director Dona Bachman. “It’s really a labor of love, and he’s brought back all these works.”

The exhibit features works by both Lee and Eldon Benz on loan from Eldon Benz and is on display until August 24.  For more information, contact eldon.benz@gmail.com.

Anna Arts Center presents "What's Hatching in Union County?"

"Dreams and Visions" Show by Marie Samuel at LEAA

Continuing a  theme of those who dream of Peace in a show on the north wall of the

Little Egypt Art Center in downtown Marion, Ill. through July 30, is Marie Samuel's exhibit

Dreams and Visions.

This body of work shows both leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Tecumseh with their hopes for justice for all as well as images once almost extinct, such as bison as a metaphor for caring for our earth and its resources. 

This show is open Monday-Friday or by calling 889-4145 to check on hours which are usually 11-3 but can vary. It is free and open to the public.  Some resources about the exhibit are on display also. A tour for groups

may be scheduled.

    

A closing potluck reception for this show and the South Wall exhibit titled Cut and Paste

is Tuesday, July 30 from 5 - 7 p.m.  Guests and members are welcome to a fried chicken dinner - bring a summer side dish, and wear a decorated hat.  For more information, call 998-8530 or email magic1248@frintier.com

"Strictly Digital" Juried Exhibit at the Anna Arts Center

'STRICTLY DIGITAL'

SHAWNEE HILLS ARTS COUNCIL

       117 W. Davie St.

   Anna IL 62906

Lee Hackney, Director
Cell 1-904-625-1109 or email:vabchlee@gmail.com


An 'Open' Juried Competition And Exhibition
Of Digital Photography

Exhibition - August 1 – September 2, 2013
Reception – August 4, 2 to 4 p.m.
Deliver Work - July 26, July 27, or July 29, 4 to 6 PM    

Amateur  -  Advanced  -  Professional

All Ages

$20 Fee for up to 3 Entries  $25 for four entries.  Hand delivered to Anna Arts Center.

Juried For Awards Only.  All Photographs Exhibited.


$200 Best Of Show.  $50 Best Of Category.  Additional Merit Awards at the discretion of Juror.

CATEGORIES: 1) Nature: Birds, Flowers, Animals, etc.;  2) Landscape, Seascape, Waterscape, Cityscape;  3) Portraits, People, Events, Activities;  4) Manipulated Photographs: Abstract, Semi-Abstract, and other constructed images; 5) Black and White, Sepia Tone, and related photography.  Juror may assign to appropriate category.


Juror: Maureen Geraghty


Union County Chamber is now on FaceBook

Chamber members are welcome to post important information about their business or organization. Non members are welcome to post comments but are not authorized to post comments about non members businesses. These comments will be removed by the page administrators as they are discovered.

Visit us on the web www.shawneeheartland.com




Jeannie Landis
Executive Director
Union County Chamber of Commerce
330 S. Main Street
Anna, IL  62906
618-833-6311
shawneeheartland@gmail.com

Kids' Camps at Anna Arts Center

The Anna Arts Center is proud to announce two separate kids’ camps the week of July 8-12: Kids “Anything Goes” Art Camp and Kids “Stars of Tomorrow” Drama Camp.

Kids “Anything Goes” Art Camp  - The creative process often involves experimentation and taking a risk. The Kids “Anything Goes” Art camp experience supports this discovery process with a non-competitive environment where mistakes are OK. The friendly atmosphere allows students to focus, try something new and enjoy what they are doing.

Jane Nimmo, the instructor, will reach the artistic individual as well as those who never thought they could draw or create works of art! Kids will get a chance to learn more about drawing such as one point perspective and light and shadow.  It's fun and great hands-on experience for artists. Campers will be grouped by age and get lots of one-on-one while having a great time.  They will work on collage, painting, sculpting and drawing. It will be a lot of fun plenty of action as they explore new techniques.

Kids “Stars of Tomorrow” Drama Camp - The Anna Arts Center proudly presents a drama camp for kids. Every day, campers will learn about Acting, Improv, Storytelling, Playwriting, Music, Dance, and Set/Costume Design. Led through fun-filled and action-packed activities of camp by Pete Housman, the instructor,  campers will delve into the workings of a theatre. 

The “Anything Goes” Art camp and the Kids “Stars of Tomorrow” Drama camp will run July 8-12 from 9 a.m. to 12, noon. On Friday night, July 12, at 6:30 pm, the kids will put on a show, exhibit their art work, and serve refreshments. Everyone is invited to come and the event is free! Cost $45/Kid or family of three kids $100 total. Both camps are designed for kids entering K through 8th grade. Also looking for High School students volunteers to assist with the kids.

Register now for either camp by calling Lee’s cell 1-904-625-1109 or email vabchlee@gmail.com. Both camps are at the Anna Arts Center, 125 W Davie Street, Anna, IL 62906. See you at the Anna Art Center!

For Kids' Sake Fundraiser at anthill gallery in Cobden

anthill gallery & vintage curiosities

618 893 3100  anthillgallery@gmail.com

anthill gallery & vintage curiosities is proud to sponsor a special exhibition of art in Cobden, Illinois in support of international fundraiser, For Kids’ Sake.  The paintings of Bangladesh artist Kamal Talukder will be exhibited beginning July 10 at the Luna Gallery in the Yellow Moon Cafe, 110 North Front Street in Cobden.

Artist Kamal Talukder is a deaf painter from Bangladesh.  His emotive artwork reflects his inner anguish about the experience of discrimination as a deaf person.   Many years ago he became aware of the efforts of For Kids’ Sake to improve the lives of children in local villages through their orphanages and schools.  When he learned of For Kids’ Sake art shows in America and Europe, he began to donate his work to benefit their efforts on behalf of the children.

Talukder, married with three children, makes his living by selling his art in the local village markets.  He utilizes a variety of media in his paintings, including varnished pastel, water color, mixed media and gouache.  Nineteen works of art by Kamal Talukder will be exhibited for viewing and for purchase. 

For Kids’ Sake is an international organization which supports six facilities that provide food, clothing, housing, healthcare and education for 550 orphans.  These sites host fully registered schools that educate more than 3500 children from surrounding villages.    FKS raises funds through art auctions, walk-a-thons, and the sale of Bangladeshi handcrafted items; the proceeds transform thousands of lives in one of the world’s poorest countries, providing basic necessities, education, and support for local cottage industries.  

anthill gallery will donate all proceeds from the sale of this art to For Kids’ Sake. 

The Yellow Moon Cafe is open Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; reopening on Friday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 

"Spinning Straw into Gold" Exhibit Open at anthill gallery in Cobden

“Spinning Straw Into Gold” titles the new exhibition by two Southern Illinois artists opening on July 3 at anthill gallery in Cobden Illinois.

Molly Groom Alter, Murphysboro and Laurie Blakely, Makanda, debut their most recent explorations in metals, enamels and fibers; ceramics and encaustic wax mediums.

Alter’s work - combining metals, enamels, ceramics, and fibers - is shaped by memory, emotions, and experiences in her life.  Her artwork in this exhibition explores the possibility of disease in the human genetic makeup, the unknown precursors which are blindly present, and the beauty in the organic nature of healthy and unhealthy cells.

Blakely’s sculptural paintings are meditations on loss and redemption.  Inspired by the natural world’s endless illustrations of decay and growth, she sculpts organic shapes that symbolize the genesis of life and change.  Blending ceramic sculpture and multiple layers of encaustic painting, she creates an etherial, complex painting in relief.  

For these two artists, “Spinning Straw Into Gold” describes their personal journeys of artistic creation.

“Spinning Straw Into Gold” opens July 3 at anthill gallery, 102 North Front Street on the historic elevated sidewalk in Cobden, and will run through August.

Beginning July 3 the hours for this exhibition will be 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

anthill gallery & vintage curiosities

618 893 3100  

anthillgallery@gmail.com

BLackdoor Gallery Hosts Feminine Perspective Show in July and August

July and August the BLackdoor Gallery in Cape Girardeau will be hosting the Feminine Perspective Show. 

This art show consists of 40 women artist and their art. We have artist from various parts of the country, local artist, college students, art instructors and professional artist.