College exhibitions feature art that informs, influences, inspires

North Central College is host year-round to a variety of art collections by renowned and rising professional and student artists, featured in its three art galleries. Two current exhibitions showcase more than captivating artwork; they also inform, influence and encourage change in important areas of life and culture. They’re free and open to the public, too.

The exhibit in Schoenherr Gallery, “The Art of Influence: Breaking Criminal Traditions,” utilizes the beauty of high-quality fine art by 18 artists to raise awareness of human rights issues. Presenters of the exhibit are curator and professor of art at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago Charles Gniech, executive producer and author Cheryl Jefferson, and coproducer and award-winning painter Richard Laurent. On display Feb. 9 through April 4, the exhibition has spurred two related events that also are free and open to the public.

On Thursday, Feb. 12, a panel discussion about the relationship of fine arts and human rights, led by the exhibit artists and curators, and a film screening of “Honor Diaries” will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the College’s Madden Theatre. And on Friday, Feb. 27, a talk by exhibiting artist Paula Kloczkowski Luberda and a performance by international classical and folkloric dancer Jasmin Jahal will be presented at 7 p.m. in Madden Theatre.

Across campus in Oesterle Library Gallery, a collaborative exhibit titled “PTSD Nation: Art and Poetry from Survivors of War, Gun Violence, and Domestic Abuse” is presented Feb. 8 through April 2 by director/curator Diana Bilovsky. Through poetry and art, created entirely by people who live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the exhibit presents a simulated experience of what it’s like to acquire and live with PTSD.

On a lighter note, senior art major Jenna Szerszen presents her solo exhibition “Potentially Permanent,” Feb. 5 through March 1, in the College’s Meiley-Swallow Hall Gallery. Her collection of mixed media, drawings and paintings focus on the simplicity of color, cleanliness and designs of tattoos as an art form.

For gallery hours or to learn more about these exhibits contact Nickole C. Lanham, North Central’s gallery director, at 630-637-5375 or nclanhammurray@noctrl.edu.   

North Central College’s 2014-2015 Fine and Performing Arts Season is partially sponsored by season supporters, including BMO Harris, Casa by Charleston, The DuPage Community Foundation, Grant Thornton, J.P. Morgan, Main Street Promenade, Marquette Properties, Monarch Landing, Nicor Gas, Ryan Hill Realty, U.S. Bank Private Client Reserve, USG and Water Street Development.