Rick Edwards "Urban Decay"

September 16th- September 21st


Rick Edwards seeks out images found in neighborhoods that strongly depict society’s general lack of empathy, which has resulted in an overwhelming representation of urban decay. The distressing yet rich depictions found in the work go beyond a superficial representation; they connect on a political, economic and societal self-loathing prospective of reality. Each shot seeks
to connect on an emotional level through choice of landscape, composition
and lighting.
Edwards subject as a photographer is primarily processed in black and white. He ask viewers to consider taking responsibility for their own actions and the effect it has on humanity. With change comes progress and new opportunities but that realization in some of these forgotten communities has not become
a reality. He select imagery of what was once beautiful and full of life and
although life still remains on some level, it is now hard to appreciate its beauty.
Edwards typically show prints in medium to large formats sizes, (8” x10” to
|16” x 24”) to invite viewers to interact and come out of their comfort zones
to see the potential and lost beauty in these neighborhoods.
Edwards uses a digital VR Nikon SRL camera to capture the rich texture of black and white imagery. Edwards preferred media for printing is Epson
Premium Photo Paper Glossy or a variety of matt finishes. Although completing the majority of his education away from Chicago’s South Side neighborhood, he currently resides in a quite middle class community in the suburbs.
His parents still lives in the continuously changing community where he grow up, he prefers to come back to shoot its lost beauty.

Lori White "A Visual Meditation"


SEPTEMBER 9-SEPTMEBER 15, 2011

Gallery is pleased to present Lori White with her newest body of oil paintings, “A Visual Meditation.” This series explores the idea of one’s mind in a meditative state. The exhibition will be on view from SEPTEMBER 9-SEPTMEBER 15, 2011. The opening reception will be on SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 from 5:30-8p.m. This exhibit will be free and open to the public.

“A Visual Meditation” explores organic forms that reflect the meditative power of the nature. Her mind sees the environment as a place that mirrors a sense of peace and harmony. Miss White’s hope is that each painting inspires a person to visually meditate and become lost within his or her thoughts.

White is a graduate of Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN and is also a graduate of Governors State University with a Master in Arts in painting. She has displayed her artwork locally throughout the Chicago area. White is a teacher of art at Tyler and Bentley Elementary Schools and currently lives in Frankfort, Illinois.

Impromptu: Show Us What You Got September 1 – September 8

Artist Reception

Wednesday, September 7th

5:30-8:30 p.m


Visual Arts Gallery

2011 Art Student Exhibition

September 1- September 8



Water Pollution- an exhibition by Jaclyn Reidy



Opening Reception:
Friday August 19, 2011
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
free and open to the public

Exhibition Dates:
Friday August 19th - Wednesday August 31st
www.govst.edu/gallery
regular gallery hours:
Monday and Wednesday 1-5 p.m.
Tuesday 1-9 p.m.
Thursday and Friday 5-9 p.m.




Artist Statement

Water Pollution

The images I create evolve from littered waste and debris that I have witnessed in waterways. Being drawn to water and its pristine blue hues in lakes and oceans, I chose to focus on water pollution because it is harmful to the natural resource itself as well as marine organisms and humans that consume those affected organisms as food. Water pollution also contaminates drinking water, which is essential for humans to thrive.

From my observation of polluted waterways, I researched more in-depth information on water pollution as well as images of polluted water and marine organisms, both healthy and infected, from books and the internet. I use those images as references, and draw an original composition from memory onto the canvas. The primary medium in my art is oil paint, for the purpose of bringing out the color and image to attract a person’s eye. In my paintings, I incorporate a great deal of texture to add tactility, which in turn, adds a realistic effect to the painting.

The central theme behind my paintings is that water is essential for the proliferation of life, but it is adversely affected by water pollution, which in turn, harms marine organisms and human health. Water pollution needs to be prevented in some measures, but in many instances, it is beyond human control. It is a global environmental concern due to the fact that water is the foundation of life.

Once Upon a Time an exhibition by Heidi Stachulak

Heidi Stachulak "Once Upon a Time"
Graduate Thesis Exhibition, Governors State University
Aug 12-17
reception Friday August 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

FINDING THE LINE


JULY 15 TO JULY 30, 2011
Reception and open house
Sunday, July 17
1 - 5 p.m.
a tour of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park will be available at 2 p.m.
free and open to the public

FINDING THE LINE - Artwork by Jeff Stevenson made during and inspired by the Ragdale Residency.
As a thank you to GSU for support that made the Ragdale Residency possible, this exhibition features the 42" x 360" (3.5 foot x 30 foot) mixed media work on paper titled Finding the Line, and additional pieces made by artist Jeff Stevenson during and since the April residency.