EAG Fall Members Show Features Original Art by Local Artists

The Fall Members Show presents the contemporary artwork of 50-plus emerging local artists from the greater Chicago area. Their breadth of styles and medium encompasses dramatically different artworks including watercolor, ceramics, oil, acrylic, digital, collage, photographic and sculptural works involving landscapes, portraits, abstract and other styles.

Printmaker Ben Calvert will exhibit “Josh’s Rocks,” a softly colored woodblock relief print on paper, inspired by a hike in Joshua Tree National Park, in California. “I enjoy creating prints which reflect my life experiences,” commented Calvert. “Sometimes the subject is easily identifiable, sometimes, less so. Hearing how others interpret and relate to my work adds to my personal story.”

Personal experiences by the artists inform other works, such as “Corner Diner,” a watercolor by Bret Steinhaus, which is an exquisitely urban image of a man and his glass reflections, seated inside a diner underneath the Chicago CTA “L” tracks. The urban experience continues with Tony Abboreno’s painting “Crown Fountain at Millenium Park,” depicting the tall iconic fountain with a face spitting a stream of water on the crowd of children and adults, tourists and locals, delighting in the cooling spray and the splash on their feet.

“Fall Birch,” an acrylic painting by Kera Bjerga, is one of a series of boldly colorful birch trees painted in different seasons. “I love experiencing every season and especially the colors and weather of Fall. I love that the change of a season can instantly change my mood and affect my joy,” explained Bjerga.

Most artworks in the exhibit are available for purchase. “The EAG Gallery provides an opportunity to acquire great art by living artists at affordable prices. Purchases enrich the lives of the collectors, make our homes and offices more interesting, and support the artists as well as the Guild and the Elmhurst Art Museum,” commented Cassie Swierenga, EAG President.

The EAG gallery is not-for-profit, operated by the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild. It features contemporary artworks in a variety of styles and media. In addition to four member shows each year, the guild hosts exhibitions of individual member’s artwork and invitational shows for significant local artists. Exhibits are partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council.