Together, Steve Sherrell, a painter, and digital artist and his son, Colin Sherrell, a sculptor, bring audiences 65 years of making and exhibiting artwork. "Dot to Dot" explores form and questions the idea of formal art through analogy and metaphor. See the exhibition in the Dempsey Family Gallery located on the first floor of Water Street Studios starting July 12, 2019.

Steve Sherrell is a career painter with early influences from his father who was a painter and window dresser for a large department store. As a boy, he was exposed to Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, Pop Art, and American Realism. His training at the School of the Art Institute was with Ray Yoshida and Whitney Halstead, who introduced him to studio practices that he has utilized since he graduated. He is Professor Emeritus of Art at Joliet Junior College.

Steve Sherrell says, “I’ve done all the stuff, the shows, the travel, the galleries, the museums. I have worked as an artist for 50 years. I worked at an art museum. I’ve started galleries, been with galleries, been in magazines and newspapers. I taught college art for 30 years. I have done interesting things and know many, many interesting, amazing people. But the truth is, I prefer to be in my studio, doing what I do. That is where I am myself and feel at home.  Art has given me a reason to wake up every morning and begin the day smiling.”

Colin Sherrell is a third-generation artist with a father and a grandfather who painted during his time. Colin Sherrell obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New World School of the Arts. Graduating in 2011 from New World, Sherrell immediately pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Miami. Now Contemporary Art gallery represented Colin at the time. After 8 years of showing and four solo exhibitions in Miami, FL, Sherrell moved back to Illinois to continue his art career in his homeland.

He shares, “Growing up surrounded with art, my work tends to deal with referencing art and existing sculptural tendencies including Conceptualism, Fluxus, Dada, Minimalism, Arte Povera, and endless amounts of theory. I approach these tendencies with reference to a wide variety of traditional fabrication processes and materials.” Colin works in woodworking, fiberglass, glass, ceramics, stone masonry, and metal fabrication, and more.

Celebrate 100 years with the Aurora Art League featuring their exhibition titled “Aurora Art League - Celebrating 100 Years of Art in the Fox Valley" in the Chicago Capital Gallery located on the second floor of Water Street Studios.

You are invited to celebrate a long and colorful history with the Aurora Art League featuring a wide variety of media, including oil, oil with cold wax, acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil, and photography.

The Aurora Art League functions in the City of Aurora, Illinois, and its immediate vicinity.  The Aurora Art League works to encourage and provide opportunities for those interested in all forms of creative visual art; promote high artistic standards; and stimulate interest and understanding in art.

Since its inception, the Aurora Art League has continued its mission to stimulate interest and encourage opportunities in the visual arts. A weekly open art studio is held, so members can work on their current art projects together; sharing knowledge and support in a casual environment. Members are encouraged to show their work in one of the several locations where the league furnishes exhibits. Additionally, a scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving high school graduate to assist in furthering the study of art on a collegiate level.

An opening reception for both exhibitions will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019, from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

The artists will be present at the reception to discuss their work and answer questions. Also, appetizers will be provided by Gaetano's Batavia, a cash bar featuring beer from Solemn Oath Brewery, and wine will be available for purchase. This event is free and open to the public.

We encourage all visitors to make a $5 donation at the door to support arts programming at Water Street Studios. A special thank you to event sponsor, K.Hollis Jewelers and Batavia Enterprises Inc. Don’t forget to share your photos with us during the event by using #2ndFridaysBatavia

We are partnering with the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet during our 2nd Friday Gallery Opening Receptions. We are happy to accept donations on their behalf. Please consider bringing an item from their current needs list that can be found at www.bataviafoodpantry.org. Thank you.

Both gallery exhibits will continue to be on display until Saturday, August 3, 2019, at 5 pm. The exhibits in both galleries can be visited during regular public hours: Thursday-Sunday from 12:00-5:00 p.m. at 160 S. Water Street in Batavia, IL 60510.

About Water Street Studios
Water Street Studios is a nonprofit art center located in Batavia, Illinois. Our mission is to help make the arts more accessible to the Fox Valley region and beyond. Our vision is to be a cultural hub in the Midwest. We provide our ever-growing community with art classes, artist studios, community events, gallery exhibitions, free after-school art programs, outreach, private events in a historic venue, and more. Learn more by visiting www.waterstreetstudios.org.

Water Street Studios is committed to maintaining a welcoming and safe environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion or disability.