Ted Stanuga is a gestural abstract painter from Chicago, Illinois. According to Stanuga, the work is his upcoming exhibition is about “place”. He says, “They are about events and also about the people that shaped my life and art. The process by which I find and lose and then find again these objects, are conversations that mirror the process of living itself. When the viewer shares something of these subjects, the cultural relevance I am constantly in search of, occurs.” Water Street Studios invites you to get lost or found in Stanuga’s interpretation of “place” in his upcoming exhibition in the Dempsey Family Gallery.

John E. Bannon is a multi-media visual artist and educator whose work is seen in public and private collections worldwide. He is an adjunct assistant professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and resides in Chicago, Illinois. Water Street Studios invites you to witness Bannon’s sculptural pieces in his upcoming exhibition at Water Street Studios in the Dempsey Family Gallery. He shares, “I work to create an experience that will open the viewer’s mind to inspiration and new ways of thinking.” We invite you to experience his work in the Dempsey Family Gallery this October at Water Street Studios.

Michelle Rial uses nature to inspire her highly textural, multi-layered glass fusing. Rial shares, “Artistic creations in many forms have has always been in my life, whether in a structured class environment or on my own time. From pencil drawings, painting, textiles, and mixed medium there always seemed to be a path to dimension.” Rial studied Visual Communications at Northern Illinois University, designed trade show exhibits in Chicago, and now Water Street Studios is pleased to welcome Rial to exhibit in the Chicago Capital Gallery in October 2019.

Opening reception for “A Lifetime in the Making” and “Water*Glass” will be held on Friday, October 11, 2019 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.

The artists will be present at the reception to discuss their work and answer questions. In addition, appetizers will be provided by Gaetano\\\'s Batavia, 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, November 2, 2019 at 5pm. 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 501(c)3 for-purpose art center located in downtown 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 community with classes, artist studios, gallery exhibitions, free programs for under-resourced families and schools, events in our historic venue, and more. Learn more at 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, age, or disability.