The Dempsey Family Gallery located on the first floor features a group show exploring earth, water, air, and fire from the lens of the Ancient Greeks by Susan Aurinko, Georgia Schwender, Laura Husar Garcia, Candace Wark and Shirley Nannini. The Chicago Capital Gallery located on the second floor features a photographic display of the Old Joliet Prison by Barbara Eberhard.

The Ancient Greeks used four classical elements to explain all matter. These elements were the foundation of philosophy, science and medicine for over 2000 years. The four elements essential to life were earth, representing things that were solid, water, things that were liquid, air, things that moved in a gaseous state and fire, things that destroyed. The Greeks believed the elements were unchanging.

The timeless elements are seen here through a 21st century lens by the work of Susan Aurinko’s haunting capture of earth, Georgia Schwender’s compelling depiction of fire, Laura Husar Garcia’s meditative images of water along with Candace Wark and Shirley Nannini’s ethereal confirmation of air.

Behind the Prison Walls is a photographic exhibit by Barbara Eberhard of the Old Joliet Prison.  During May it was on exhibit on the third floor of the Gaylord Building in Lockport, Illinois. Currently it is available for other galleries. Twenty-five images printed on metal, along with placards of information and installation pieces of barbed wire, give the viewer a look into the life of this prison that was built in 1858 and closed in 2002.  Included in the exhibit are images of the inside destruction of the administration building, an underground tunnel, dining hall, chapel and hospital to name a few.

Barbara Eberhard taught photography at the University of St. Francis, Joliet, for over twenty-five years.  She is currently a member of Gallery Seven, Chicago Society of Artists, founder of artitude, a travelling art exhibit of seven artists and founder and producer of (art) INSPIRED! live lit, a storytelling venue with art.

Opening reception will be held Friday, February 14, 2020 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Meet the exhibiting artists and our Resident Artist community during this monthly event. In addition, a cash bar will be available featuring beer from Solemn Oath Brewery and wine selections from The Wine Exchange in St. Charles.

This event is free and open to all ages. 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 our event sponsors: Chicago Capital LLC, Batavia Enterprises Inc., First National Bank, and K.Hollis Jewelers.

Both gallery exhibits will continue to be on display until Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 5pm. The exhibits in both galleries can be visited during regular public gallery hours: Thursday-Sunday from 12:00-5:00 pm at 160 S. Water Street in Batavia, Illinois.

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