The Addison Center for the Arts is pleased to announce our fourth collaboration between visual artists and the Illinois State Poetry Society. Participating poets will read poems inspired by the work of local artists. The public is invited to attend the free art reception and poetry program on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 1 to 4 pm. The art and poems will remain on display from February 23 through March 23 at the Addison Center for the Arts gallery.

Julie Mars, the organizer of Expressions: Art and Verse 2024 explains, “This exhibition is intended to celebrate the mingling of art forms. It will showcase how visual art can inspire poetry. In this art and poetry show, the poets have interpreted their inner experience of the artwork for us in their poems.”

Illinois artists exhibiting in “Expressions: Art and Verse 2024” are:

Arlene Ashack, Benjamin Calvert III, Susan Cargill, Andrea Fox, Jeanne Garrett, Paul Gratzke, Jennifer Hauser, Cheryl Holz, Kendra Kett, Lennart Lundh, Joan Ladendorf, Julie Mars, Sarah McNabb, Hanh Nguyen, Peggy Mulcahy, Sheryl Nieman, Carol Severson, Jessica Smit Mattingly, Alice Sulinski, Nancy Staszak, Karen Sugay, Debra Vaccaro, and Ana Vitek.

The Illinois State Poetry Society’s featured members are:

Marie Asner, Jo Balistreri, Bakul Bannerjee, CR Bolinski, Mary Beth Bretzlauf, Paul Buchheit, Hanh Chau, Thomas Chockley, Kathy Cotton, Gail Denham, Michael Escoubas, Kathryn Haydon, Teresa Harris, M. E. Hope, Julie Isaacson, Christopher Kuhl, Rafael Lantigua, Lennart Lundh, Karian Markos, Wilda Morris, Susan T. Moss, René Parks, Jill Spealman, Donita Ries, James Wilkerson, and Rita Yager.

Susan Moss, ISPS President about Expressions: Art and Verse:

“In the early 1970s, ISPS began as a single chapter and became a charter member of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies in 1991. Presently, there are seven chapters throughout the state, and all are committed to creating and promoting poetry in all its forms. ISPS appreciates the opportunity to blend art and poetry that results in a collaboration of these artistic forms in order to present a greater expressive whole.” - Susan T. Moss, President of the Illinois State Poetry Society.

Addison Center for the Arts

213 N. Lombard Rd.

Addison, IL 60101

630-458-4500

Gallery Hours: WED - SAT, 1 to 4 PM.