The Giertz Gallery at Parkland College will host a closing reception for the "Illinois All-State Art Exhibition" on Thursday, July 23.
The reception will be held from 5:30–7 p.m. in the gallery lounge, featuring a gallery talk by this year’s juror Misa Jeffereis at 6:15 p.m. She currently serves as associate curator at the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis.
"The Illinois All-State Juried Art Exhibition represents the breadth and vitality of artistic practices across the state of Illinois," Jeffereis said. "The artists participating together form a resounding chorus of perspectives, reflecting the pivotal moment in which we exist. With Illinois as the ever-inspiring backdrop for creative expression, the artists in this exhibition explore themes around identity, the home, and the landscape, as well as the uncertainty of this moment and environmental concerns—through material innovation and courage."
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In collaboration with 40 North: Champaign County Arts Council, the "Illinois All-State Art Exhibition" is a juried showcase of contemporary Illinois artists age 18 and older. Each artist submitted original work completed after January 2023 and not previously shown at the Giertz Gallery.
Participating artists include Michael Aldag, Sarah Anderson, Rajee Aryal, Chris Beaty, Gary Beaumont, April Behnke, Francesca Bertani, Jess Beyler, Jerry Bleem, Teron (TeJay) Bowman, Jenny Chernansky, Mafe Cruz, Diane DeLeonardo, Sherri Denault, Sarah Eckstine, Jeff Evans, Viktoria Ford, Stacey Gross, Ellie Henderson, Samuel Herndon, Christopher Hiltz, Yvette Kaiser Smith, Eunjoo Kang, Annika Keckhaver, Carolyn Knox, Maria Kunigk, Donald K. Lake, Charissa R. Lansing, Ruth Lantz, Amy Lozar, Maria Macko, Paula McCarty, Adrienne Elyse Meyers, John Odum, Nathan Olsen, Taylor Dennis Pasquale, Rosalyn Schwartz, Carol Spindel, Brian Sullan, Dan Swanson, Grant Thomas, Michael Thomas, Natalie Troyer, and Mel Watkin.
The gallery’s summer hours are Monday–Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the summer.
To find the gallery, use the M6 parking lot on the north corner of the campus. Enter through door X7, turn left, and follow the ramps uphill to the highest point of the first floor, where the gallery is located. The gallery windows overlook the outdoor fountain area. All events in the accessible gallery are free and open to the public.
Parkland College is a Section 504/ADA-compliant institution. For accommodation, call 217/353-2337 or email accessibility@parkland.edu. Programs at the gallery are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
For more information, email lcostello@parkland.edu.
