CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The most brilliant display of fall color to be found this season may be indoors – at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Krannert Art Museum.
On view at the museum Nov. 16 through Jan. 5 is the always-colorful annual Faculty Art Exhibition and “Summoning the Sacred: The Art of Lorena Johnson, 1993-2000.”
An opening reception for both exhibitions is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 16.
The faculty show, one of the oldest, continuous-running shows of its kind in the nation, features recent works by faculty in the university’s School of Art and Design. The exhibition includes painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, metals, glass, installation work, design, and video and digital media.
Coinciding with the exhibition will be three gallery talks by Illinois faculty members, beginning at noon in the museum’s Light Court Gallery on the following dates:
o Nov. 20, Rosalyn Schwartz, painting program;
o Dec. 4, Judi Ross, foundation program;
o Dec. 11, Billie Jean Theide, metal program.
“Summoning the Sacred” features pastels by Johnson, a self-taught artist whose work has been characterized as spiritual explorations of personal identity. The colorful, iconic works on paper express an inner strength and beauty that is at once individual and universal.
Two events are planned in conjunction with the exhibition:
Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m., gallery talk by Johnson in the museum’s Contemporary Gallery.
Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-noon, workshop, museum auditorium. Johnson will conduct the workshop, “Art as Window and Mirror: Art-Centered Diversity Education in Teaching and Learning.” Participants will explore art as a tool and strategy for diversity education, and will examine the capacity of the visual arts to develop students’ intercultural competency. Registration is required; to register, call (217) 333-1861.
The Krannert Art Museum is located on the UI campus at 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, one block east of Memorial Stadium. The museum is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; until 8 p.m. on Wednesday; and from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. A donation of $3 is suggested.
