National Artists to Showcase "Great Outdoors" at Giertz Gallery
The gallery will feature five distinguished national artists
The Giertz Gallery at Parkland College will present "The Great Outdoors: A Group Exhibition," beginning Monday, October 6.
The exhibition will feature an array of ceramics, printmaking, mixed media, watercolors, and oil paintings by five distinguished national artists who examine the relationship between humans and the natural world. Their work displays an emphasis on the outdoor environment as a space for enjoyment, recreation, and study, in contrast to more developed areas.
The artists capture the essence of wilderness and sites at the periphery of human development, highlighting places where individuals engage with nature like parks, campgrounds, and rural landscapes. Their works depict various outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, travel, and even leisure in one’s own backyard. Through these representations, the artists invite viewers to consider the cultural history of these landscapes, promoting a deeper understanding of our interactions with the environment.
Artists in this upcoming exhibition include Hannah Buchanan from Rockville, Ind; Pattie Chalmers from Carbondale, Ill.; Travis Head from Blacksburg, Va., Beth Shadur from Highland Park, Ill., and Amanda Smith from Bloomington, Ind.
Smith, a senior lecturer in painting at Indiana University, will host a lecture on her work on Thursday, October 9 at 1:15 p.m. in the William Staerkel Planetarium. Smith earned an MFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and creates work investigating human interpretations and experiences within landscapes.
She has exhibited and lectured extensively, both nationally and internationally, at notable venues. These include the SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York, the Rochester Art Center in Minnesota, the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center in Kansas City, Box 13 Art Space in Houston, the International Quilt Museum in Nebraska, and Biblioteca Viva Egana in Santiago, Chile.
A reception will be held at the gallery later that day from 5:30–7 p.m. with a gallery talk by Smith at 6:15 p.m.
The Giertz Gallery serves as a platform for the exhibition of contemporary art, functioning as an educational resource that promotes critical thought and dialogue through the visual arts, while also acting as a cultural center for the community. Its serene campus location encourages meaningful engagement between the artwork and its viewers, facilitating a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts.
Furthermore, Parkland’s diverse programming, including workshops and lectures, allows participants to experience the artwork firsthand and engage with artists about their creative processes, career paths, and artistic journeys.
The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. This exhibition will last until Saturday, November 8.
To find the gallery, use the M6 parking lot on the north corner of the Parkland College campus. Enter through door X-7, turn left, and follow the ramps uphill to the highest point of the first floor to find the gallery. The gallery windows overlook the outdoor fountain area.
The Giertz Gallery acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. All events in the accessible gallery are free and open to the public. Parkland College is a Section 504/ADA-compliant institution. For accommodations, please call 217/353-2338 or email accessibilityservices@parkland.edu.
Learn more about the exhibition at parkland.edu/greatoutdoors.
[Image: Amanda Smith, Unless we close our eyes, we can’t see where we used to be anywhere (detail), oil on canvas, 64 x 48 inches, 2024]