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Archive Exhibitions
Alan Lerner and Aviva Alter: Warning Signs
September 9 through October 17, 2008
 For Chicago artists Alan Lerner and Aviva Alter, artmaking is a way of raising questions about the society in which they live. From questions that define human nature and experience to questions concerning doubt, responsibility and the clash between our culture and the natural world, both artists use imagery to encourage viewers to think more deeply about their own experience in the modern world. Lerner’s mixed-media prints and Alter’s fiber art will be on display at the Brickton Art Center in an exhibition titled Warning Signs from September 9 through October 17, with an opening reception to be held on Friday, September 19, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Lerner and Alter’s work examine the human experience in their own unique way. Lerner explains his process, “This body of work springs from the mind, hitting the paper as if it is a falling bridge. Like meditation, images flow, but instead of letting them flow through, I grab one or three to stow away, like acorns keeping this squirrel alive for the dear future. Later I shuffle these images and let them pour out, selecting and grouping.” The end products are bold, graphic fragments harmoniously pieced together in order to confront the viewer with textures and images of war and violence that are so prevalent in today’s media.
 Alter’s fiber art carries a message in a more understated manner. Alter’s pieces are typically created on garments worn by or fashioned after people she knows or has known. “These are people that I have strong attachments with love, hate and that which ties us together,” she explains. Each garment is hand embroidered with messages and questions that have no certain answer, such as: “What is the first thing we do not know?” Alter continues, “I often use military garments and blankets when I work, suggesting that individual battles can easily feed into universal disharmony.”
For both Lerner and Alter, the fascination with art has been nearly life-long. Lerner, who received his M.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has extensive teaching experience in ceramics at SAIC and Lill Street Art Center. Alter also attended SAIC, the San Fransico Art Institute, and was the director of the Lill Street Art Center for some time. Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s Lerner and Alter produced a fine art pottery and wholesale decorative ceramics line. Alan Lerner currently teaches at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative and the duo operates a clothing business called 4F Design.
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EMERGE
August 1 through 16, 2008
Brickton Art Center is proud to present our first exhibition of artwork created by teen and adult Brickton students with art center faculty. The Opening Reception will be August 1, 2008 from 6-8pm at
Brickton
Art
Center, with light refreshments from All On The Road Catering, free and open to the public. For more information call 847.823.6611.
 Global Alliance for Africa Children's Art ProjectAugust 1 through 16, 2008
Brickton Art Center is proud to host Global Alliance for Africa's Children's Art Project. The Opening Reception will be August 3, 2008 from 3-6pm at
Brickton
Art
Center, with light refreshments from All On The Road Catering, free and open to the public. For more information call 847.823.6611.
In 2006, Global Alliance for Africa initiated an arts program for the orphans and vulnerable children of
Kenya and
Tanzania. For the past three years, groups of artists, teachers and students have traveled to
East Africa with Global Alliance to visit arts programs and work closely with African artists to plan and conduct an art camp for children. The first year, 166 children were served at one location,
Tumaini
Vocational
Center in
Arusha,
Tanzania. The second year more than 750 children participated at two locations – one in
Western Kenya, the other at Tumaini. In 2008 we hosted 220 orphans and vulnerable children in
Tanzania.
Each year, the children work with individual artists on a variety of art and music techniques. e. There is also a group project: the first year there were two murals at Tumaini – one in acrylic on an interior wall and the other a mosaic mural on an exterior wall. The second year the group project was a quilt. Each artist and child (including some American school children) contributed a square of fabric on which they either painted, beaded or created a block print. Those squares were sewn onto a series of quilts which have been exhibited in Africa and the
U.S. In 2008, the group project will be a performance – dance and music – and each artist and child contributed to that performance in the form of the hand made celebration sticks or masks.
One of the most important components of the art program is its collaborative nature. During the art camp, African artists work closely with American artists to teach children. For the 2008 program, at the request of the African artists, the group spent intensive time together prior to teaching the children at the art camp.
GAA’s objective is to create a permanent art therapy program for the orphans and vulnerable children of Arusha and to eventually expand the program into all of the areas where GAA is working GAA hopes to provide a forum in which these children can express their sorrows and joys and tell their stories in a safe, nurturing and creative manner.
Residents of the
Park Ridge community are also collaborating with GAA to bring libraries to various communities in
East Africa.
For more information go to globalallianceafrica.org |
 Quiet Places: Photographs by Jeff Burk
Burk’s work titled, Quiet Places, on exhibit at
Brickton
Art
Center from June 6 to July 18, 2008, brings us down roads less traveled to gaze through the unique eye of this photographer. He describes photography as a form of meditation revealing unexpected scenes in overlooked places residing in plain view. Abandoned items most travelers pass without a second look become unusual icons of the ordinary.
Join the artist for an Opening Reception June 6, 2008 from 7-9pm at
Brickton
Art
Center, with light refreshments from All On The Road Catering, free and open to the public. For more information call 847.823.6611. For more information click here.
 Creative Connections Celebrating Artists in our Community
April 3-
25, 2008
Opening Reception: Friday, April 11th
5:30pm-7:00pm (open & free to public)
“Art is the one thing that speaks to everyone. Art transcends time and ties us all together as the human race.”
--David Dory
With two professional art therapists on staff,
Brickton
Art
Center has taken an active approach to creating change in the lives of people who have been identified by staff from various social service agencies to be most in need of art therapy services. The purpose of Brickton’s Art Outreach program is to develop and provide art therapy-based programming for underserved or at-risk populations served by other agencies in the community in order to enhance the quality of life for the recipients. Currently, we have working relationships with agencies that serve children and teens with autism (Have Dreams), geriatric adults (
St.
Matthew
Center for Health), children and teens with emotional problems (Camelot Schools) and children from economically disadvantaged families (Mainestay Youth & Family Services).
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 Kunterbunt Series, paintings by Hermke Timm
Born in
Berlin,
Germany, Timm completed his apprenticeship in engraving in 1958. After earning his degree in Master of Art and Engraving in 1964 he moved to
Chicago,
Illinois and continued his education at the Art Institute of Chicago. While running a successful engraving business Timm continues to develop his personal artwork. "My artwork varies in style and media: presently I am working on imaginary images and portraits of friends in egg tempera or watercolor," Timm explains.
Inspired by Viennese Architect/Artist Frederick Hundertwasser, Timm has created a series of colorful and diverse imagery transporting the ordinary into playful eclectic scenes defined by the German word kunterbunt.
kunterbunt 1. adj. motley, multi-colored, many-colored, varied, checkered 2. adv. chaotically
Timm has won numerous awards in
Germany and the
United States. He currently lives in
Park Ridge,
Illinois and
Whitefish Bay,
Wisconsin.
3rd Annual Benefit Art Exhibition + Auction at Brickton Art Center
November 23 - December 7, 2007
Featuring works donated by professional artists for a silent auction and art exhibition. Bidding begins Friday, November 23rd, 2007 at 7pm and ends Friday, December 7th, 2007 at 9pm.
Join us for the Opening Night Reception, Friday, November 23rd, 7-9pm, in conjunction with the Park Ridge city wide Winter Festival. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and music. Don t miss our Closing Night Gala, Friday, December 7th, 7-9pm; enjoy an evening of champagne and hors d oeuvres while you enter the final winning bid on your favorite work of art! This will be our last event at the 147 Vine Street location. After December 16th Brickton will relocate to 306 Busse Hwy, Park Ridge, Illinois. These events are free and open to the public!
Artists include; Andrea Bateman, Jeff Burk, Ken Burkhart, Susan Chandler, Jeff Curto, Joeff Davis, Tom Dieschbourg, Beverly Ellstrand, Peter Goldman, Magdalene Gorecki, Beth Gruver, KristinHaas, Denis Hagen, Glenn Hansen, Jerry Hug, Jack Holme, Jennifer Jackson, Dave Jordano, Stephanie Kawka, Hans Klemmer, Jordan Kost, Alyssa Kulak, Alan Lerner, Carolyn Lewis, Miles Lowery, Kevin Lyons, Darick Maasen, Laura Matzen, Don McKenna, Bobbi Meier, Cathy Moon, Mary Lee Moore, Vijay Paniker, Sophia Pichinos, Russell Phillips, David Plowden, Robert Putnam, Darrell Roberts, Nancy Rosen, Melissa Rocchi, Carla Rundblad, Don Seiden, Eden Stern, Stanley Szwarc, Michael Taylor, Hermke Timm, Terry Vitacco, Suzann Wilson, Karen Wise & more!
Dave Jordano Storefront Sanctuaries
October 12- November 16, 2007
Documentary photographers attempt to produce truthful, objective, and usually candid photographs of a particular subject. In this style of photography, the camera acts as a tool that allows images to speak for themselves. The photographs in Dave Jordano s series, Storefront Sanctuaries, tell the captivating story of African-American storefront churches in the south and west side neighborhoods of
Chicago. Jordano states, African-American storefront churches are by their very nature a more private way of practicing one s faith. In contrast to larger congregations, these churches are more like closely knit family circles.
Since 2003 Jordano has been documenting these interior spaces that have come to symbolize comfort, hope and connectedness for members who have to bear the burden of living in a harsh inner-city environment crippled with prostitution, crime, drugs, gangs and broken families. He travels the city on weekends, getting to know parishioners and pastors, slowly building the kind of relationships that make, the pictures in his nuanced and intimate. High-resolution digital capture renders in meticulous detail the hand-lettered donated furniture, and religious icons that give each church its character, (www.mocp.org). Creating cornerstone for spiritual, moral and intellectual strength, the simple and basic layout of these sites belies the importance of their existence. Infused within these spaces are deep undercurrents of tradition, history, memory and the love of self that trace back to when the only form of open expression for blacks nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was through the practice of their faith.
It is my hope that, these photographs of small churches depict more than the details that make the design of these places of worship, but that they illuminate one of our connective links to the past and present African-American experience, Jordano explains. To me, these are simple places of worship, but rich but rich with messages of self-affirmation and promises of a better tomorrow.
Join Dave Jordano for an opening night reception on Friday, October 12th, 2007 from 7-9pm. Storefront Sanctuaries will be on exhibit at
Brickton
Art
Center from October 12 - November 16, 2007.
Robert Putnam and Darell Roberts
The texture of change, September, 2007
Fall is a time for change; the trees and landscape provide vibrant and rich colors that transform before our eyes. It is during this time that we cannot help but notice the brilliant textures, shapes, and patterns that nature provides. For two Chicagoland artists, Robert Putnam and Darrell Roberts, this heightened sense of textural awareness is a daily ritual. Both artists, featured in our September invitational, The Texture of Change, utilize landscape and structural observation as main components of their artistic processes.
Darrell Roberts explains, The ever-changing landscape and structures of the metropolis inspire my work. Over the years, I have documented Chicago--the lake, the gardens, the skyline, its people and construction sites. All these elements and textures influence my work. Roberts grew up on a small rural farm in Iowa where he honed his observational skills on long walks. He now juxtaposes that experience with the sensory overload of city living. The pace of people, traffic and hectic life make it easier for me to notice the subtle changes of textures, colors, forms and light these changes quickly catch my eye and give me a moment to rest. Roberts' practice involves applying paint, scrapping it away, layering, and accumulation which result in canvases that are opaque and full of color, texture and visual stimulation.
Robert Putnam also uses observation and layering during the creation of his paintings. I work with areas or fields of color using layers of paint to build up a surface and texture. Putnam draws on the mundane aspects of everyday such as spilled gravel or patterns created by broken sidewalks, transforming them into color and form. He believes the artist s job is to create pure forms that resonate awareness within the human spirit. He uses his imagination as well as nature to achieve this goal. The mystery of the world is seen in nature and may also be discovered by making feelings and emotions visible. These visual markings open a window to our spiritual foundation. Through color-form-texture relationships I try to create a stillness and silence that points to the mystery.
Join Robert Putnam and Darrell Roberts for an opening night reception on Friday, September 7th, 2007 from 7-9pm. The Texture of Change will be on exhibit at Brickton Art Center from September 7- October 5, 2007.
STEEL + STONE, Jim Johnson & Stanley Szwarc, July 13 - August 10, 2007
Steel: a strong man-made alloy. Stone: a hard natural substance. Both used as building material, each imply something tough, cold, still and lifeless, but at Brickton Art Center this July, these two mediums unite in an exhibition of exquisite warmth and verve. Sculptor Jim Johnson and metalworker Stanley Szwarc display their unique artwork at Brickton from July 13 through August 10.
Raised in Door County, Wisconsin, Jim Johnson came to Chicago in 1957 to work as a photographer in commercial advertising. After operating his own photo studio for 35 years Johnson left the commercial world in 1996 to concentrate on his sculpture. In the past Johnson has worked with wood but for the last 10 years his concentration has been carving in limestone. He develops individual sculptures from rough sketches adapted to each piece of stone. Each sculpture is unique because every block of stone dictates its own size and shape. I have rendered frogs, birds, cats and other creaturely works Pure stylization of spirit and simplicity of form are my goals . Johnson s current works have been described as whimsical, free form stylized sculptures.
Stanley Szwarc s brilliance comes across in every object he makes, their facets reflecting the complexity of his artistic vision as much as they do the light. , explains art collector and author William Swislow. Immigrating to the United States from Poland in 1977, Szwarc left behind his life as a musician and bookkeeper, gaining employment as a welder in a metal shop in 1980. When a former boss advised Szwarc to always look busy during slow production times, he began to collect metal scraps forming them into beautiful designs. Over the past twelve or more years that Szwarc has been constructing thousands of boxes, vases, crosses and key fobs he has gained well deserved recognition. No two pieces of Szwarc s are the same. It doesn t take me long to make the design, he says. Sometimes I don t even know where I get the idea, [but] I ve got to admit my ideas have never betrayed me. (Stanley s visions in stainless, The Outsider Pages, William Swislow, 2000). Szwarc s work can be found on eBay and with increasing media coverage his works are quickly becoming collectables.
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Jane Carlton: Approaching Abstraction, June 8 - July 6, 2007
The boundary between representational and abstract art is the focus of artist Jane Carlton. The effects of color and the meaning of beauty drive her journey from a scientific source to completely abstract imagery. Each painting that I create is an experiment in how to move from representational art to abstraction . Approaching Abstraction depicts the chronology of Carlton s paintings, which originate from photographs of flowers, and highlights crucial turning points while exploring the energy and complexity at the heart of a flower.
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Creative Connection: Celebrating Artists in our Community, April 3-26, 2007
Art is the one thing that speaks to everyone. Art transcends time and ties us all together as the human race.
David Dory
Part of Brickton Art Center's commitment to the arts in the community is realized through our Art Outreach programs provided to other community groups by our staff art therapists. The purpose of the Creative Connections exhibit is to highlight these various partnerships and to celebrate the unique creativity and talents of the participating artists.
Featuring artists from Avenues to Independence, Have Dreams, Lutheran General Hospital's Pediatric Unit, Mainestay Youth & Family Services, and St. Matthew Center for Health.
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Time Interpreted a Group Exhibition, February 19- March 21, 2007
Featuring: Britnee Fierro, Magdalene Gorecki, Gerald Hug, Jennifer Jackson, Mary Jo Kent, Michael Mastroleonardo, Laura Matzen, Bobbi Meier, Mary Lee Moore, Sophia Pichinos, and Greg Regalado.
Temnein: The Greek word for time; meaning to cut. Derived from an understanding that time embodies a past, present, and future; it is, in fact, a flow of duration.Time Interpretedinvestigates an otherwise abstract concept of time. As artists, we construct our own personal experiences of time. Our distinct views provide no definitions, but allows the viewer to orchestrate his/her own interpretation of time.
This exhibition runs February 19 through March 21, 2007. Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments courtesy of All on The Road Catering Friday, March 2nd from 7-9pm. All opening receptions and exhibitions are free and open to the public. Call 847.823.6611 for directions.
Jump-start Art Exhibition on dispaly February 5th through 9th, 2007
In honor of Donors and Supporters of Jump-start Art, we invite you to a special event at
Brickton
Art
Center, Friday, February 9, 2007, 7-9pm.
Donated artwork will be gifted to recipients from community services in the north and northwest suburban area. Food courtesy of All on The Road Catering, fun and music will follow with entertainment provided by John Petitt and This Is This.
Artists include: Jennifer Rapp, Elaine Kruger, Debra Johnson, Ken Burkhart, Russell Phillips, Jan Binder, Jan Benkoske, Beverly Feldmann, Melody Saraniti, Jennifer Wells, Sarah Krepp, Laurie Judson, Cindy Reising, Fritz Michaelis, Liz Schrenk, Jennifer Aguilar, Anne Kauff, Keith Peterson, Veronica Bruce, Sandy Blanc,
Rich Lane,
Gary Drake, Joan Ackerman-Zimney, Margot Gottfried, Sarah Young and more.
Jump-start Art is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to facilitating artists' gifting of original artwork to selected recipients. Working with private and public agencies, JumpStart Art targets recipients who might not otherwise have the means or the inclination to own original art. JumpStart Art believes in the power of art to make a difference in people's lives that owning an original work of art can lead to a positive shift in perception and reality.
For more information on This is This, visit www.thisisthis.net. For more information on Jump-start Art, visit www.jumpstartart.org
Incidental Artifact: Ceramics by Vijay V. Paniker
Brickton Art Center is proud to exhibit the work of our adult and teen ceramics instructor, Vijay Paniker.In the almost five years Vijay has been with Brickton he has ignited many people s artistic creativity and ha created quite a following of students. Vijay has also contributed greatly to Brickton s successes over the years b volunteering his time and talents in a variety of ways; he is an invaluable member of the Brickton family. Vija recently finished a degree at Northeastern Illinois University in Art and Anthropology. He has interned for th Mammalian Department of Zoology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, and worked as a instructor of ceramics at Oakton Community College's Alliance for Lifelong Learning. Incidental Artifacts wil be on exhibit with a exhibition of paintings by Kristin Haas, from December 16 through January 6. Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments courtesy of All on The Road Catering at the opening night reception on Saturday December 16th, 7-9pm. More...
Brickton Art Center presents the 2nd Annual Benefit Art Exhibition and Auction
On November 24th, 7-9pm, Brickton Art Center held the opening reception for its 2nd Annual Benefit Art Exhibition and Auction featuring works donated by professional artists for a silent auction. This event offers a great opportunity to purchase original works of art at auction prices. Participating artists, include, among others: Jack Holme, David Plowden, Don Seiden and many other artists who have been affiliated with Brickton or with patrons of Brickton.
Join us for the Opening Night Reception, Friday, November 24th, 7-9pm, in conjunction with the Park Ridge city wide Winter Fest. Meet the artists, enjoy a free family art activity, refreshments, and music.This year we have added a Closing Night Gala, Friday, December 8th, 7-9pm. Enjoy an evening of champagne and hors d oeuvres while you enter the final winning bid on your favorite work of art!
The exhibition is open for viewing and bidding November 25th through December 8th, Monday Thursday, 10am 6pm, Friday Saturday, 10am 4pm. Brickton Art Center is located at 147 Vine Street, Park Ridge, Illinois, 60068. For more information call 847.823.6611.
David Plowden: A Handful of Dust: Photographs of Disappearing America
Opening Reception & Book Signing, Saturday, October 14th, 7-9pm. Light refreshments, courtesy of All on the Road Catering. Free and open to the public. Books can be purchased at Burke's Books of Park Ridge before October 14th and at Brickton Art Center during opening night reception, courtesy of Burke's Books.
Plowden graduated from Yale Collage in 1955 and later studied with noted photographer Minor White. In 1968, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to complete a book on the bridges of North America. His work resides in the pernament collections of, among other places, the Art Institute of Chicago, the library of Congress and the Smithsoinian Institution. This show is a selection of original images from Plowden's latest book, A Handful of Dust: Photographs of disappearing America. Plowden's work will be on exhibition through November 18, 2006. More...
Bobbi Meier: Wallflowers, September 8th to October 6th, 2006
"My life is not simple and my artwork reflects that," says painter and Maine Township art teacher Bobbi Meier. "My intention is to intrigue the viewer to enter this world and discover a surprise or two along the way." Brickton Art Center showcased Meier's unique and brilliant collection of paintings in an exhibition: Wallflowers. The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 8th from 7pm to 9 pm.
Meier's paintings are inspired by 19th century wallpaper patterns, kitsch objects, patterns in nature, historical cultural patterns, children s toys, and exotic plant forms. She utilizes acrylic paints and works from direct observation. Her artwork may involve painting onto a beautiful chintz drapery, bedspread or even larger surfaces. Meier states, "My work has become increasingly elaborate These shapes, once constrained to the picture plane, have spilled off the canvas and onto the wall." She will explore this recent means of creating work by painting some pieces directly on Brickton s gallery walls. Meier also plans to incorporate traditionally mounted paintings and prints as an installation with the wall painting. "Literally, the work has become a garden of flower forms that are on the wall. Figuratively, the metaphorical implications of the forgotten, shy and retiring are questioned as these shapes are in your face and at times buried behind other shapes and forms." More...
Jack Holme: Four Decades, July 14th to August 11th, 2006
A retrospect of work by sculptor Jack Holme was on exhibition at Brickton Art Center July 14th through August 11th. Jack Holme has been artistic and creative as far back as he can remember. "While trained as an engineer, the seeds for sculpture were planted in Chicago where I graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology's, Insitute of Design". Inspired by Henry Moore's sculpture in 1967, Holme began sculpting small abstract bronze pieces. Over the years Holme has expanded and experimented with a large variety of materials and styles. Join the artist, Friday July 14, 2006, at Brickton Art Cenetr for an opening night reception from 7-9pm.
A special workshop for children with the artist was held at Brickton on Saturday July 22 from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Participants 8 yrs and up were welcome to drop by and create a sculpture or two! This workshop is free and open to the public, reservations required. Call Brickton for reservations and more information, 847.823.6611. Also, visit the wbez website archives for 848 and Hello Beautiful for an interview with Jack Holme, about this show, by Jennifer Lawton. More..
Don McKenna: In Missouri, June 9th to July 7th, 2006
Describing his photographs as "traditional, straightforward, personal documentary" work, Don McKenna's observations reveal an intellect and wit through which he filters his urban landscapes. Join the artist, Friday June 9, 2006, at Brickton Art Center for an opening night reception from 7-9pm. More...
Youth Artists' Month May 1st to 31st, 2006
A group exhibition featuring the departmentally recognized visual art students of District 207's high schools, Maine East and South. Maine South students will be featured May 2-13, with an opening night reception on May 5th from 6-8pm. Maine East students will be featured May 16-27, with an opening night reception on May 17th from 6-8pm. Both receptions are free and open to the public at Brickton Art Center.
Sunday, April 21st to April 30th
The children of Have Dreams have been painting, cutting, gluing, and sculpting in preparation for their debut art exhibit to be held at the Brickton Art Center beginning with an opening reception Sunday, April 23rd from 1-3 PM. The exhibit, Art to HAVE*: A Celebration of the Creativity and Imagination of Children and Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder, will remain on the gallery walls until April 30th. More... |  | March 3rd to April 14, 2006
Brickton Art Center presents INK, a group show featuring the art of printmaking. This show covers all aspects of the printmaking medium from lithography, etchings, wood cuts, to transfer printing. It includes mono prints to the multiple image production of serigraphs. Explanations from each artist about the process they use and what motivates their choice of technique are included in the show. The nine artists from the Chicago area featured in this comprehensive presentation of printmaking create both a visually and intellectually dynamic exhibition. Click here for information on each artists. | | | |
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