New Koehnline Exhibition Opens February 2

Welcome to the first edition of Open to the Public at Oakton, a blog that focuses on the happenings and events at Oakton Community College. This installment focuses on the art exhibition Two Plus Two = Jackson, Owens, Williams, and Wheatley that runs Feb. 2 through March 23, at Oakton’s Koehnline Museum of Art. You’ll definitely want to come check it out!

“I’ve mounted so many exhibitions, but this one is really special,” says Nathan Harpaz, manager of the Koehnline Museum of Art.

“Two Plus Two = Jackson, Owens, Williams, and Wheatley was inspired by Gregory James, Ph.D., who served as Oakton’s assistant vice president for Student Affairs/Office of Access, Equity, and Diversity before he passed away late in 2011,” says Harpaz. “I am deeply indebted to him for his insight and encouragement. It’s tragic that Gregory won’t be here to celebrate this diverse exhibition – but he’ll definitely be there in spirit.”

In this exhibition, four prominent Chicago artists – Preston Jackson, Joyce Owens, Bernard Williams, and Rhonda Wheatley – present an expansive range of art to kick off Black History Month. All four artists showcase different perspectives and mediums.

Jackson, professor of sculpture at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, examines the nation’s past through depictions of individuals who have made a difference to history. Owens, curator of the Galleries Program at Chicago State University, challenges the public to “look beyond the masks – the many faces we all wear” through her art. Williams, a former instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, incorporates signs and symbols to comment on the complexities of history, human development, and movement through the ages. Wheatley focuses on language and the written word in her paintings and collages on canvas and paper.

“Their artistic styles are as diverse as their themes,” says Harpaz. “Two of them (Jackson and Owens) reflect their roots and elevate their expressions to a universal level. The other two (Williams and Wheatley) highlight topics of collective interest, while maintaining their self-identity.”

Come mingle with these talented Chicago-based artists Thursday, Feb. 2, at the opening reception, sponsored by Oakton’s Pan African Connection, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, about the Museum, visit www.oakton.edu/museum.