Native art exhibit comes to Elgin Public Museum July 27

Submitted by Elgin Public Museum

Discover the works of art created by native people of the Southwest on Saturday, July 27, at the Elgin Public Museum, 225 Grand Blvd., in Elgin.

The Diné, or Navajo, use sand and other natural pigments for dry paintings only to destroy them soon after completion. Why? This art form began as a spiritual healing system rather than art for art’s sake. Sandpantings are part of religious chants that promote healing and well-being. Learn about the ceremonies these works of art were created for, the spiritual beings called yéi, who pepper sandpaintings, and the methods and pigments used.

Wrap up the session by trying your hand at a small scale version to take home.

The program will run from 11 a.m. to noon. It costs $6, or $4 for museum members.

The Elgin Public Museum is located in Lords Park. To register, call the museum at (847) 741-6655 or email russell_epm@cityofelgin.org. Visit [URL]www.elginpublicmuseum.org;http://www.elginpublicmuseum.org[URL].

While at the museum, check out a completely different type of art — tagging and graffiti. The temporary exhibit, “Tagged: Exploring Modern Graffiti,” investigates the pervasiveness of graffiti in contemporary society and considers both its artistic merit and transgressive nature. Created by the graduate students enrolled in Northern Illinois University’s award-winning museum studies program.[/URL]