See 'American Presidents: Life Portraits' exhibit at Elgin library
"American Presidents: Life Portraits," a presidential portrait exhibit presented by C-SPAN, Comcast and the White House Historical Association, is on display at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.
This free, newly re-designed exhibit is open to the public through Sept. 24 at the main library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
The opening reception will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in the Elgin Room. Veteran actor Terry Lynch will bring the first American president to life in "George Washington: Mt. Vernon to Washington, D.C." President Washington's commitment to his family was as important to him as his commitment to his soldiers and to a fledgling nation. Learn how this land surveyor became the leader of a nation. People may register for the opening reception at www.gailborden.info.
"American Presidents: Life Portraits" features the only complete collection of American presidential oil portraits by one artist, renowned North Carolina painter and sculptor Chas Fagan. Accompanying the Fagan portraits are biographical sketches of all 43 presidents and each president's first lady. In addition to the sketches are photographs contributed by the White House Historical Association that capture each president's time in the White House, as well as audio and video that viewers can access through their smart phones.
Commissioned by C-SPAN in 1999, Fagan painted the presidential portraits to complement C-SPAN's Peabody Award-winning television series, "American Presidents: Life Portraits."
The exhibit has traveled to many presidential homes and libraries, and was on display in Washington, D.C. during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.
Since its redesign this year, exhibit visitors also will be able to listen to the voice of every president beginning with Theodore Roosevelt and watch biography videos of each president on their smart phones.
In Elgin, C-SPAN programming is carried on Comcast channel 14 as a public service. Comcast affiliate fees help support C-SPAN operations, including this exhibit.
The White House Historical Association is a charitable nonprofit institution whose purpose is to enhance the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. To fulfill its purpose, the White House Historical Association produces educational literature and films, school programs, and maintains a website interpreting the White House and its history and the persons and events associated with it. From private funding and the sale of its educational products, the Association supports the acquisition of artwork and objects for the White House collection and contributes to the conservation of the public rooms. Visit www.whitehousehistory.org.
The Gail Borden Public Library District is "fueled by the power of community." Because of its impact working with many partners, the library has been recognized numerous times, including the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor that can be bestowed on an American library. Serving a population of nearly 150,000, it is the largest public library district (self-governed) in the state of Illinois. With numerous literary resources and exciting exhibits like dinosaurs, space and Lego architecture, the library strives to engage people of all ages through education, recreation and creativity. The library is proud to host CSPAN's exhibit "American Presidents: Life Portraits" this summer.