Work by Algonquin artist on display at Schaumburg's Prairie Center

Algonquin artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner is exhibiting new oil paintings, "Pilgrimage and Passages" through Dec. 22 in the Herbert J. Aigner Gallery at Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg.

The exhibit consists of large format oil paintings inspired by the artist's journey to World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany.

She traveled with her two teenage children and the Youth Ministry Group from St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Algonquin and the youth ministry groups from the Rockford Diocese. The young people and their chaperones traveled to Rome, the Vatican, Assisi, Munich, Dachau, Cologne and Belgium.

This historic pilgrimage culminated in an open air vigil Mass and a sunrise Mass with Pope Benedict XVI.

These colorful paintings depict sensations of motion, energy and excitement experienced while traveling in a foreign land.

The largest of the paintings evoke calm contemplation in the midst of 1.5 million people on a pilgrimage with a common purpose.

"This experience of a lifetime was a pilgrimage that brought our young people together with 1.5 million youth from around the world," Hill-Soldner said. "Together we shared a glimmer of hope, a 'sliver of light' on our journey of faith, peace and understanding in our shared world, and common humanity."

Hill-Soldner works out of her studio, Soldner Fine Art Studio at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake.

For more information, visit www.soldnerfineart.com or e-mail to jeanine@soldners.com. For details on the gallery, call (847) 923-3600.