Honoring those artists who are always among us
The 20th Birthday Gallery -- a temporary exhibit celebrating art from and about Native Americans -- enjoyed the spotlight as more than 100 artists from across the country exhibit in the St. Charles Fine Arts Show this weekend.
The temporary exhibit, which is open through Saturday at 228 W. Main St. (Route 64 and Third Street) in St. Charles, is part of the festival, which runs again from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
The exhibit is named for the 20th birthday of the 15-foot bronze statute of the Potawatomi Indian Ekwabet (or "watching over") which stands on the east bank of the Fox River just north of the St. Charles police station.
The exhibit's organizer, Elizabeth Bellaver of St. Charles, did not have to look far for inspiration. She is the wife of local artist Guy Bellaver, whose sculpture of Ekwabet was dedicated in 1988.
She also wanted to honor living artists, and Native American artists in particular.
"We need to be reminded that Native Americans are not dead, they are here and with us," she said. "They are still producing art and they still have a culture and a society. We tend to focus on events of 150 years ago, or longer.
"Plus, I am a big believer in people being able to appreciate living artists," she added. "So as these two issues are important to me, I wanted to find living Native American artists."
The exhibit includes 100 pieces, the works of 20 artists from across the nation, mostly Native American. On display are watercolors, oil, pottery, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography and even acrylic on skateboards.
Most of the artwork is for sale, including a limited edition bronze of the original Ekwabet sculpture.
The 20th Birthday Gallery is staffed by volunteers and funded by contributions, including donations from the Downtown St. Charles Partnership's Public Art Committee. The birthday exhibit is open until Saturday; hours are noon to 6 p.m. today, Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.