J.P. Morgan art collection comes to North Central's new gallery
Visitors to North Central College's new $29.2 million Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center will be treated in October to an exhibit of work by famous artists.
"Of People and Places," contemporary work from J.P. Morgan's Art Collection, will hang in the Shoenherr Art Gallery from Wednesday, Oct. 1, through Wednesday, Oct. 29. The 41-piece collection features works from 17 established and emerging modern artists, including Andy Warhol, Diane Arbus and Cindy Sherman.
"It was a dream come true for the college," said John Holmberg, the Naperville college's capital gifts officer. "We're going to be able to see some world class artwork."
Holmberg said he met Joe Weidenbach, managing director of J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Management in the western and northwestern suburbs, at a Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting after the company opened a Naperville office two years. ago. The college then was raising money for the new arts center and Weidenbach was impressed enough with the plans to help win a $50,000 contribution.
The company was interested in making an in-kind contribution as well from its world-renown corporate art collection. "Of People and Places," a traveling exhibit marking the 50th anniversary of when the collection was started in 1959, was a natural fit, Weidenbach said.
"A lot of our clients are into the arts and culture and gifting," he said. "We're tickled pink to be part of that."
The exhibit includes 10 silk-screens by Warhol, known for his portraits of iconic American products; a photo titled "Teenage Couple on Hudson Street, New York City" by Arbus, who often captured images of people living on the edges of society; two film still photographs by Sherman; and a large pencil drawing by Latvia-born Vija Celmins.
Famous children's characters including Mickey Mouse, Howdy Doody and Superman are the subjects of some of the artwork as well.
"This exhibit explores traditional themes of the human figure, landscape and environment in works that are innovative and inspiring," said Lisa Erf, director of the J.P. Morgan's Art Collection in a news release. "They are contemporary highlights from a collection that originated nearly 50 years ago as a pioneering concept in corporate culture: to use museum-quality art not just as decoration, but to create a thought-provoking, stimulating environment."
Although the grand opening of the arts center is not until Oct. 18, the gallery will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and one hour before most performing arts events, starting Wednesday.
If you go
What: "Of People and Places," exhibit of comtemporary art from J.P. Morgan's Art Collection
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, Oct. 1-29
Where: Schoenherr Art Gallery in Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 637-5300