Eola Road library to showcase area artists in new gallery
The Eola Road Branch of the Aurora Public Library has created an art gallery that will feature 10 works of art on a rotating basis.
An opening reception for the Reflections Art Gallery is set for 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Eola Road Branch, 555 S. Eola Road. The exhibit will continue through March.
Original artwork by 10 Aurora artists has been chosen to open the gallery, which encompasses spaces throughout the library.
Artists whose work has been chosen for exhibition are Sharon Ann, Cassandra Eldridge, Jo Fredell Higgins, Rae Ann Hoehn, Rita Moon Kain, Pat Lagger, Peggy Lynn McGahan, Bryna Nasenbeny, Robert Oppenborn and Lori Thomason.
A quick look at the featured artists:
Ÿ Jo Fredell Higgins is an internationally published writer, photographer, historian, essayist and poet. Higgins' photographs have won numerous awards and one was selected to be included in the “One Day USA” book published by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Her first book, “Naperville,” was printed by Arcadia Publishing in 2001. Her second book, “Geneva,” was published in 2002. Photo histories of DeKalb and Aurora were published in 2004 and 2006, respectively.
“Montgomery” will be her fifth title with Arcadia. Her novel “A Song for Cecilia” will be released in June.
Ÿ Cassandra Eldridge attended Waubonsie Valley High School and graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a degree in advertising and art design. She is pursuing a full-time career in wedding and portrait photography.
Ÿ Rita Moon Kain is a multimedia artist whose preferred medium is watercolor. Her drawings were selected for an international coloring book, and she has been profiled in Equine Vision magazine. She is a member of the Naperville Art League.
Ÿ Peggy Lynn McGahan's artwork is represented at the Cornerstone Gallery in Baraboo, Wis. She has exhibited her work in St. Charles, Genoa and Naperville, as well as at the Morton Arboretum, the Kendall County Town and Country Art Show and the Illinois State Town and Country Art Show. She also teaches adult art classes.
Ÿ Lori Thomason is pursuing her master's degree in social work at Aurora University. A graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School, she has a bachelor's degree in fashion design from Dominican University.
Ÿ Pat Lagger is a former East Aurora High School English teacher who now teaches piano in Aurora. She has been a practicing artist for 35 years and has had solo shows in Paris, Chicago and Toledo and has participated in group shows throughout the Western suburbs.
Ÿ Bryna Nasenbeny is a student at South Dakota State University at Brookings, where she is majoring in art education and graphic design. She is a 2008 graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School.
Ÿ Rae Ann Hoehn paints with oil, watercolor and acrylic and creates multimedia pieces. She teaches art classes in Aurora and shows her work online.
Ÿ Sharon Ann has been working in watercolor and multimedia for about 15 years. During 2010, she created a variety of multimedia works in acrylic, paper, charcoal, pastel and computer-generated designs and photos.
Ÿ Robert Oppenborn is an architect who has worked in many different mediums. Oppenborn began to dabble in stained glass two years ago as a personal hobby and soon found himself creating commissioned pieces. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Oppenborn was raised in Oak Park and was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright to become an architect. He attended Fenwick High School.
If you go
If you go
What: Opening reception for Reflections Art Galley
When: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15; display runs through March
Where: Aurora Public Library's Eola Road Branch, 555 S. Eola Road
Cost: Free