Explore 'A Catalogue of Obsessions' at Elgin museum March 16

The Elgin Public Museum invites the community to an open house to celebrate Peter Olson and his new exhibit, "A Catalogue of Obsessions."

Stop by from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at the museum, 225 Grand Blvd. on Elgin's east side. Admission to the exhibit is free.

The natural history museum also has taken some birds out of collection for you to enjoy!

Enjoy light refreshments while Olson offers a lecture on his passions of birding and sea life and its extension into his art at 2:30 p.m.

"A Catalogue of Obsessions" features Olson's prints and drawings, augmented by antique natural history illustrations. Olson has stated, "This exhibit traces the arc of one artist's flirtation with natural history: in the wild, in museums and on the pages of antique textbooks. I have always been fascinated with the possibilities of blending science and art."

Olson is assistant director of the Northern Illinois University Art Museum in DeKalb. He has worked at the art museum for 25 years. Originally hired as an art preparator at the museum shortly after graduating with his master's of fine arts in printmaking. He has served as collection manager, curator, and as assistant director.

For details, email epm@cityofelgin.org or visit www.elginpublicmuseum.org.

The museum is looking for volunteers. The museum's mission is to enhance knowledge of the natural sciences and anthropology through the use of exhibits and interactive experiences.

If interested, call the museum at (847) 741-6655.

Follow the Elgin Public Museum on Facebook or twitter.com/Museum1907.