Wayne artist displays nature photos at Bartlett gallery

Arts in Bartlett presents a new exhibit, "Exploring Nature" by Sheila Newenham of Wayne, running through Jan. 3, 2020, at Bartlett Village Hall 2nd Floor Gallery, 228 S. Main St., Bartlett. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

A reception to meet the artist will be from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, which is free.

"I hope to connect people to nature by sharing my passion for wildlife and wild places. By bringing the individual, emotional, sentient side of our natural world into people's homes, I can expand your appreciation and experience of the wild," said Newenham.

"I want my art to show you something you've never seen before, or to make you think about something in a new way and for it to stay with you when you leave.

"I feel most alive when I am out wandering. Every chance encounter with a wild animal invigorates me. Those precious moments when we both stop entirely and regard one another, then the acceptance in watching that sentient being go about the business of daily life without any further concern for me are gifts," Newenham said.

"I love to venture off the beaten path, to marvel at things I've never seen, noticed or appreciated before, to learn about places through immersion and to breathe it all in. And then my heart is full. Join me, through my pictures and words, in my journeys near and far. I hope that you are inspired to get out there, too."

Newenham's images have earned local and international honors, are featured on the Wildlife Illinois and Outdoor Illinois Wildlife Journal websites, and are found in both public and private collections.

New images are posted daily on Sheila's Exploring Nature Photography pages on Instagram and Facebook. Her website, www.exploringnaturephotos.com, hosts her curated image collection and provides current information about exhibits and sales.

For information, contact Arts in Bartlett at (630) 372-4152.