Mainstreet Gallery introduces a host of fascinating characters in new exhibit

Mainstreet Gallery is presenting a new juried exhibition, “Not Your Average Joe,” this October. The artists participating answered Mainstreet Gallery’s call to “introduce us to some fascinating people — real or imagined.” The exhibition features a variety of different portrait and figurative pieces in all different types of media: sculptures, collages, paintings, and on.

“It’s so rare to have a show like this in the suburbs,” said gallery owner Frankie Johnson. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to see how truly creative and imaginative portraits can be.”

Indeed, the exhibition is filled with unique takes on poses and faces that go beyond the traditional executive portrait or posed in a chair sitting.

The artwork has captured people in all aspects of human (and sometimes not so human) life. There are paintings of rodeo clowns, ballerinas, selfie takers and sculptures of aquatic aliens. Each of the artists has played with perspective, color choice and poses to engage the audience.

The juried exhibition features the work of over 40 artists from around the Northwest Chicago and Southern Wisconsin areas.

“We are so excited to introduce the public to these characters. All of our staff smile each time they walk into the exhibit. There are so many quality works. It’s an education for other artists, too, in the ways in which you can approach a portrait,” remarked Johnson.

The gallery, at 16 E. Main St., in Lake Zurich, will be hosting an awards and exhibition reception from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, that is open to the public.

In addition to the “Not Your Average Joe,” exhibition, the gallery is also hosting three local artists in it’s Spotlight space. These artists are featuring their own work of abstract monoprints, oil and pastel paintings. Both exhibitions are hanging at Mainstreet Gallery throughout the month of October.