fotoMuses celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with new exhibit

The fotoMuses, a group of women photographers, present their newest exhibit, “Americana -- 250 Years in Focus,” at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum, 108 S. Bloomingdale Road in Bloomingdale. The exhibit continues now through May 30.

An artist reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17. In their latest fine-art exhibit, the fotoMuses’ collectively captured the essence of the American story; showcasing the individuality of each artist; through the lens of a camera.

Curators of this exhibit are members Anne Frantzen of Hinsdale and Joan Kalmanek of Lisle.

“In celebration of our country’s 250th birthday, our members gathered an array of photographs, allowing visitors to step into the heart of our nation,” Frantzen said. “Our goal as a group was to create an exhibit that offers a window into the cultural and social landscape that shapes our American identity.”

Kalmanek found the creativity of the fotoMuses members endless.

“From iconic landmarks to everyday life, this collection spans two and a half centuries of places, people, and moments that define the United States,” Kalmanek said. “We are celebrating our past while reflecting on our present; revealing the enduring spirit of America.”

The Bloomingdale Park District Museum itself brings Americana in focus. Housed in Bloomingdale’s historic 1849 structure, it was the first to be built in the town; originally housing the First Baptist Church of Christ.

Visitors today can view its beauty, with original ceiling, knotty pine floors, and some of the original glass pain windows. The original bark-covered trees continue to support this historic beauty’s foundation.

Officially termed America’s Semiquincentennial; 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the fotoMuses’ hope to take guests back in time, while allowing viewers to experience life as we see it today.

The fotoMuses is a group of women who display their photos in a creative, professional way. The group is currently made up of nine women from the western suburbs, many of whom met while discovering their creative sides together through the photography program at the College of DuPage. It includes Marita Blanken and Linda Markese, both of Downers Grove; Janice Henry of Bloomingdale; Judy Kinal of Roselle; Joan Ladendorf of Hanover Park; Marje Reichart of St. Charles; and Joan Trushin of West Chicago.

Regular exhibit hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, and Saturday. For more information on this exhibit, go to bloomingdaleparks.org/facilities/bpd-museum or call (630) 339-3570. Museum is only open during exhibitions.

For more information on the fotoMuses, visit their new website at www.thefotoMuses.com.