Northwest Cultural Council pays tribute to poet Mary Oliver with exhibit

Posted November 20, 2019 10:00 pm

Submitted by Tom Warnke, Northwest Cultural Council

"Turtle Freedom" by Roger Gates is among the artwork on display in the Northwest Cultural Council's newest exhibit honoring poet Mary Oliver. Courtesy of Northwest Cultural Council

Northwest Cultural Council pays tribute to Mary Oliver with exhibit

The Northwest Cultural Council is excited to announce its current exhibit that honors one of America's outstanding modern poets, Mary Oliver.

The exhibit at Arlington Green Executive Center is comprised of single works by 17 of the council's artists. Each artist has selected one of Oliver's poems as inspiration for their piece. The poem is displayed adjacent to each work and will be read aloud during a reception for the artists on Dec. 7.

In addition to Oliver's work, two original poems by council artists are on display. The exhibit will run through Jan. 4.

Mary Oliver was born in Ohio in 1935 and spent her adult life in New England, then in Florida, where she died in January of this year.

From a young age, she immersed herself in nature and was quoted as saying, "When it's over, I want to say: 'All my life/I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.'"

Her first collection of poems was published in 1963, when she was 28. Oliver received numerous awards and recognition throughout her life. In 2007, The New York Times described her as "far and away, this country's best-selling poet."

This exhibit contains photography, stained glass, watercolor, oil and acrylic painting, as well as bas-relief sculpture. Participating artists include Mary Blinn, Steve Bogaerts, Joe Burlini, Cheryl Calderon, Dean Caminiti, Robert R. Cobb, Roger Gates, John Green, James Hojnacki, Karen Meadows, Moon Ja Park, Linda Nye, Lynnea Semasko, Gary Swiontek, Tom Warnke, Nancy Wedow and Tiffany Whisler.

Through the generosity of one of the council's ongoing sponsors, RF Wittmeyer, Ltd., the public is invited to a reception with refreshments from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Some of the artists will have gift items for sale.

There is ample free parking at Arlington Green Executive Center, 2101 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.

"Some Herons" by Tom Warnke is among the works on display at Arlington Green Executive Center in a new exhibit hosted by the Northwest Cultural Council, which honors poet Mary Oliver. Courtesy of Northwest Cultural Council

James Hojnacki's "Dawn on the Madison" is part of the Northwest Cultural Council exhibit honoring poet Mary Oliver, on display through Jan. 4 at Arlington Green Executive Center in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Northwest Cultural Council

The Northwest Cultural Council pays tribute to poet Mary Oliver with its new exhibit at Arlington Green Executive Center. Included in the artwork on display is Nancy Wedow's "Humpbacks." Courtesy of Northwest Cultural Council

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