'World of Imagination' exhibit on display to Oct. 2
Pen and ink artist Mark Fortman exhibits the art of the theater during his exhibit, “World of Imagination,” on display through October 2, 2011 as the Featured Artist at Gallery 200, 200 Main Street, West Chicago.
Fortman, a 23-year resident of West Chicago, is best known throughout the community as the pen and ink artist that captures local landmarks in his works. However, the last year has brought about a different twist on the term “artist” and he now finds himself on stage, acting in local theater productions.
His first experience on stage was through the West Chicago Park District's Community Theater and their presentation of “Annie”, where he played a hobo. That was one year ago and he has since performed in five plays with three different theater groups. “I've had so much fun doing the plays, I continue to audition,” said Fortman.
By trade, Fortman has been a union electrician for the past 20 years, working throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. He admits to being very busy, juggling his career with art, acting and family. He said, “I'm tired until I get on the stage. There's an energy that comes from it. If I had known, I would have started acting in high school.”
A self-taught artist, Fortman began with pen and ink illustrations that resembled period advertising from the 1920s and 1930s. He started with a train illustration and found that he eventually lost his fear of making mistakes. Now he finds pen and ink illustrating to be very relaxing. Fortman said, “Once I get an image to where I want, it's like a good book that I can't put down.”
West Chicago landmarks have been regular subjects of his illustrations and have included the downtown water tower, the Illinois Prairie Path Bridge near Reed-Keppler Park and various train and fire district images as well as St. Mary's Church.
Fortman has also illustrated the monument outside of the West Chicago Fire Protection District Station, located at 200 Fremont Street. The monument includes an eagle which was once part of the façade of Washington School, formerly located on the site. Commemorative prints are available for sale during his exhibit, with all of the proceeds to be donated to the Fire Protection District.
The “World of Imagination” exhibit is on display through October 2, 2011. It includes his pen and ink illustrations as well as the progression of Fortman's artwork into scenery and prop creation for theatrical performances. Props from local productions are included, such as the exaggerated hands he created for his role as The Cowardly Lion in “The Wiz,” as well as artwork from theater programs and posters. His goal is to demonstrate how props and scenery, combined with proper lighting, create theater magic.
Gallery 200 is a cultural initiative supported by the City of West Chicago and the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, and is one more reason West Chicago was named an Illinois Arts Friendly Community in 2007. Gallery 200 is open Thursday and Friday from 12:00 - 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information, including a complete list of current art classes, Local Music Night and Gallery Theater, call (630) 293-9550 or visit www.gallery200.org.