A modern take on Mary
Images of the Virgin Mary seem to appear in the strangest places: salt stains on viaduct walls, imaged in agates, and burnt in toast.
Waiting around for miraculous sightings can take a while.
So the Orleans Street Gallery at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles has gathered a collection of more conventional paintings, photographs and mixed media images of Mary of Nazareth.
Titled "Picturing Mary: Contemporary Images of the Madonna," the exhibit will be on display Saturday through May 24.
Curator Ruth Nelson says the display of 25 fresh interpretations of the Virgin Mary is unique.
"There are very few exhibitions that combine contemporary art with religion," Nelson said.
A number of area artists answered her call for their own version of the image.
Pete Nawara, originally of Naperville and now of Chicago, is displaying his work, "Annunciation," and Valerie Fuqua of Downers Grove is presenting "Mother Knows Best."
"I was looking for works that expressed the sacred and devotion of Mary," Nelson said. "This exhibit has been a lot of fun to work on. Some artists even thanked me for the opportunity. They don't always have venues to show their work in."
An opening reception for "Picturing Mary" is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Orleans Street Gallery in the resort along North Avenue, just west of the DuPage County Airport. The actual address is 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.
The exhibit will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
"May is the month of Mary and devotion," Nelson said. "I thought since Mother's Day was such a nice time for the family, it would be nice to do this exhibition at the gallery around the same time."
The exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public.
"It is meant for any age, any faith and anyone who has interest in contemporary art," Nelson said.
For details, contact gallery director Anni Holm at art@OrleansStreetGallery.com or (630) 524-5048.
If you go
What: "Picturing Mary: Contemporary Images of the Madonna"
When: Exhibit opens Saturday and runs through May 24
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays
Where: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 524-5048 or art@OrleansStreetGallery.com
The artists
Diana Arrieta of New York City
Chantal Baros of Chicago
Dorisa Camps of Cuba, now living in France
Margaret Carsello of Hinsdale
Alicia Chester of Chicago
Brian Dortmund of Chicago
Makeba Kedem-DuBose of Chicago
Elisabeth Dzuricsko of Lisle and an art instructor at Marmion Academy in Aurora
Bro. Mark Elder of Chicago, a DePaul University faculty member
Valerie Fuqua of Downers Grove
Felipe Garcia of Chicago
LeeAnn Gause of Chicago
Diane Green of Chicago
Violet Jaffe of Arlington Heights
Richard Jochum of Austria, living in New York City
Aphrodite Navab of Iran, living in New York City
Pete Nawara of Naperville, living in Chicago
Kristine O'Reilly of Palos Park
Enrique Ortiz of New York City
Elizabeth Parker of Poland, living in Rolling Meadows
Rosie Prestie of Hinsdale
Cheryl Quick of Naperville
Ben Speckmann of Chicago
Rachel Weaver Rivera of Western Springs