Celebrate your love of the arts this Valentine's Day at Water Street Studios
Try something new this Valentine's Day and wander the award-winning galleries at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St. in Batavia. On Friday, Feb. 14, two new exhibitions by local artists will be on display for the public.
The Dempsey Family Gallery located on the first floor will feature "The Ancient Greek Elements Through a 21st-Century Lens," a group show exploring earth, water, air, and fire from the lens of the Ancient Greeks by Susan Aurinko, Georgia Schwender, Laura Husar Garcia, Candace Wark and Shirley Nannini.
The Chicago Capital Gallery located on the second floor features a photographic display of the Old Joliet Prison by Barbara Eberhard.
The Ancient Greeks used four classical elements to explain all matter. These elements were the foundation of philosophy, science and medicine for over 2000 years. The four elements essential to life were earth, representing things that were solid, water, things that were liquid, air, things that moved in a gaseous state and fire, things that destroyed. The Greeks believed the elements were unchanging.
The timeless elements are seen here through a 21st century lens by the work of Susan Aurinko's haunting capture of earth, Georgia Schwender's compelling depiction of fire, Laura Husar Garcia's meditative images of water along with Candace Wark and Shirley Nannini's ethereal confirmation of air.
"Behind the Prison Walls" is a photographic exhibit by Barbara Eberhard of the Old Joliet Prison.
During May, it was on exhibit on the third floor of the Gaylord Building in Lockport, Illinois. Currently it is available for other galleries.
Twenty-five images printed on metal, along with placards of information and installation pieces of barbed wire, give the viewer a look into the life of this prison that was built in 1858 and closed in 2002.
Included in the exhibit are images of the inside destruction of the administration building, an underground tunnel, dining hall, chapel and hospital to name a few.
Barbara Eberhard taught photography at the University of St. Francis, Joliet, for over 25 years. She is currently a member of Gallery Seven, Chicago Society of Artists, founder of "artitude," a traveling art exhibit of seven artists and founder and producer of (art) INSPIRED! live lit, a storytelling venue with art.
An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.
Meet the exhibiting artists and the Resident Artist community during this monthly event. In addition, a cash bar will be available featuring beer from Solemn Oath Brewery and wine selections from The Wine Exchange in St. Charles.
This event is free and open to all ages. They encourage all visitors to make a $5 donation at the door to support arts programming at Water Street Studios.
A special thank you to event sponsors: Chicago Capital LLC, Batavia Enterprises Inc., First National Bank, and K.Hollis Jewelers.
Both gallery exhibits will continue to be on display until 5 p.m. March 7. The exhibits in both galleries can be visited during regular public gallery hours: Thursday-Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
The mission of this 501(c)3 for-purpose art center is to help make the arts more accessible to the Fox Valley region and beyond. Its vision is to be a cultural hub in the Midwest. They provide local communities with classes, artist studios, gallery exhibitions, free programs for under-resourced families and schools, events in the historic venue, and more. Learn more at www.waterstreetstudios.org, www.facebook.com/Waterstreetcollective/ or www.instagram.com/waterstreetstudios/.