Fine Line's 'On the Wing' exhibit celebrates birds
"On the Wing," the current gallery show at Fine Line's Kavanagh Gallery, is an homage to birds. Over 70 works of art are on display featuring our feathered friends.
As you walk through the gallery door, you see a fantastic set of wings, each spanning over 80 inches, painted by local artist Andrea Ioder.
Ioder has created a spectacular statement piece of art using acrylic, charcoal and crayon.
Wandering around the gallery, you are met with a wide range of art, including wall art by David Gregory from Illinois, Susan Harris from Virginia, and Beverly Smith from Alabama.
Gregory, whose work has been shown at Fine Line before, has a watercolor piece entitled "Redwing Sentinel." Gregory found his inspiration for the piece from a poem by renowned writer Carl Sandburg called "Laughing Corn" which talks of a chittering blackbird on a corn stalk.
Susan Harries from Virginia has two works in the show. Harris uses crochet techniques in her work. She has crocheted both a bird and a nest using sterling silver wire, which she feels helps convey a bird's mingled strength and fragility. Each piece is set on a crocheted merino wool background.
Beverly Smith has been painting for over 20 years. Smith has created two pieces using alkyd oils: "Red, White and Blue" and "Puffinstuff." The works, while small in size, only 5 x 7 inches each, are full of great light and vibrant colors.
This display has brought together 62 artists from 23 states in a celebration of birds.
The "On the Wing" award winners are: Best of Show Carolyn Davis' "Navigation Beacon"; Awards of Merit Trudy Borenstein-Sugiura's "Returned to Sender," Sarah McNabb's "Ambrosia," and Rebecca Spilecki's "The Way of the Dodo"; and honorable mentions Cheryl Holz' "Nature Ephemera: Flycatcher Fossil Fungus"; Valerie Mann's "Window Strikes Series, Bluebird 3"; Peggy Sue Seehafer's "Preening Whooping Crane"; and Beverly Smith's "Red, White and Blue."
David Marcet, an art professor at Benedictine University in Lisle, was the judge for the show.
The show runs until Aug. 10. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
As with all exhibitions at the Kavanagh Gallery, there is no fee to wander around the show at Fine Line Creative Arts Center, 37W570 Bolcum Road in St. Charles.
For information, call (630) 584-9443, email info@fineline.org or visit www.fineline.org.