SPRINGFIELD – Four Springfield education and arts organizations have partnered to present exhibits next month that explore the various ways artists merge language into their visual art.
Lincoln Land Community College, the University of Illinois Springfield, the Illinois State Museum and the Springfield Art Association have formed the Pro-Text Partnership, with plans to present exhibits and events at each organization’s creative venues.
All four partner venues will also host an evening of coordinated receptions on Friday, March 13, with the public invited at no charge. These receptions will allow guests to move from site to site to view all four exhibitions in a single evening and enjoy light refreshments at each place.
Exhibit and reception information is:
Lincoln Land Community College
- Trutter Center, 5250 Shepherd Road, Springfield
- “Text by Design”
- Exhibit duration: March 13 to April 3
- Opening reception: March 13, 4 to 6 p.m.
The LLCC exhibit will feature the work of more than 40 students in LLCC’s 3D Design, Screen printing and Intro to Graphic Design classes. The freestanding-designed exhibit will have large pieces made of cardboard, foam core, wood, Plexiglas, ceramics and other materials and mediums.
Reception will be sponsored by the Philip and Mary Kathryn Trutter Museum
University of Illinois Springfield
- Visual Arts Gallery, Health Sciences Building 201, UIS campus
- “Pretty Thoughts: Works by Mauricio Ramirez”
- Exhibit duration: March 8 to Sept. 13
- Opening reception: March 13, 4 to 6 p.m.
Mauricio Ramirez has been described as an architect of letters and icons. Born and raised in Chicago, the urban landscape became his canvas at a young age. Ramirez is a graduate of UIS and is now an artist in residence at Lacuna Artist Lofts in Chicago. Ramirez’s work can also be seen on walls and freights throughout the Midwest.
Illinois State Museum
- Second Floor Gallery, 502 South Spring Street, Springfield
- “Pro-Text: When Words Enter Visual Art”
- Exhibit duration: March 8 to Sept. 13
- Opening reception: March 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The ISM show will feature the work of nearly 30 artists and is curated by ISM Assistant Director of Art Robert Sill. “When words, poetry, or type fragments combine with any form of visual art … it exhibits additional layers of meaning,” Sill said. “It can trigger new thoughts, create narratives, produce sounds or even evoke feelings.”
Springfield Art Association
- M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, 700 North 4th Street, Springfield
- “Pro-Text Addendum”
- Exhibit duration: March 6 to April 3
- Opening reception: March 6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Progressive reception: March 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The SAA show will feature more works by several of the artists featured in the Illinois State Museum show. Artists include Stan Bly, Shayne Brantley, SAA Executive Director Betsy Dollar, Shane Harris, Allison Lacher, Ruthann Mazrim, Michael Miller, Terry Rathje, Brian Sullivan, Kevin Veara and Thom Whalen.
Additional free public events, entitled “Text Talks” are planned at the Illinois State Museum on March 19, April 16 and May 21. All events begin at 7 p.m.
