"Stitch Me a Story" on Wednesday, Opening Reception on Sunday!

This Wednesday, September 16th come visit the Noyes Cultural Arts Center to see our beautiful new exhibit, "Stitch Me a Story." Featuring the works of four amazing textile artists Ellen Roth Deutsch, Anita Garza, Danny Mansmith and Pam RuBert, this gallery show was curated by Mary O’Shaughnessy and runs through November 10th. A special Opening Artists Reception will be held on Sunday, September 20th at 3:00-5:00 PM at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center and we hope that you will be able to join us in this delightful celebration of textile arts!

Here is a preview of the work in the show! Enjoy!

Artwork above: "Grandma's House" by Danny Mansmith.

Artwork at above: "Mysterious" by Pam RuBert

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

Black History Month Events Going on in Evanston!

With the Inauguration on our heels, this year’s Black History Month has a lot to celebrate. Evanston has come prepare with these exciting events:

"Sapphire and Crystals: Beyond Race and Gender” (Noyes Art Gallery) - Now through March 12.

- Celebrate Black History Month with this intriguing art exhibition "Sapphire and Crystals: Beyond Race and Gender." This exhibition showcases the work of 20 African-American women artists, addresses issues central to the election of America's new President and Vice President. Through their work, the artists explore the current state of race and gender in the United States as well as their expectations and hopes for the future. Bright and vibrant, this exhibit fills both floors of the gallery. Co-sponsored by the Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Guild, the art exhibition will remain on display through March 12. The Noyes Art Gallery is at 927 Noyes St., Evanston; admission is always free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. The building is accessible and group tours are available. For more information, call 847-448-8260.

Levy Center Presents Films on African American History of Evanston (Levy Center) - February 19th, 27th, and 29th.

- In celebration of Black History Month, the Levy Center will present two films that discuss African American history of Evanston.

Evanston Connection: Coming Home Celebration
Friday, February 27 9:30 am

Evanston Living History
Thursday, February 19 10:00 am
Thursday, February 19 1:30 pm
Thursday, February 26 7:00 pm

All screenings will all take place at the Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave. and are free of charge. All are welcome.

Have fun celebrating!

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

February Gallery Exhibit! Sapphire & Crystals: BEyONd Race and Gender

Join the Noyes Cultural Arts Center and the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center in the City of Evanston's celebration of Black History Month. This year, we are extremely lucky to host the Sapphire & Crystals artist's collective exhibit entitled BEyONd Race and Gender.

The exhibit runs from January 23 to March 12, 2009. The opening reception will be on Sunday, January 25, from 3PM-5PM and will feature local jazz group The Walter Clark Trio.


Noyes Cultural Arts Center
927 Noyes St., Evanston, IL
847.448.8260
Gallery hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM
Sun 10AM-6PM


The Sapphire & Crystals artist’s collective was established in the late 1980s because of the biases women faced as artists. Specifically, artists Felicia Grant Preston and Marva Pitchford Jolly decided to stop waiting for someone to choose them and decided to choose themselves, and other artists they knew. In 1986, the group launched the first Sapphire & Crystals exhibition at the South Side Community Art Center in historic Bronzeville. Employing the tenets of self determination, they banded together to create exhibition opportunities for themselves and other professional women artists.

Shahar Caren Weaver

That began a 20-plus year history of showing and mentoring promising and established professional women artists throughout the city and beyond. A regular component of the exhibition is the Self-Portrait Silent Auction. This year, all bids open at $125. Another feature is a collaborative altar/installation produced on site. The Noyes exhibition fills two floors of the center.

Dorothy Carter

The curator for the exhibition, artist and Chicago State University art professor Joyce Owens, has managed a series of successful exhibitions for the group in recent years. At Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, the Sapphire & Crystals: Black, White and Blues exhibition was one of 12 featured programs during Chicago Artists Month in 2005. Owens has also organized Sapphire & Crystals exhibitions at Concordia University Chicago and the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago.

The following women will be showcasing their work as a part of the Sapphire & Crystals collective:

Rose Blouin
Dorothy Carter
Arlene Turner Crawford
Makeba Kedem DuBose
Juarez Hawkins
Candace Hunter
Renee Williams Jefferson
Marva Pitchford Jolly
Nicole Malcolm
Joyce Owens
Frances Callaway Parks
Felicia Grant Preston
Joanne Scott
Janet Sheard
Patricia Stewart
Michelle Stutts
Shirley J. Sullivan
Dorian Sylvain
Pearlie Taylor
Anna M. Tyler
Shahar Caren Weaver
Rhonda Wheatley
Shyvette Williams

Reminder! Corinne D. Peterson's "Between" Opening November 23!

Come out to the Noyes Cultural Arts Center to support Corinne D. Peterson at the opening of her gallery installation "Between." There will also be a reception on this Sunday, November 23 from 3pm to 5pm. Refreshments & snacks will be provided! Plus, it's free!

Here are some pictures of "Between:"

Various Stone Markers

Trans/Forming Walls

(terra cotta)

Going Nowhere

(terra cotta)

Untitled

Don't forget to stop by! The exhibition is running from November 20th to January 12th!

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

Behind the Exposition - Corinne D. Peterson

Despite the fact that Corinne D. Peterson recently injured her back while working on one of her pieces, her enthusiasm and spirit has not faltered one bit. Her smiles glows as she discusses her new installation at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center entitled “Between,” opening November 20 and running through January 12, 2009.

Inspired by nature and architecture, this collection of clay and mixed media artwork embodies the idea of exposure. Each piece is some type of aged wall that has been torn down, broken, or changed by nature to reveal something within, in this case found objects. These pieces, like their theme, go much farther than the surface, however, because Peterson always thinks metaphorically and psychologically. She says that when creating these pieces she envisions not only the walls themselves but the idea of “inner walls, walls that people put up emotionally.” This idea, combined with the concept of exposure, shows what is “Between,” as Peterson says.

While this gallery show is running, Peterson hopes to continue work on this series. She has also been commissioned to make more of her clay markers, specifically one for the Children’s Garden at the Lutheran Hospital. For more information on Peterson’s ongoing work or to commission a maker, visit her website at http://www.cdpeterson.com/ .

So come out and support Corinne D. Peterson at the opening reception for “Between” on this Sunday, November 23 from 3pm to 5pm here at 927 Noyes St. Refreshments & snacks will be provided! Bonus: the reception is free!

- L.A.U.R.E.N.

Corinne D. Peterson Exhibit Opening Nov. 20

Clay sculptor Corinne D. Peterson's work will be on display at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center's first floor gallery. The exhibit, entitled "Between," opens November 20 and runs through January 12, 2009. Corinne's studio work draws upon forms found in nature and architecture.

Corinne also has an accomplished career in public art. Notably, she collaborated with fellow Chicago artist Juan Angel Chavez to create "Hopes and Dreams," a mosaic which spans the Red--Orange/Green Line transfer at the Roosevelt el stop.

For more information check Corinne's webstie at: http://www.cdpeterson.com/

The opening reception will be held this Sunday, November 23. You can meet Corinne and learn more about "Between" from 3pm to 5pm here at 927 Noyes St. Refreshments & snacks will be provided! The reception is free.

Noyes Cultural Arts Center Open House, October 11, 2008

Join the Evanston Cultural Arts Division staff as well as all the other organizations and studios at Noyes from 11am to 3pm tomorrow for the Noyes Cultural Arts Center Open House!

Rock Paper Scissors Opening Reception
2pm-4pm, First Floor Noyes Gallery. Gallery open 10am-6pm daily.
Meet the wonderful artists who have contributed to the Rock Paper Scissors exhibit at Noyes. Artists used rocks, paper, or scissors as media or subject matter for their works. Refreshments available! (Exhibit runs through November 11th). FREE

Rock Paper Scissors Puppet Demonstration by Michael Montenegro
11am, Noyes Room 106
See a puppet in action as created by Rock Paper Scissors artist Michael Montenegro. FREE

Rock Paper Scissors-Inspired Arts and Crafts Activities
11am-3pm, Noyes Main Enterance and Room 106
Jill Silverman leads arts and crafts inspiried by the Rock Paper Scissors exhibit. Paint and decorate your own pet rock outside, do oragami and paper cutting crafts inside! FREE

The Figure Through Different Eyes Exhibit
10am-6pm daily, Second Floor Noyes Gallery.
Paintings and drawings of the human figure by Figurative Art League members. The Figurative Art League is located in Noyes Studio 215. Learn more at: http://www.figurativeartleague.net/(Exhibit runs through October 27). FREE

Collage and Silkscreen Demonstration
11am-2pm, Studio 221
See printmaking and coloring on cloth by Maggie Weiss, Textile Artist. FREE

Printmaking Demonstration and Open House
11am-3pm, Noyes Basement Evanston Art Center Studio
Master printer Julian Cox creates etchings, woodcuts, intaglios and more!
Learn more about the Evanston Art Center and all of their locations at: http://www.evanstonartcenter.org/. FREE

What is an Etching? Open Studio
11am-3pm, Noyes Studio 212
An Exhibit of prints and drawings by artist Elizabeth Ockwell. FREE

Kidfrolic Crafting Kit
11am-3pm Noyes Room 106
Create a paper doll kid using the features and characteristics you choose! Recommended for ages 5 and up. Learn more about Kidfrolic at http://www.kidfrolic.com/! FREE

Intermediate Acrobatic Stilts
Noon-1:30pm Actor's Gymnasium
Defy gravity and observe an intermediate acrobatic stilts class. Ages 8+. Visit http://www.actorsgymnasium.com/ for more information on classes for kids and adults! FREE

Secrets of Bronze Casting Open Studio and Sale
1pm-3pm, Noyes Studio 214
Learn about the wax method of making bronze sculptures; studio art sale follows by sculpture and painting artist Valerie Schiff. FREE unless you buy something of course!

Plus more! Don't miss the Noyes Cultural Arts Center Open House and all of the fun and activities for the whole family!

See you there, Laura

Isaac Williams--Craft Matching Content: Part II

As I watch Zeke work, it is evident that his mantra lies where high craft matches content. Only a man as passionate as he could carefully show me how to thread a needle while intricately explaining what it means in his grand installation. Zeke finds his inspiration in basic concepts like concrete cracks on the sidewalk and trash in a garbage can, as well as in complex content found in literature and on the internet. However, as Zeke simply states it, “talking out the idea helps develop it,” thus his discussions with colleagues, friends and family are the true catalysts to bringing his artwork to life.

Although he has been educated in both Printmaking and Book & Paper Arts, Zeke’s work has evolved over time to slowly diverge away from printmaking altogether. His current goal in his artwork is to integrate 2D and 3D sculpture in order to create a richer image and a “layered art experience.” With “Husk,” the dining room is not only portrayed as a place of consumption but as a domestic space that “hits close to home” and creates a personal connection within each viewer. “How do you get people to relate to your art?” is one question Zeke is always asking himself, and that question has lead to his dream of eventually creating an entire house-worth of installations to accompany his lone dining room.

Time is definitely not a constraint for Zeke, considering “Husk” originally took him seven full days to assemble for his MFA thesis! Instead, he approaches art by “reacting to materials, dreaming up ideas, and just getting out and doing it,” (similar to the Fluxus method coined by artist George Maciunas.) No matter how many complications arise, Zeke is in it for the long-haul.

With respect to future art happenings, Zeke likes to “follow the trail that gets laid out in front of [him].” In addition to making artist books that are shipped across the country, Zeke is currently figuring out ways to make his art more public by breaking through gallery boundaries. Already having a broad range of followers, he hopes to continue attracting a diverse fan base.

If you want to discuss your ideas of “Husk” or life in general with Zeke, be sure to attend the gallery reception for the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” exhibit on October 11th from 2-4 pm at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center.

This is Kristina signing out…again.

Isaac Williams--Craft Matching Content: Part I

You could never imagine the contents of an entire room suspended from yarn until you see the magic of Isaac Williams’ environment puppet coming to life right here at the Noyes Cultural Art Center. As a part of the “Rock, Paper, Scissors” exhibit, “Husk” takes the craft of handmade paper and the fertile content of a family dining room to an unprecedented level by creating an installation filled with subtle hints and undertones of consumption and consumerism.

Isaac Williams, or “Zeke” as he likes to be called, was born and raised traditionally in the Midwest with chores like setting up the dinner table every night for his family. It’s that place of communion that has inspired his latest installation. From dinnerware to chairs to a hutch, all of the installation’s pieces come together as a hanging static display and are intended to be manipulated by viewers over time, thus giving them the ability to “make the artwork happen.” The piece is even topped off with a delicate framing to resemble a hanging work of art.

Consumption being one of its main themes, “Husk” depicts a basic place of unity where so many people gather to dine. Zeke makes these themes as subtle as possible, however. For example, the dining table fits together like a puzzle of continents and bodies of water to represent a globe of the world. This along with other abstractions within Zeke’s creation allows the viewers’ imagination to run wild.

Interested in these alterations of reality, Zeke decided to take up installations as his artistic passion for a number of reasons. He believes the content comes across better and that the overall environment confronts and speaks to people more. The art industry is constantly competing with high levels of mainstream entertainment like movie theatres and amusement parks, so installing an environment makes Zeke him feel like he is bringing people back to the gallery for a unique experience. The interactive factor of his artwork additionally provides a lasting impact in the viewer’s memory.

If you’re up the challenge, experience this for yourself from September 18th to November 11th at the Noyes Cultural Art Center. The Gallery reception for “Rock, Paper, Scissors” will be held on October 11th from 2-4 pm as a kickoff to Evanston’s Annual Arts Week.

This is Kristina signing out…

Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot! - Paulsrud Rocks Noyes

Pamela Paulsrud, a Wilmette native, stands atop a ladder staring pensively at a wall of stones. With one small pebble in her hand and mounting clay in the other, any passerby could think she was playing an elaborate game, or perhaps even decorating our stylish white walls. However, as you draw nearer, it becomes clear that what Paulsrud is creating is no game or decoration, but a beautiful poem crafted of out small stones and written . . . in brail.

Part of an instillation entitled “Rock, Paper, Scissors” that opens October 11th at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Paulsrud’s creation is modeled after her brother’s poem, “When You See the Soil.” The poem expands on what Paulsrud calls the stewardship of the earth and explains how humanity is failing to take care of its precious world. “Until the vision is felt inside, the eyes, the brain, the hand can’t see,” say the tiny rocks on the wall. Paulsrud chose to display the poem in brail to show how we as society don’t really “see” the true earth. “I’ve always been intrigued by the ability to communicate beyond the message encoded in the text,” explains Paulsrud, and this piece surely bridges that boundary.

A lifelong artist, Paulsrud got the idea for this piece from her greatest inspiration – nature. “I feel myself drawn to nature,” says Paulsrud, “my artwork [and] my life [are] informed and inspired by both the inner and outer landscape.” By taking long walks on the beach, riding her bike through the forest, and meditating on hilltops, Paulsrud connects with the land to uncover her next artistic creation.

Paulsrud also specializes in papermaking and book altering, interweaving designs of cymatics into both. “Cymatics [are a] sound wave phenomena,” describes Paulsrud on her website (www.pamelapaulsrud.com). She is involved, too, with an on-going project called Tree Whispers that collects handmade paper with stories about trees written on them and then builds them back into tree like shapes.

We are all very excited to see Paulsrud’s finished product. Personally, this entire exhibit is my favorite installation that we have had at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. This installation is running from September 18th through November 11th. So come out to the reception for “Rock, Paper, Scissors” on Saturday, October 11th from 2:00 to 4:00pm to see it all in action!


- L.A.U.R.E.N.

"Faces of Evanston" at Noyes

This evening a reception will be held for this year’s winning photos of the “Faces of Evanston” contest sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Evanston in collaboration with Evanston Now. At the Noyes Cultural Arts Center (927 Noyes St. Evanston, IL), the reception will run between the hours of 5:30pm-7:30pm and include wine and light refreshments. In addition, the event will feature a quartet by the Evanston Symphony as well as a silent auction.

Four years running, the “Faces of Evanston” photo contest has gathered much attention. Quoted in Evanston Now, Dr. Stamata Blanas who originated the contest says that he was “delighted with the number of entries this year. The enthusiasm of the photographers and the backdrop of Evanston’s beauty and excitement is evident in the entries.”

The prize winners are as follows:

1st Prize - $250 - Steve Dinelli and Andy Pakter
2nd Prize - $100 – Ryan Gac
3rd Prize - $50 - Hallie Redman
Special Judges Award - $50 – Kelly Sill
Honorable Mentions – Christopher Cameron, Jennifer Frankfurter, Jim Kozar, Joe Simchak, Lars Mothander, Micky Propadovich, Misti Henderson, Paul Whittaker, Ryan Gac and Suanne Rayner
Voice of the People Award - Lori Barrett

The Kiwanis Foundation awards over $33,000 annually to deserving Evanston organizations, focusing on the needs of children. The proceeds of this year’s brand new auction go to the foundation. Some of the donated items up for auction include restaurant certificates, 4 box seat tickets to a White Sox game as well as an autographed baseball from American League home run leader Carlos Quentin, a Kerry Wood autographed Cubs baseball, a wine tasting and instruction, a stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, tickets to the Evanston Symphony and Northwestern football.

The photographs will be on display for two weeks and will then move to First Bank & Trust, the McGaw YMCA and the Evanston Public Library. Please stop by the Noyes Cultural Arts Center to support!

-L.A.U.R.E.N.

Start Off Your Summer Right!

Come see Cordero on June 12th at James Park, a bilingual indie-rock band from Brooklyn, NY! Ani Cordero formed the band, named after her Puerto Rican family, in early 1999. Since then they have performed in major cities with all-stars like Neko Case and Bob Marley's the Wailers. 2006 was a big year for Cordero-- they made a record deal with the Chicago-based label Bloodshot Records and released their third studio album: "En Este Momento." You won't want to miss the concert in Evanston; Cordero is infamous for their HEATED live shows!

Husband of Ani Cordero and band drummer, Chris Verene, will be exhibiting his photography at the Noyes Gallery (1st floor, Noyes Cultural Arts Center) in conjunction with the performance. The photos that will be up at Noyes are from his "Galesburg" series. Come party with Cordero at the gallery opening on June 12th from 5-6:30pm and then head over to James Park for their performance after. We can't get enough of Cordero!

Listen to one of the tracks off of their 2006 album below, and watch out for their newest album to be released this Spring.

La Piedra (Mp3)