An Interview with Kyle Van Heck

January 30, 2014

kyleKyle Van Heck is a Chicagoland collage artist who is currently featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Using oils, spray paint, old books, electrical wire, children’s toys, and old newspaper culled from EPL’s recycling bin, Van Heck creates stunning collages that shape “small pieces of pop culture” into unified works with something to say.  Ten of his thought-provoking collages will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library through the end of January, and after that, you can see more of his work by visiting his website.  We recently spoke with Mr. Van Heck via email about his artistic origins, “collage with a dark side,” public art, and Chicagoland’s DIY attitude.
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Local Art @ EPL

January 10, 2014

KyleVanHeck38We are pleased to introduce Chicagoland collage artist Kyle Van Heck as the next to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Throughout January, ten of his thought-provoking works will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library.  Created using oils, spray paint, old books, electrical wire, children’s toys, and old newspaper culled from EPL’s recycling bin, his stunning collages shape “small pieces of pop culture” into unified works with something to say.  You can learn more about Mr. Van Heck’s artwork by visiting his website, and make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in the month for an interview with the artist himself.  Stay tuned.


An Interview with Manvee Vaid

December 13, 2013

Manvee - Dancers

Manvee Vaid is a Chicagoland artist and the curator of the newest exhibit in our ongoing Local Art @ EPL series.  Comprised of over three dozen stunning samples of contemporary Indian folk art, her exhibit features works from the Madhubani, Gond, Warli, and Bengal regions of India done in acrylics, ink, vegetable colors, red mud, charcoal, and gouache.  You can catch her show on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library throughout December, and you can preview additional works by visiting her online gallery Deccan Footprints.  What’s more, you can meet Ms. Vaid in person on Saturday, December 14th at 4 p.m. when she visits our Community Meeting Room to discuss the creative processes behind various exhibited pieces.  In anticipation of her visit, we recently spoke with Ms. Vaid via email about her artistic origins and inspirations, the distinct regional styles of Indian folk art, and her upcoming collaboration with Now Art India.

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Local Art @ EPL

December 6, 2013

Manvee - Tigers

We are happy to announce an exciting new exhibit in our ongoing Local Art @ EPL series.  Throughout December, we’re proudly featuring over three dozen stunning samples of contemporary folk art from India right here on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library.  Curated by Chicagoland artist Manvee Vaid, the exhibit features works from the Madhubani, Gond, Warli, and Bengal Scroll regions of India done in acrylics, ink, vegetable colors, red mud, charcoal, and gouache.  You can learn more by visiting Ms. Vaid’s online gallery Deccan Footprints, and you can hear Ms. Vaid discuss the creative processes behind various pieces on December 14th at 4 pm in our Community Meeting Room.  Also, make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later next week for an interview with the artist herself.  Stay tuned.


An Interview with Marc Perlish

November 27, 2013

perlish

Marc Perlish is an Evanston photographer and the latest artist to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  His striking new collection is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where it pays “poetic homage to Bookman’s Alley and the bookstore’s imaginative creator Roger Carlson.”  You can catch his Bookman’s Alley series through the end of November, and after that, you can learn more about Mr. Perlish’s work by visiting his website.  We recently spoke with Mr. Perlish via email about the magic of Bookman’s Alley, his creative process, and his future artistic projects.

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Talking "Compulsion" with the Next Theatre Company

November 9, 2013

compulsionEvanston’s very own Next Theatre Company isn’t afraid to challenge its audience.  For nearly 35 years the company has remained committed to producing “socially provocative, artistically adventurous work,” and this season’s staging of Rinne Groff’s Compulsion stays true to that mission.  Based on the true story of Meyer Levin and his obsession with Anne Frank’s diary, the complex tale explores the fictional Sid Silver’s passionate fixation on Anne’s story as he attempts to honor her legacy.  You can catch Compulsion through November 17th at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, and EPL cardholders can purchase 2-for-1 tickets using the promotional code FRANK.  We recently spoke via email with Next’s artistic director Jenny Avery about Compulsion’s critical reception, the history behind the play, puppetry, and the company’s future plans.

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Local Art @ EPL

November 7, 2013

perlish

We are pleased to introduce Evanston photographer Marc Perlish as the next artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Throughout November, his striking new collection will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where it pays “poetic homage to Bookman’s Alley and the bookstore’s imaginative creator Roger Carlson.”  You can preview Mr. Perlish’s work by visiting his website, and make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in the month for an interview with the artist himself. Stay tuned.


An Interview with Sarah Hahne

September 22, 2013

gravity
“Gravity” by Sarah Hahne

Sarah Hahne is a local printmaker, painter, and the latest artist to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Her show – titled A New Practice – is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library and reuses carpet tread, plastic, and even window screens to create quilt-like works that explore our “conflicted relationship… with our environment and the resulting disconnect with our core selves.”  You can catch A New Practice through the end of September, and after that, you can learn more about Ms. Hahne’s work by visiting her website.  We recently spoke with Ms. Hahne via email about her “first language,” her creative process, Woman Made Gallery, and public art.

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Local Art @ EPL

September 8, 2013

sarah hahneWe are thrilled to introduce painter and printmaker Sarah Hahne as the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Throughout September, her exceptional collection A New Practice will be on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library.  Based on her “personal geometry” of flat pattern and texture, Hahne reuses carpet tread, plastic, and even window screens in quilt-like works that explore our “conflicted relationship… with our environment and the resulting disconnect with our core selves.”  You can learn more about Ms. Hahne’s art by visiting her website, and make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in the month for an interview with the artist herself.  Stay tuned.


An Interview with Vincent Brent

August 15, 2013

brent2Vincent Brent is a local painter who was recently featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  His latest collection was on display at EPL’s Main Library throughout July and represented a departure from his typical vibrant colors as he experimented with black and white oils.  If you missed his show, however, don’t fret.  You can view more of Mr. Brent’s work by visiting his website, and he recently spoke with us via email about his artistic awakening following a kite flying contest, his creative process, and art’s unique power to heal.

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