CHICAGO HEIGHTS—(ENEWSPF)—August 16, 2013. The Christopher Art Gallery at Prairie State College (PSC) is hosting the Photographer of the Year and 2013 Annual Student Exhibition from Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Sept. 19. An opening reception will be held Wednesday, Aug. 28 from noon to 2 p.m. in the gallery, located on the PSC main campus at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, photographs, and mixed media works that were produced by PSC students in the 2012- 2013 academic year.
Professor Paul Rinaldi, coordinator of fine arts, says the exhibit is intended to show a sample and provide a platform for some of the most accomplished work produced in the PSC studios and recognized by the art department faculty.
“Most of the students exhibiting here are just beginning their formal art studies at Prairie State, yet many of the works already demonstrate a commitment to self-discovery and technical professionalism,” he said.
“We applaud these students’ hard work and accomplishments, and, at the start of a new semester, we look forward to the next chapter in their creative explorations,” Rinaldi added.
Featured during the exhibit will be the work of this year’s Photographer of the Year, student Danielle (Alice) Jacobs, a resident of Olympia Fields.
Jacobs says a former teacher once told her that photography is painting with light.
“In my work I utilize natural light, unexpected angles, and negative space to “paint” a picture of life that most people don’t see. I use photography to transform an ordinary moment into an alluring image and reveal beauty in the mundane,” she said. “I am not afraid to get dirty, go out on a limb (both figuratively and literally), get off the beaten path, and leave my comfort zone. I enjoy using black and white film photography and experimental techniques in the darkroom to create images that are both natural and surreal,” she added.
The Photographer of the Year award is given annually to an outstanding PSC photography student. In addition to being the featured artist in the student show, Jacobs also will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
Additional PSC students who will have their work highlighted during the show include Amber Peoples and Lindsey Walker of Richton Park; Drew Young of Park Forest; Reginald Gale, Alyssa Matthews, and Miriam Meade of Chicago Heights; Axl Ramirez of Monee; Rebecca Martinez of Sauk Village; William Billingsley, Gwendolyn Desvignes, and James Saverson of Matteson; Calvin Green of Crete; and Denise Austin, Anthony Jobson, and Bill Moser of Homewood.
The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The gallery will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. Visits also can be made by appointment. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, call (708) 709-3636.
