Artists’ Alley | McKinley Foundation at the University of Illinois

Photo Exhibition Opening at Artists’ Alley

February 11, 2020 · by McKinley

Join us this Thursday for the opening of a new group exhibit!

How Dare You? Combating Climate Change Through Photography is an exhibition of photographs that were received as part of a community-wide competition inspired by Greta Thunberg and her remarks to the United Nations. The pieces, selected by members of Artists’ Alley and the McKinley Green Team, inspired the artists, and hopefully the viewers, to combat climate change.

Best in Show: *Roof Melting* by James McEnerney

Best in Show was awarded to James McEnerney and his photograph Roof Melting. About his entry McEnerney wrote, “In Iceland about 11 billion tons of glacial ice melt due to global warming every year. This image is from inside an ice cave formed by the melting Myrdalsjokull glacier in Iceland.”

First, second, and third place awards were awarded in each of four categories: People, Places, Nature, and Abract/Altered Images. Several photos were designated with an Honorable Mention citation.

Participating Artists: Aaron Short • Bonnie Hudson • Carol Livingstone • David Suttinger • Eileen Kohen • James McEnerney • Jenni Crum • Joan Brehm • Lily Kennedy • Linda Coleman • Miranda Johnson • Nathan Holder • Tricia Scott • Will Rajewski

Exhibition Opening: February 13, 4:30 to 6:00 PM
Exhibition Run: February 12 – March 13, 2020
On view at Artists’ Alley at 405 E. John Street
9 AM to 8 PM daily

Photo Contest: How Dare You?

January 14, 2020 · by McKinley

Combat Climate Change Through Photography

How Dare You? is a community-wide competition inspired by Greta Thunberg and her remarks to the United Nations (“How dare you?”).

We want to see what inspires you to combat climate change. Is it kids recycling? Community members picking up trash? A beautiful sunset? Plastic bags stuck in chain link fence? You get the idea. Be creative and get your camera (or smartphone) and start looking for your winning image! We are taking submissions until February 5, 2020. You may submit up to 6 entries.

Categories: People, Places, Nature, and Abract/Altered Images

PHOTO ENTRY: Submit photographs—in digital format only—to
artists-alley@mckinley-foundation.org no later than Wednesday, Feb. 5.

File type: JPEG
File resolution: 200 dpi minimum
A maximum of 6 entries may be submitted per artist
There should be no watermarks, dates, signatures, or copyright images on photos
Provide a title for each entry and indicate category

JUDGING

There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for each category
One “Best of Show” will be chosen from all the submissions
The winners will be announced on February 10, 2018 via email, and exhibited in Artists’ Alley from February 12 – March 13
A reception and award ceremony will be held on Thursday, February 13 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. in Artists’ Alley

EXHIBITION: Artists’ Alley will produce prints of all award-winning images to be part of the gallery exhibition. Award winners will be gifted these prints at the end of the exhibition. Winners must pick up prints in person or pay for shipping expenses. All eligible entries will be displayed in the gallery throughout the exhibition.

USE OF THE PHOTOS: Contest entrant must be the the owner of the copyright of each photograph submitted. Contest entrant grants permission to show photos in the gallery and to use photos in other electronic and print promotional materials.

New Group Exhibition at Artists’ Alley

August 21, 2019 · by McKinley

WATER + COLOR: AN EXHIBITION OF WORKS IN WATERCOLOR AND GOUACHE

Dedicated to the memory of Jamie Kruidenier

“Water + Color” is an exhibition of works in watercolor and gouache featuring local, water-medium artists. The pieces, selected by the artists, represent a wide range of subject matter and technique. Well-respected for their art, this group of artists has been featured individually in many exhibitions, juried competitions, and galleries. Uniting them for this show are their gratitude and affection for Jamie Kruidenier.

Jamie Stewart Kruidenier passed away on July 11, 2018, at the age of 63 after a nearly decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a lifelong educator and faculty member at Parkland Community College in Champaign, Illinois. Scores of children enjoyed her art classes through the “College for Kids” program. She studied watercolor with Don Lake for many years, later substitute teaching for him and, upon his retirement, became a popular, well-respected, and skilled teacher herself at the college. Kruidenier’s paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other works are displayed in private collections and galleries throughout the country.

To the exhibiting artists, Jamie was a dear friend and teacher. They are delighted to honor her memory through what first brought them all together, the art of “Water + Color.”

Participating Artists: Ann McDowell • Ann Rund • Anu Murphy • Barbara England • Birute Simaitis • Bonnie Switzer • Jenny Barrett • Jim Gallagher • Margaret Decardy • Martha Seif • Rebecca Renwick • Sandra Hynds • Sarah Wiseman

Exhibition Opening: September 4, 4:30 to 6:30 PM
Exhibition Run: September 4 — October 20, 2019
On view at Artists’ Alley at 405 E. John Street
9 AM to 8 PM daily

Boneyard 2019: Call for Artists

February 22, 2019 · by McKinley

Artist’s Alley, a secure gallery at the McKinley Foundation, 809 S. 5th on the UI campus, welcomes visual artists to display their work during the Boneyard Arts Festival this April.

The art should be a contemporary piece that relates to the gallery’s current social justice theme.

“Engage 4 Freedom” is a year-long rotating exhibit featuring works inspired by American artist Norman Rockwell’s paintings of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms (1941)—freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. This exhibit is inspired by our partnership with the For Freedoms Federation which uses art to encourage and deepen public explorations of freedom in the 21st century and to inject the anti-partisan, critical thinking that fine art requires into the political landscape through programming, exhibitions, and public artworks.

Applications must be submitted by March 15 and are available here on our website. Artwork must be ready to hang and delivered on March 28 or 29. For more information, contact Paula Hancock at 217-344-0297 or paula@mckinley-foundation.org.

Have You Visited Artists’ Alley Lately?

January 31, 2018 · by McKinley

The cold weather and your busy schedule may not permit you to wander some of our most beautiful state parks and their hidden treasures, but a quick trip to Artists’ Alley at Presby Hall will immerse you in Lori Fuller’s artistic interpretation of the same.

Our newest exhibit, Beyond the Landscape, features acrylic paintings and colored pencil drawings inspired by the natural landscape. This exhibit offers a detailed look at the textures, rhythms, and unique color palette found in nature and examines our interaction with our natural environment. Daily Illini reporter Tommy Block described the exhibit in his January 29 feature article:

“A pool of pristine water beams a reflection of trees up toward the sky, straddling the horizon. Jagged wrinkles along with a sheet of rock harness a feeling of wisdom. A splintering layer of wood creeps toward the forefront of a rugged landscape, dragging with it shadows of mystery and intrigue.”

Beyond the Landscape is on exhibit through March 15, 2018. Located at Presby Hall, 405 E. John Street, Artists’ Alley is open between 9 AM and 8 PM daily.

Browsing Category Artists’ Alley

Photo Exhibition Opening at Artists’ Alley

Join us this Thursday for the opening of a new group exhibit!

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Photo Contest: How Dare You?

Combat Climate Change Through Photography

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New Group Exhibition at Artists’ Alley

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Boneyard 2019: Call for Artists

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Have You Visited Artists’ Alley Lately?

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