MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND CALLIGRAPHY EXHIBITS

Artwork by Patrick Gregory, Steve Quiram, and Charles Pearce will be on exhibit at the Quincy Art Center May 29th through July 9th, 2010. An opening reception is planned for Saturday May, 29 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and the public is invited.

In the Elizabeth M. Sinnock Gallery there will be a collection of hand-carved painted birds and duck decoys by two Bloomington artists in River, Shore and Timber Birds, Patrick Gregory and Steve Quiram. This exhibit has been generously underwritten by Jack Freiburg Insurance Agency Inc. and Rex and Lori Schulz.

In its Katharine Gardner Stevenson Gallery, the Art Center features mixed media paintings in Charles Pearce, Calligrapher: Expressions of Shakespeare. These twenty-four works are based on plays by Shakespeare. Three additional paintings from other series will also be on view in the Art Center’s foyer. Generous exhibition sponsorship for this exhibition has been provided by Mobray and Sally Allan, Stan Bartley, M.D., Jim and Liza Hayashi, Bruce and Lori Kruse, Ridgely Pierson and Don and Jean Schweda. Accommodations have been provided by Stoney Creek Inn.

Julie Nelson will be giving the Art Center’s second informal program: “Take 2 with Julie”. This gallery walk and talk of both exhibits will be offered free to the public on Thursday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

On Wednesday, June 16th, Charles Pearce will give an informal walk and talk about the work in his exhibit at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday, June 17th, Patrick Gregory and Steve Quiram will give a gallery talk about their background and friendship at 7:00 p.m. followed by time for questions about their carving and painting techniques. There is no charge for these talks, but a free will offering is accepted for the artists’ talks.

Charles Pearce is a British calligrapher, painter, and designer living in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He is the only calligrapher that has been granted the status of Artist-in-Residence by the City of New York. The expressive works in the exhibit, many in bright colors have elaborately hand lettered phrases from Shakespearian plays. Some of the plays that are represented are: As You Like It, Hamlet, and King Lear.

Patrick Gregory is an award winning decoy artist, who also carves and paints fish, swans and geese. He was featured on ESPN. This delightful piece on his family history of decoy making and duck hunting can be accessed on the internet at http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?page=ducktrek_09_illinois.

Steve Quiram creates wood carved birds and is known for capturing realistic movements, forms, and colors of birds and wildlife.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to visit the exhibit during regular museum hours, Tuesday–Friday 12:00-4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1–4 p.m. There is an admission fee of $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for seniors, students, and children. There is no charge for members.

The exhibits are a part of the collaboration with the Adams County Association of Museums, an organization consisting of the Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design, the Quincy Museum, the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County and the Quincy Art Center. These programs have been supported in part by The Quincy Herald-Whig and WGEM TV-AM-FM-.COM and the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State. For additional information or to set up a tour contact Julie Nelson at 223-5900 or at jnelson@quincyartcenter.org.