Sarah Series – Connie Gillock

Connie Gillock’s recent work – the Sarah Series – is an emphatic treatise to love, family and the continuity of life, bound in a fundamental conception of dignity.

Afro-Instrumentality – Allen Moore

Afro instrumentality DIY Visual and Auditory experience, highlighting social justice, symbols and signifiers of urban “black” culture through the perspective of Afro-futurism and Allen’s cathartic process. He wants to create an experience; a conversation about the consumption/integration of black culture in current popular culture and address issues of social justice.

Allen works as an educator, teaching Artist, experimental Sound Artist, curator and Mentor. Recently he has worked in Evanston as a youth worker/mentor for 2 and a half years and made a deep connections with 4th through 12th grade students.

Unraveling the Passage of Time – Elena Kaiser

“I have been an artist all my life, which now spans 61 years. My art led me to a Master of Art Therapy at The School of the Art Institute in 1986. There, I met and studied with Don Seiden, who became an important mentor – may his memory be a blessing. My current art works have been stirring in me as I aided both of my beloved parents along their final journey to the realm beyond. My father died August 8, 2018, and my mother followed on January 20, 2019. Now, absolute silence.
My midlife journey is now coming into focus. My three children are now young adults. For almost 30 years, I have put my painter self to the side in order to be their mother. Nursing, dressing, bathing, feeding, clothing, leading by example and failing to lead by example. Now, no one to take care of, no call of duty. Only a husband and psychotherapy practice to maintain. I see the passage of time unraveling. I return to my roots. I am quieting the inner critic who has kept me from going to my studio and am instead enjoying the sheer bliss of colors, textures, light, and my narrative that pokes through.
I love process painting, which is similar to what Open Studio Project promotes. Alone in my studio, each mark, stroke, and print defines the present moment. I am once again reminded of artists I fell in love with in my youth: Marc Chagall, Franz Marc, Sonia Delaunay, Alice Neel, Wassily Kandinsky, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and others. I also remember the artists who are and were my friends and teachers, Nancy Rosen, Michiko Itatani, and Don Seiden. I am inspired by everyone who makes the time to make their life’s marks.
Finally, I unpacked my Hot Box after an inspiring week at Oxbow this summer. My monotype printing on rice-paper rolls contains a visual narrative of my reflection on death. I felt as I worked that I was reliving the joys and sorrows of death’s mysteries. Until my parents’ passing, I had never experienced death up close. But I was summoned first by my father and then by my mother to do so. I dedicate this work to their memory in appreciation of their lifelong support. Sonnie and Gene, as they were known, supported my desire to study art as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, travel alone throughout Europe and Israel, and pursue a degree in Art Therapy at a time when everyone asked, “What’s art therapy?”
It is fulfilling to now live my life being mindful of what is inside me as an artist and an art therapist as I guide others big and small to love themselves and thus love life itself.”

Elena Kaiser

Connections: Learning to Dance –  Raissa Bailey

“An exploration of art to reflect the connection of body, mind and spirit

It has been said that when someone loses their sight, other senses like sound and smell can become heightened. These heightened senses help compensate for a limit in the other so the individual can still navigate successfully through the world. In some ways with even greater awareness. Similarly, when my physical body was jeopardized and limited, I found that my mind and spirit connections were heightened. As I was left mostly immobile for almost two years due to a bone infection in my foot, I used art to step outside my situation and explore the depth of my human experience and the connection of the mind, body and spirit.”

Raissa Bailey

VERITY – Nina Moyer

“I want to share my view of a world that can be continually defined and redefined. I am interested in the value of integrity and values in general- what we hold precious, and how these things define us. I build on the primacy of organic, grounding structures. The past five years my canvas has been bison skulls.” – Nina Moyer

​Transplanted – Bridget Stump

“I am passionate about the restorative powers of creative time and community.

“My artistic endeavors focus on journaling and photography.

“In 2017, I ‘transplanted’ to Evanston with my family. While moving brought challenges to our family, this time has shown each of us our strengths and brought us closer, with a lot of humor.  Time at the lake, appreciating the city’s architecture and public art are ways we connect with our new environment. I engage with the Open Studio Project, Northwestern University and Chicago School of Photography in my quest to develop my creativity and become more knowledgeable about our new hometown. Our transition to Chicagoland provides me with a bounty of opportunities to embrace the visual arts, for which I’m profoundly grateful.”- Bridget Stump

Challenging Conception, by the ART of Infertility

The ART of Infertility, a national arts organization and winner of The Hope Award for Innovation, hosted a two month-long art and storytelling exhibit at Open Studio Project’s Gallery 901. Challenging Conception: The ART of Infertility in Chicago, raised awareness about reproductive loss and infertility during October in response to Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Curt’s Cafe Art Show

With its partnership with Curt’s Cafe, OSP held an art show for the participants in May of 2018.

The Power of the Female Spirit, by Fran Joy

“The purpose behind my work is to show the power, strength, and triumph of the human spirit. As I witness the loss of life and humanity throughout the world, I am drawn to those who believe that the power of their faith and the strength of their spirit and character are what truly matters and will make a difference in their lives.  In my own spiritual journey, heavy losses have made each blessing more meaningful and relative to whom I have become.  In some images I have emphasized the eyes that are windows to the soul. I’m going for their essence more than their exact look. Some are powerful icons revealing the impact of their experiences, their fortitude and vision for the future. Other images are meant to convey a message that I hope will make one stop for at least a second to experience one’s own sense of humanity.”- Fran Joy

Peacemakers, by Ingrid Hess & Patti Vick

This gallery show featured artwork and writings from “We All Need Peace,” a recent exhibition from the Illinois Holocaust Museum, by Ingrid Hess and OSP Facilitator, Patti Vick. The Peacemakers event was to help advance and launch OSP’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum.