NU’s Scientific Image Winners @ EPL

The twelve stunning winners of Northwestern University’s 2016 Scientific Images Contest are making their annual EPL stop as they tour Chicagoland.  Selected by a panel of artists, scientists, and community leaders, the eye-popping images were captured during wide-ranging scientific research and “invite you to enjoy both the aesthetics and innovation of NU Science.”  As a bonus, this year’s exhibit also features artwork by ETHS students inspired by NU’s research-based images.  Prints of the NU images are available for purchase, and you can catch the show at the library through January 15.  You can also learn more about the contest by visiting HELIX – an online magazine produced by NU’s Science in Society.

Local Art @ EPL: Anthony Stetina

We are pleased to welcome Vietnam veteran and Chicagoland photographer Anthony Stetina as the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  His show is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through the end of December.  Featuring photos taken in 1967 during “non-stressful situations” in South Vietnam’s Central Highlands, the exhibit superimposes black-and-white images of military equipment and Stetina’s Army buddies with snapshots of Vietnam’s people and landscape.  Thought-provoking, moving, and sometimes haunting, Stetina’s exhibit is not to be missed.

Local Art @ EPL: Michael Loewenstein

“Keithberg In The Rain”

We are happy to welcome Evanston painter Michael Loewenstein as the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  For forty years he was the Scenic Art Director for WTTW Channel 11 where he designed many PBS favorites including Siskel and Ebert, Kukla Fran and Ollie, Chicago Tonight, and Soundstage.  After his retirement he began to pursue his interest in fine art, and now his exhibit Life After Siskel and Ebert is on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library through November 30th.  Presenting a striking selection of his oils and watercolors, Loewenstein’s exhibit shows his preference for “content as opposed to technique” while exploring his “particular interest in light and perspective.”  Don’t miss it!

An Interview with Lloyd Davidson

Lloyd Davidson is an Evanston photographer who made his Local Art @ EPL debut back in 2015.  Now the retired NU Life Sciences Librarian has returned with a fresh collection of breathtaking nature photography captured everywhere from New Zealand to the American Southwest to James Park.  You can catch this inspired show on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library through the end of September, and you can view more of Dr. Davidson’s work by visiting his online gallery.  Recently we spoke with him via email about his artistic inspirations including Kafka, Picasso, and Edward Weston, his three simple rules for capturing the perfect shot, the Louis Pasteur quote that is his motto, and the rich Evanston art scene.

An Interview with Patrick Shiplett

Patrick Shiplett is an Evanston artist who is the latest to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  A cartoonist whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, NY Times, and Washington Post, Shiplett’s exhibit features nearly three dozen cartoons he presented to the New Yorker’s editorial staff before they explained “there was no room for a cartoonist [his] age in their lineup.”  Titled Too Old for the New Yorker, Shiplett’s cartoon collection is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through August 31st along with selected writing from his blog.  You can find more of his cartoons and writing by visiting his website, and we recently spoke with him via email about his artistic origins, pitch meetings at the New Yorker, advice for aspiring cartoonists, and his blog.

Local Art @ EPL: Patrick Shiplett

We are excited to welcome Evanston artist Patrick Shiplett as the next to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  A cartoonist whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, NY Times, and Washington Post, Shiplett’s exhibit features nearly three dozen cartoons he presented to the New Yorker’s editorial staff before they explained “there was no room for a cartoonist [his] age in their lineup.”  Titled Too Old for the New Yorker, Shiplett’s cartoon collection is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through August 31st along with selected writing from his blog.  You can find more of his cartoons and writing by visiting his website, and you can learn more about his work at a reception on Thursday, August 4 at 5 pm.  Also, make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in the month for a featured interview with the artist himself.  Stay tuned.

An Interview with Donna Wesley Spencer

Donna Wesley Spencer is an Evanston photographer, founding member of Perspective Gallery, and the latest artist to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Her exhibit Inside the Frances Willard House is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through July 30th.  Featuring sixteen gorgeous interior shots of Willard’s home at 1730 Chicago Avenue, the exhibit celebrates one of Evanston’s greatest historical treasures and serves as a visual appetizer for the grand reopening of the Francis Willard House Museum in September 2016.  You can learn more about Spencer’s work by visiting her website, and we recently spoke with her via email about her artistic origins, falling in love with the Willard House, and what’s new at Perspective Gallery.

Local Art @ EPL: Donna Wesley Spencer

Donna Wesley Spencer is an Evanston photographer, founding member of Perspective Gallery, and the next featured artist in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  Her exhibit Inside the Frances Willard House is currently on display on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library where you can catch it through July 31st.  Featuring sixteen gorgeous interior shots of Willard’s home at 1730 Chicago Avenue, the exhibit celebrates one of Evanston’s greatest historical treasures and serves as a visual appetizer for the grand reopening of the Francis Willard House Museum in September 2016.  You can learn more about Spencer’s work by visiting her website, and make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in July for a featured interview with the artist herself.  Stay tuned.

Local Art @ EPL: Barbara Freeman

We are very pleased to welcome Barbara Freeman back to the library for a brand-new Local Art @ EPL exhibit.  After debuting with 2010’s Road Light and following up with 2012’s smalltown: faith, flags, & firearms, the Evanston photographer and filmmaker has returned with All Dressed in White – a series of “color photographs that explore the gap between wedding day myths and traditions and the much-more-interesting reality… of two people trying to create a union.”  You can catch this inspired show on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library through the end of June, and don’t forget to stop by this Saturday, June 4 when it’s included as part of the 2016 Evanston Made gallery tour.  Also, make sure to check back with Off the Shelf later in the month for a featured interview with the artist herself.  Stay tuned.

Local Art @ EPL: The Big Read

Dozens of talented student artists from District 65 middle schools Chute and Nichols are the next to be featured in our ongoing exhibition series Local Art @ EPL.  From now until May 31st, you can find over 50 original student works on the 2nd floor of EPL’s Main Library.  Inspired by the Evanston Big Read companion book Yes! We Are Latinos by Alma Flor Ada, this impressive exhibit showcases artwork and writing focused on the students’ family roots and history.  Don’t miss it, and while you plan your visit, you can preview the show below.  Enjoy!