NIU, DeKalb Area Women's Center
to host exhibit of Venezuelan art

Two exhibitions of Venezuelan art - impressive displays of contemporary works by Venezuela-born artists - soon will visit DeKalb.

The NIU Latino Center, home to the University Resources for Latinos and the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies, and the DeKalb Area Women's Center (DAWC) are hosting the shows, organized exclusively for the DeKalb sites.

The Venezuelan Consultate has orchestrated the display of this significant cultural exchange on the first anniversary of the group art show held at the DeKalb venue last spring. The work of Carlos Solis, of Colibri Gallery/Studio in Chicago, is on display at the Latino Center on NIU's campus, 515 Garden Road. Solis is a muralist and free-lance artist who studied graphic design at the College of DuPage.

The companion show by Montserrat Alsina is installed at the DAWC, 1021 State Street in DeKalb. Alsina, a printmaker, painter and performance artist, holds a master's degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

DAWC Gallery Director Anna Marie Coveny, Venezuelan Cultural Attache Alexis Leone and Alsina, were instrumental in arranging for the two solo exhibits. "Whisperings/Murmullos II" also will be on display in DeKalb from April 30 to May 30 through the generosity of Ana M. Gonzalez, the general consultate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Latino Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The DAWC gallery hours are from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays and by appointment.

The public is invited to a double opening reception to celebrate a "Day of Venezuelan Culture" from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Latino Center and from 5 to 7 p.m. at the DAWC. Admission is free. Venezuelan food and beverage will be available at Las Margaritas, 1262 W. Lincoln Hwy., where Balle Folklórico venezolano will perform at 7:30 p.m.

Visitors can arrange their own transportation between venues with parking on campus in the NIU Visitors Lot. The Latino Center has an accessible ramp on the north side of the building.

DAWC parking is available one-half block south of the building off 11th Street and south of the alley, between and parallel to State and Market streets. The accessible lift can be reached from the alley just north of the 1021 State Street building.

For further details on this event or to arrange a group showing, contact Anna Marie Coveny at 758-1351.

4-28-03