Northern Illinois University
Art Museum
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Exploring Synaptic Sparks Where Performance Arts and Woodblock Print Compositions Meet

A virtual presentation at the Northern Illinois University Art Museum titled, "Exploring Synaptic Sparks: Where Performance Arts and Woodblock Print Compositions Meet" by Helen Nagata, PhD, associate professor of art history in the NIU School of Art and Design. 

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River Weaving

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum hosted a virtual presentation on "River Weaving" an environmental art installation in the campus' section of the Kishwaukee River as part of events and activities for the university's 125th anniversary. The presentation was delivered by John Siblik, Associate Professor of Art in the NIU School of Art and Design who was the artist who designed and planned the art piece and worked with students on the installation.

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The Wandering Mind

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum presents the virtual presentation, "The Wandering Mind" by Michael Barnes, Presidential Professor, Head of Printmaking and Coordinator of Graduate Programs in the NIU School of Art and Design.

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Mindfulness Through Still Life Photography

Workshop for ages 12 to adult, inspired by her series “Almanac for Shade Gardeners,” NIU Associate Professor Jessica Labatte shared her studio and working methods before leading the participants in the creation of their own still life photographs using mindful attention as a strategic practice.

No fancy equipment required.

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The Unconventional Letter: How to Make Design Distinct in the Digital Era

Presentation by NIU Associate Professor of Visual Communications Aleksandra Giza on the powerful expressiveness of typography.

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Myanmar Women Artists and the Art of Protest

Presentation given by NIU Art History Professor and Director for the Center for Burma Studies, Catherine Raymond.

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Artwork for Healing and Focusing

An appreciative look at the art of Mathias Grunewald and Louie Schwartzberg by Art Museum Director Jo Burke.

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Arts-based Engagement and Communication Activities

Presentation on the NIU College of Health and Human Sciences arts-based work with stroke and dementia patients given by Jamie Mayer, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, associate professor, allied health/communicative disorders.

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A Look on the Bright Side: The Sunny Side of Art with Julie A. Mars

Artist talk and historic look at artworks inspired by the sun and cosmos with Julie A. Mars.

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Music for Self-Care and Healing

Jen Conley, board-certified music therapist and licensed professional counselor, will provide an overview of music therapy, share remarkable stories from her practice and provide suggestions on applying the healing powers of music in your own life.

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How to Spell USSA with Zachary Cahill

Artist talk about body of work developed around the artist’s invented country, USSA, a project he started in 2009 and continues to explore and develop.

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Reanimated Stories

Join us for a screening and panel discussion with video installation artists Richard Alvin Gessert, B. Lynch, Sarah Martin, and Jason Tannen from Storied References at NIU Art Museum. Viewing and discussion moderated by Randy Caspersen, Associate Professor Media Studies, Department of Communication at NIU.

Full videos from the artists on the panel

The Pressman Negatives

Grey Days

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Of Fantastic Stories, Freaks & Feminism: Beyond Gender Myths in Art

Join us for a panel discussion with artists Sarah Bielski, K. Johnson Bowles, Patricia Constantine, Rhonda Urdang and Lauren Woods from Storied Reference at NIU Art Museum. Conversation and discussion moderated by Kristen Myers, Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology at East Carolina University and Deputy Editor of Gender & Society.

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From the Mind of Ellen Roth Deutsch

Join Museum Director Jo Burke for Director's talk remembering the work of Ellen Roth Deutsch.

From the Mind of Ellen Roth Deutsch features Deutsch’s work from several decades in which she revisits various complex themes through symbolic characters and metaphorical imagery. Deutsch tackles experiences of sexual abuse, depression, illness and death through imagery that caricatures, digs in and dramatizes. Notable museums and galleries including the Newberry Library, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, State of Illinois Gallery in Chicago and the National Museum of Women in the Arts have exhibited Deutsch’s work.

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Hatched Stories Landis Blair Artist Talk

Join us for a virtual artist talk with author and illustrator Landis Blair.

Mirth and Mayhem: Landis Blair Selections of Drawings and Books contains illustrations from books by Landis Blair, whose stories contain elements of taboo, nihilism and whimsy. Blair’s black and white imagery evokes inspiration from Edward Gorey and often includes dark and absurd humor, lulling the reader through rhyming descriptions of vignette scenes. On view are illustrations from The Envious Siblings and Other Morbid Nursery Rhymes; The Progressive Problem and The Regressive Solution; A Toasted Passion; and Whetting Engines.

Art from Home Series: A Personal Collection

Peter Olson, Assistant Director and Curator of the Art Museum takes you on a journey of his own collection from home in these short video tours. View on the College of Visual and Performing Arts' Arts Blog or view the entire series playlist.