Courtesy of Concordia University
Courtesy of Concordia University
Courtesy of Concordia University

COURTESY OF CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

River Forest, Illinois, September 11, 2014 –Ferguson Art Gallery at Concordia University Chicago presents the 150thAnniversary Invitational Faculty & Alumni Art Show through Sunday, October 12. A reception for the exhibit’s 26 artists will be held Saturday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

At noon, the reception will move to the University’s West Annex to unveil a new work commissioned in celebration of Concordia-Chicago’s 150th Anniversary. The university’s three art professors each contributed a piece to the triptych artwork, which comprises three panels combined to form a single installation. Contributing artists include Professor Deb (Schuppan) Herman (class of 1977) Professor BettyAnn Mocek and Associate Professor Nikkole Huss.

The 36-piece show features the work of artists from as early as the class of 1945 through the current decade. “As the University’s sesquicentennial approached, it was natural to call upon our celebrated art faculty and alumni to share their works,” said Mocek. “This collection is the first time we have hosted an installation of this nature. It is gratifying to see seven decades of faculty and student talent displayed side-by-side.”

The exhibit features a variety of mediums including ceramics, batik, watercolor and photography. Highlights include “The Making of Noah’s Ark,” an etching by Arthur Geisert, award-winning children’s book artist and author who served as Professor of Art at Concordia-Chicago in the 1960s. Pieces of interest are the contemporary “Gotta Love Duct Tape” (April Payton, class of 2011) of duct tape on canvas and the interactive “In Stereo Series #4” (Robert A. Dicke, class of 2004) of which guests wear 3-D glasses to experience the piece.

More than half of the exhibit’s artists live in the Chicago area. Professors Emeriti Darlene Fahrenkrog and Walt Martin (class of 1952), both well-known artists in the area, are exhibiting new works. The remaining participants reside in nine different states with one alumna sharing a piece from her studio in New South Wales, Australia. “Sequence 1” and “Sequence 2” features a video presentation by Dr. Flossie (Stumpf) Peitsch (class of 1974).

In addition, the show features two popular professors in memoriam—Distinguished Professor Emeritus Leonard Schoepp (class of 1955) and Professor Del Klaustermeier (class of 1972).

“It is a joy to celebrate former students who returned to share their love of the visual arts at their alma mater,” said Paige Craig, CUC’s Director of Alumni Relations. “I believe our students will be inspired by their predecessors and the Chicagoland community will gain energy and inspiration from this show.”

Participating artists include:

  • Jeff Carnehl 1981, MA 1998 – Palatine, IL
  • Robert A. Dicke 2004 – Berwyn, IL
  • Magdalene (Gorecki) Eisenberg MAT 2003 – Arlington Heights, IL       
  • Darlene (Crampton) Fahrenkrog, Professor Emerita of Art – Chicago, IL
  • Timothy Fote 2010 – Decatur, IL      
  • Katherine Gastler 2009 – Saint Louis, MO
  • Arthur Geisert, former Professor of Art – Bernard, IA
  • Diane (Schuppan) Guelzow 1976 – Hickory, NC
  • Sarah (Bossard) Gulseth  2010 – Forest Park, IL
  • Amanda (Berens) Hauser 2004 – Brookfield, IL
  • Jessica (Brockwell) Henn 2004 – Hicksville, NY     
  • Deb (Schuppan) Herman 1977 – Maywood, IL
  • Del Klaustermeier 1972, former Professor of Art (deceased)
  • Jeanne Ladewig-Goodman 1945 – Scottsdale, AZ
  • Walter Martin 1952, Professor Emeritus of Art – Elmhurst, IL
  • April Payton 2011 – Brookfield, IL      
  • Flossie (Stumpf) Peitsch 1974 – Mt Pleasant, New South Wales, Australia
  • Jocelyn (Otto) Polley 2009 – Prior Lake, MN
  • Mandy Rakow 2010 – West Chicago, IL
  • Richard Richter 1972, MA 1976 – River Forest, IL
  • Catherine (Kavanagh) Schlie 2005 – Berwyn, IL
  • Leonard Schoepp 1955, Professor Emeritus of Art (deceased)
  • Jennifer (Meier) Smith 2006 – Chicago, IL
  • Adel Y. (Stemen) Strauss 2008 – New Brunswick, NJ
  • John Sturmfels 1955 – Chaska, MN
  • Andrew Tirmenstein 2007 – Ann Arbor, MI       

The Ferguson Art Gallery is located in Kretzmann Hall at Concordia University Chicago, 7400 Augusta St., River Forest. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 708-209-3013 or visit cuchicago.edu/the_arts/visual_art/ferguson_gallery.

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