“Waterways” exhibition

Media Contact:
Natasha Ritsma
Director
Schingoethe Center of Aurora University
nritsma@aurora.edu
630-844-6157

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2024

The Schingoethe Center of Aurora University presents “Waterways,” an exhibition featuring the work of 40 artists exploring social, political, historical, environmental, and poetic responses to existing in proximity to bodies of fresh water

Images: Jeffrey A. Wolin, Jumping Over Waves, 1997. Jennifer Steensma Hoag, Contingent Existence #5. Art Sinsabaugh, Untitled, 1950. Katsushika Hokusai, The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, ca. 1830-32.

Aurora, Ill. – The Schingoethe Center of Aurora University presents “Waterways,” an original exhibition co-curated by Dr. Natasha Ritsma, director of the Schingoethe Center, and Doug Stapleton, art curator of the Illinois State Museum, from Tuesday, Aug. 27–Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. This interdisciplinary exhibition will showcase photographs, sculptures, prints, and installation pieces by more than 40 artists spanning over 150 years. “Waterways” incorporates the work of a diverse group of artists, including Rene Arceo, Sadiq Amarea Bey, Shepard Fairey, Katsushika Hokusai, Louise LeBougeoeois, Jin Lee, Chris Pappan, Yoonshin Park, Alison Ruttan, Art Sinsabaugh and Jeffrey Wolin.

The artists featured in “Waterways” were selected because of their extraordinary ability to share stories, information, and compelling ideas through their innovative work. This group exhibition addresses themes of water rights, water safety, pollution, and invasive species, as well as water’s ability to heal, nurture and regenerate. Works in this exhibition will showcase how water connects to all parts of our existence and how our relationship to waterways has shaped our past and is vital to our future.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Doug Stapleton and the Illinois State Museum on this dynamic partnership investigating artistic responses to the responsibility, challenges and pleasures of living near vital waterways,” said Ritsma. “This exhibition was inspired by the fact that the Schingoethe Center of Aurora University is located in the Fox River Valley between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. This exhibition aims to be both visually stunning and educational.”

Doug Stapleton stated, “Water is essential for our existence. It makes up most of our body. We can’t live without it. Yet, we treat it like a commodity, a resource to extract for our needs alone. We act without much regard toward our impact on this elemental, living substance. This exhibit brings disparate voices together, all who address the power of water to nourish, sustain and inspire us to a greater relationship with the natural world.”

The Schingoethe Center will host an opening reception for “Waterways” on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5–7 p.m. Join us for art, refreshments and micro talks by exhibiting artists.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Schingoethe Center will host Family Day from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Make lasting memories while enjoying crafts for all ages, live music, games, raffle prizes and snacks. Aurora University Museum Studies students will be providing micro tours for the public featuring key works from “Waterways.” Family Day is located in the Hill Welcome Center.

In addition, the Schingoethe Center will host three noon talks in September, October and November.

  • Join the exhibition curators, Natasha Ritsma and Doug Stapleton, on Thursday, Sept. 19, for a conversation about the select works of art on view.
  • On Thursday, Oct. 24, Dr. Jane Davis and representatives from the Conservation Foundation will discuss issues specifically related to the Fox Valley River area.
  • On Thursday, Nov. 7, artist Lindsay Olsen and Dick Lanyon, retired executive director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, will discuss the importance of wastewater management in our daily lives.

All talks will begin at noon in the Schingoethe Center.

The Schingoethe Center of Aurora University is located inside of the Hill Welcome Center at 1315 Prairie St., in Aurora, Illinois. The exhibition can be viewed Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. The center will also be open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit aurora.edu/museum.

“Waterways” features the work of the following artists: Sadiq Amarea-Bey, Robert Amft, Rene Arceo Atlan Arceo-Witzl, Frances Badger, Camille Billie, Jeremy Bolen, Clark Dean, Shepard Fairey, Laura Husar Garcia, Christina Haglid, Jennifer Steensma Hoag, Katsushika Hokusai, Yuichi Idaka, Jamie John, Esther Johnson, George Klauba, Louise LeBourgeois, Jin Lee, Nathan Lerner, Ben Mahmoud, Dolores Mercado, Fidel Moreno, Elsa Munoz, Bea Nettles, Lindsey Olson, Tom Palazzalo, Chris Pappan, Yoonshin Park, Erik Peterson, Alison Ruttan, Sarah Sense, Jennifer Shaw, Joel Sheesley, Art Sinsabaugh, Thomas Skomski, Eleanor Spiess-Ferris, Michael Strauss, Michael Tropea, Rain Wilson, David Windsor, Jeffrey Wolin, Ana Zanic

Images for this press release can be found here.