Join us for an evening celebrating the beauty of nature and art.
Landscape the Knowable Mystery Preview Reception
The Museum hosts a public reception to preview Landscape the Knowable Mystery, an art exhibit featuring landscape paintings by Joel Sheesley that emphasize the beauty of the Lincoln Marsh Natural Area of Wheaton. The event begins Wednesday, April 22 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., with program vignettes interspersed throughout. Project partners in music composition, environmental conservation, Christian mission, and natural science will contribute elements to accompany remarks from the artist.
The evening will feature, at one time together, more than 60 of Joel Sheesley's landscape paintings of Lincoln Marsh before they are exhibited at various community attractions and local businesses around the city of Wheaton. The artist will offer comments on his yearlong experience painting in the open air of the Lincoln Marsh and composing his written reflections for the accompanying exhibit catalog. This preview event will also include a core sample extracted from the Lincoln Marsh by geology students, an original composition for flute and recorded sounds from the Lincoln Marsh, as well as remarks from Brook McDonald, President and CEO of The Conservation Foundation. Food and beverages will be provided as well.
Landscape the Knowable Mystery is a collaborative cultural art partnership and presentation by artist Joel Sheesley, Wheaton College, and the Wheaton Park District.
A companion catalog titled Lincoln Marsh Journal chronicles the artist's 12-month journey and features sketches and essays by Mr. Sheesley. It is available at participating exhibit venues and at the BGC Bookstore.
This event is open to the public. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at lincolnmarsh.org. The citywide exhibit is on display from April 29 through June 22, 2015. Exhibit site maps, and interest sheets for buyers are available at each exhibit site.
Professor of Art Joel Sheesley earned his B.F.A. from Syracuse University and his M.F.A. from the University of Denver. His work has been exhibited widely, printed in books for decades, and on display regularly at Gescheidle in Chicago. He has served on faculty at Wheaton College since 1974, a recipient of many fellowships, grants, and awards. Mr. Sheesley publishes his writings extensively, addressing a variety of themes on the human person's connection to place and culture. See more at his website joelsheesley.com
Professor Emeritus of Music Composition Howard Whitaker was educated at the University of Colorado, the Aspen Music School, and the University of Chicago. In addition to teaching at Wheaton College, Dr. Whitaker is an active composer, with a catalog that includes children's music, chamber and orchestral, jazz, electronic, and church music. He has received grants, and commissions from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Calvin Institute, Millar Brass, the National Flute Association, and others. His choral works have been published by SMP, Flammer, Shawnee Press, and Augsburg. He is also active as a performer in jazz and free improvisation groups.
Flutist Jennie Brown has performed throughout the U.S., and in Japan, Canada, and Europe. She is also an active performer in the Chicago area and can be heard on Albany Records. Dr. Brown is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Northwestern University. As a faculty member at both Wheaton and Elmhurst Colleges, her greatest joy comes from her work with students. See more at her website jenniebrownflute.com
An exhibit designed from winners of the once-annual Sacred Arts juried competition, now a part of the BGC Museum collection.