In the Gallery

Works on Paper

Robert Johnson

Exhibition Dates: January 13-30, 2026

Artist Reception: Friday, January 16 // 5-8pm

Live music | The Pappas Jazz Trio

About the show: 

Art is a journey, not a destination. Each work completed or even attempted is a step along the path. The same could be said of life. There is no destination just the endless variety of steps and missteps, side roads and impasses that make us who we are. I feel fortunate to have combined the two. My art is in many ways an illustration of my life. My likes and dislikes, joys and sadness, hopes and fears and all things that make me who I am will appear in my work. My style is subtle and changes with the mood of the piece I’m working on. I enjoy exploring ideas and feelings, as well as techniques and media.

 

I was born in 1956 and I’ve been an artist from the first time I picked up a pencil. Grade school through college and on forward, art has been a constant in my life. After my 1978 graduation with honors from Western Illinois University I was hired by the Geology Department as curator for the Museum of Geology at the same University. Until my retirement in 2017, I used my skills to create Museum displays and murals. I also taught summer art classes for gifted grade school students.

In addition I taught Airbrush Illustration for Western’s Art Department for nearly a decade. I remained active producing my own art, and assisted my colleagues and students in the Geology Department with illustrations and graphics for scientific papers and presentations. After retirement I have shifted my energies to creating my own art and taking a more active roll in the local arts community.

My current efforts are concentrated on working in pastels and drawing. I am the current President of the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society. I continue to share my skills by teaching art classes for community art centers.


Up Next:

Our Wonderful World in Wool

Susan Cunningham

Exhibition Dates: February 3-28, 2026

Artist Reception: Friday, February 6 // 5-8pm

Live music | Lojo Russo

I am an artist drawn to nature, travel, and the simple joy of making things by hand. In 2018, while traveling, I stumbled upon needle-felting by chance—distracted from my search for sock yarn by a tiny felted penguin. That small, unexpected encounter changed the course of my creative practice. I bought wool and needles, taught myself the technique, and was immediately captivated.

Needle-felting engages all my senses: the softness of the wool between my fingers, the quiet crunch as barbed needles intertwine fibers, and the steady, meditative rhythm that brings a sense of calm amid the noise of everyday life. The process itself is as meaningful to me as the finished work.

In Our Wonderful World in Wool, I seek to translate moments of wonder from the natural world into fiber—delicate flowers, butterflies, and birds, the quiet peace of a woodland path, the energy of water spilling over cliffs or crashing against stone, and the renewed hope and tranquility found in sunrise and sunset, marking another beautiful day. Through this exhibition, I invite viewers to slow down and experience a bit of the awe, peace, and joy that inspire my work.


Mini Gallery

A smaller, more intimate extension of our Main Gallery showcasing local, emerging artists.

January 2026

Private Collection

Show + Sale


Up Next:

In the Mini Gallery

Anthony Franklin


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Friday/Saturday: 10am - 4pm

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