Des Plaines, Ill (Sept. 23, 2024) – Oakton College presents the 2024-25 fall calendar of Koehnline Museum of Art exhibits, highlighting exhibitions on gender dynamics, personal identity, and historical resilience. The season offers diverse, captivating works and is free and open to the public.
"Our fall season at the Koehnline Museum of Art offers a unique opportunity to explore diverse narratives and creative expressions," said Nathan Harpaz, Koehnline Museum of Art manager. "Each exhibition invites our community to reflect on the complexities of our world, from the gender dynamics of today to the resilience of artists during some of history's most challenging times. We hope these works inspire dialogue, understanding, and hope for the future."
Inflection Point: Gender Futures, Political Possibilities, Oct. 3 – Nov. 1, 2024
Public Reception: Oct. 10, 2024, 5 – 8 p.m.
The annual juried women’s exhibition presents selected works that illuminate life at the gender margins. This year, the College invited female-identifying, trans, and non-binary professional artists to submit a single work that provides social commentary on life at the gender margins. In response, Oakton received submissions from artists in the Chicago area as well as many national and international submissions.
Twenty-nine artists were selected. Their pieces delve into the complex landscape of gender and its intersections with socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, religious, ability-based and geographic identities. The exhibition explores both the challenges and the glimmers of joy found in our current moment, envisioning these experiences as seeds for imagining and creating better futures. It offers a powerful commentary on the duality of tragedy and hope in our world.
ID Show: Oakton Annual Art Faculty Exhibition, Nov. 7 – Dec. 6, 2024
Public Reception: Nov. 11, 2024, 5 – 8 p.m.
The show showcases the unique creative voices of Oakton's talented Art Department faculty. The exhibition will feature a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, photography, ceramics, and digital art, reflecting the diverse artistic practices and individual identities of Oakton’s faculty members.
Up to the Challenge: Art of the Great Depression and World War II, Dec. 19, 2024 – Feb. 7, 2025
Public Reception: Dec. 19, 2024, 5 – 8 p.m.
The exhibition features a compelling collection from the museum's permanent holdings. The show highlights the resilience and creativity of artists during a critical period in world history. Despite overwhelming adversity, the artists embraced themes of diversity, social justice, and the triumph of the human spirit. The exhibit will feature renowned artists including Edward Millman, Raymond Katz, Bernece Berkman, Todros Geller, David Bekker and many more. It also features historical artifacts from the "Century of Progress" World Fair Exposition (1933-34).
The Koehnline Museum of Art, located at Oakton's Des Plaines campus at 1600 E. Golf Road, is dedicated to celebrating the visual arts through dynamic exhibitions, collections and educational programs. As a cultural center for Oakton students, faculty, and the broader community, the museum offers a space for conversation, reflection and exploration. For more information please visit, Oakton’s website.
All exhibitions are free and open to the public