"Battle Dress a Woman's View" Reception May 29 at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago

Leanna Henson Linn from MO, Laura Sellinger from FL, and Alyssa Savva from NY talking to a visitor.

Donna Perdue form IN and on the right Kristy L Herman from TX. My painting is in the photo on bottom.

The exhibit "Battle Dress a Woman's View' is designed to enlighten the public community to the complex views of women who serve in the United States Military.
This ground breaking exhibit was the brain child of Iraqi war veteran and artist Laura Sellinger.

Laura was given a camera by Kimo Williams of the Lt. Dan Band, and instructed to show the world her views. This is a personal project funded by the Independence Fund that has the potential to grow into an annual exhibit. Proceeds will go back to he Independence Fund to help other wounded veterans in need.

The exhibit that is now on view at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago through August 2010. After the Chicago exhibit "Battle Dress" will

move to the Charles Street Gallery in Beaufort, South Carolina, the home of Paris Island Marine Corps Training Center, and location for the filming of "Forrest Gump". The opening reception will be held on October 2. During the weekend reception severly disabled veterans from across the U. S. will ride in the Lt. Dan Ride culminating with a performance by Gary Senice and the Lt. Dan Band. This will be a weekend to remember and you can bet I will be there. I am so honored and humbled that my work has been chosen to exhibit with that of women veterans. Thank you.

Press for Battledress Exhibit in the Northwest Herald

Matt and His Portrait

Last Wednesday was a Vet Art Project "mini performance/ exhibit" at the Chicago Cultural Center. There were performances by some of the best actors in Chicago theater, as well as the Veterans whose stories they performed. I took along four of my "Portrait of American Veterans Project" oil paintings. As you can see by the photo Matt Ping was pleased with his portrait. I too was quite satisfied to find the likeness was how I intended. This was amazing!

More on Art Exhibitions and Gallery Spaces

Sage Gallery "Memories of an Era: Reflections of Our Time" November 2005

My first solo show in 1973 at an art festival in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.

I first exhibited my art work in 1973, and have continued finding venues, or creating new exhibition spaces throughout my life. I don’t see any point in waiting for someone to “discover my art” I have to create opportunities along the way. In the process doors have opened for other artists behind me. Creating a life in art and sharing with others, what could be better than that?

I have already posted a brief overview describing my experiences with exhibits in Chicago and the near suburban art galleries. These have been good opportunities that I’ve enjoyed immensely. But there are galleries worth noting in the northwest Chicago suburbs.

First and foremost are the Sage and Dole galleries located in the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake. My studio is in this historic and grand structure. I am blessed with the opportunity to work is an amazing space with ample natural light and 900 square feet and a double “slop sink” within the studio. This is definitely my kind of “heaven”.

The galleries are located one floor above my studio, so they are a convenient for the installation of my work. On the first floor there is also the lobby, and a long cavernous hallway available for visiting and resident artists to hang work. My paintings are always available for viewing and sale in the long hallway leading to my studio, on the garden level. I will show a collection of my oil paintings and drawings, in the lobby gallery during the month of August.

My largest body of work and first major solo exhibit “Memories of an Era; Reflections of Our Time” showed in the spacious Sage Gallery for two months in 2005. The response to my work was overwhelmingly positive and very welcome by the community. In 2008 I showed another large body of work in a solo exhibit “Pilgrimage and Passages” filling the Sage Gallery. The most celebrated painting in the collection “Slivers of Light” has garnered quite a lot of attention. Then in 2009 my groundbreaking exhibit “Portraits of American Veterans: A Visual Dialogue” exhibited with a collection of art works by Veterans from Chicago and Crystal Lake. The National Veterans Art Museum from Chicago exhibited a powerful collection of works by Veterans from around the U.S., in the Dole Gallery in conjunction with "Porrtraits of American Veterans".

Annually I have installed my work in the Sage Gallery marking progress in my art making practice. The staff and resident artists are always friendly and helpful, so I highly recommend the Sage and Dole Galleries; they are the best galleries in the North west Chicago suburbs. And please remember, my show “Portraits of American Veterans Project Exhibit II” be in November with the artist reception on Friday November 7 from 5:00- 7:30 PM. My work will be in the Sage Gallery and Veterans who create art are invited to exhibit in the Dole Gallery. The month of November is now Honouring America's Veterans month at the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park.

I also love to show in the Old Courthouse Art Center in Woodstock, this is a fantastic space that will be reviewed in the next installment, so please check back soon.

2010 Exhibition Schedule to date

July -September: Gallery Artists Group Show
Tall Grass Arts Association
367 Artists Walk, Forest Park, IL
Reception: TBA
(708) 748-3377


May–September
“Battledress: A Woman’s View” Traveling Exhibit
National Veterans Art Museum
1601 S. Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL
Reception: May 29 5:00-8:00 pm to honour Memorial Day


August 6 –September 27 26th Annual
Workshop for Contemporary Artists
Old Courthouse Art Center
101 N Johnson Street, Woodstock, IL
Reception: Saturday, August 22

October:
“Battle Dress: A Woman’s View” Traveling Exhibit
Charles Street Gallery
914 Charles St. Beaufort, S. C.
Reception:: October 2
In conjunction with The Lt. Dan Independence Ride
And Lt. Dan Band concert with Gary Senise and
sponsored by Kimo Williams the National Veterans Art Museum and the Independence Fund

October: Women’s Caucus for Art Invitational
Tom Robinson Studio Gallery,
2416 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL
Reception: TBA
In conjunction with Chicago Artists Month


November Second Annual
“Portrait of American Veterans Project Exhibit”
Sage Gallery Lakeside Legacy Arts Park
401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, IL
Reception : First Friday October 7, 5:00 pm –7:30

More shows to come, keep checking my blog for future listings.

My Experience with Chicago Art Galleries

The following post was originally written for my dear friend Patricia Tanner who is now curating exhibits in a new and "outside the box" gallery space. Follow my blog for more info on this new and exciting gallery.

The gallery scene in Chicago offers a wide selection of original artworks by local and international artists. In these hard economic times it’s important that small businesses, such as galleries be visitor friendly and of course artist friendly. To do otherwise seems counterintuitive. This brings me to the Chicago art gallery scene. Each of the galleries where I have exhibited has been a part of the vibrant art scene in the City.

I’ll start with my favorite of the galleries in which I’ve exhibited my work over the past 13 years. One of my all time favorite galleries closed last year. The Peter Jones Gallery was a vital epicenter of the art community in Chicago. Located in the Ravenswood community, Pete Jones maintained an open and friendly space where monthly rotating exhibits brought the best out in the artists and the art community. I exhibited my oil paintings with the Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art on a number of occasions and loved the ambience and large crowds attracted to the receptions.

Another Chicago gallery where I have exhibited is on North Avenue, the Tom Robinson Studio and Gallery. Tom hosted the Ethereal Fauna show this past October as part of the Chicago Artists Month. The location is easy to find with ample free parking, and within walking distance of the EL. There are a number of good restaurants on North and Damen avenues, so you can enjoy a nice meal along with visiting the gallery. The space is bright and clean with hardwood floors and plenty of natural light. You also have several other small galleries along North Avenue and the Flat Iron Arts Building is just down the street from the Tom Robinson Gallery. Tom is an artist, and a friendly, gracious host..

Other galleries on my resume include the non profit artist run ARC. I have always found that exhibiting at ARC to be a pleasure. The opening receptions and large crowds that are attracted to the openings bring fun and excitement to the exhibition. I would include WomanMade with the caliber of gallery and high quality art that ARC represents. Director and founder Beate Minkovski takes care of the artists, the art and all visitors who enter her Milwaukee Avenue gallery.

Zhou B is a huge and exciting gallery, a bit rustic and rough with so much character that it can only add to the art viewing experience. The Flat Iron Arts Building I mention above is home to a small lovely gallery, the Accidental Gallery and plentiful exhibition space in the commons areas. This is a treat for those looking for a friendly, trendy art scene. Gallery on Lake is also a good, roomy space with friendly and helpful staff. I must also mention the Hothouse gallery which unfortunately succumbed to hard economic times. Hothouse was an exciting and happening venue with live jazz and exemplary exhibitions.

In addition to “city” galleries I have exhibited my work in several near suburban spaces that have I found wonderful experiences for exposure. The University of Illinois School of Public Health Gallery, Chicago Athenaeum, Koehnline Museum of Art Oakton Community College, and Prairie State College, Aurora Public Arts Commission Gallery, Barrington Area Arts Council Gallery and the Lake County Museum.

And finally, my favorite of all exhibition spaces in Chicago is the National Veterans Art Museum. Although not officially a “gallery” the NVAM collects, archives and exhibits the most powerful, meaningful and vibrant art that you will find anywhere. I highly recommend that anyone visiting Chicago visit the NVAM on South Indiana Avenue. My largest body of work “Memories of an Era, Reflections of Our Time” exhibited for a year in the spacious second floor gallery and is now on temporary loan to the Museum and available for traveling exhibitions.

A final word, I am always looking for new exhibition opportunities, please contact me if you are interested in exhibiting my work.

Artist Talk at Lake Bluff Park District for Lake Bluff Art League

Artist Talk:
Monday May 3, 2010
7:00 p. m.
Lake Bluff Park District
355 W. Washington Ave
Lake Bluff, IL 60044

Join artist JEANINE HILL-SOLDNER
as she shares with you her painting process and oral history project that is the foundation for the “Portraits of American Veterans Project” that she began in August 2009 and exhibited in November 2009 in the Sage Gallery in Crystal Lake, and will exhibit again in November 2010 in the Sage Gallery when she plans to exhibit 20 new portraits with the veteran’s stories..

Info: 847-668-1503 (Sandie)