‘Material Affections: Explorations in Still Life’ at Giertz Gallery

Description

‘Material Affections: Explorations in Still Life’ at Giertz Gallery The Giertz Gallery at Parkland College will present "Material Affections: Explorations in Still Life" beginning Monday, November 16. The exhibition highlights the ongoing vitality of still life by presenting works that honor the genre’s traditions and showcase the diverse ways artists engage with it today. The artists include Christopher Cosnowski, Sara Jahn, Rachel Kalman, Georgie Miller, Michael Pleghaar, Carrie Mae Smith, Bella Wattles, and Gwendolyn Zabicki. The gallery will host a reception on Thursday, November 19, from 5:30–7 p.m., with a gallery talk at 6:15 p.m. Additional Artist Lectures to be announced. Guest curator Paula McCarty teaches painting and drawing at Parkland College and oversees exhibitions at the Springer Cultural Center. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from the University of Illinois and a Master of Fine Arts from California State University, Long Beach. Her work has been exhibited regionally and nationally. In 2026, she received the Illinois Arts Council Creative Accelerator Grant. She currently maintains an active studio practice in Champaign, Illinois. Material Affections features artists whose work engages with the genre of still life. The exhibition examines how artists use objects to explore perception, memory, beauty, identity, humor, materiality, and everyday experience. Whether carefully observed or imaginatively reconfigured, these objects become more than subjects to be depicted—they carry meaning and reflect how we see and inhabit the world. The Giertz Gallery serves as a platform for the exhibition of contemporary art, functioning as an educational resource that promotes critical thought and dialogue through the visual arts, while also acting as a cultural center for the community. Its serene campus location encourages meaningful engagement between the artwork and its viewers, facilitating a deeper understanding and appreciation of the arts. Parkland’s diverse programming, including workshops and lectures, allows participants to experience the artwork firsthand and engage with artists about their creative processes, career paths, and artistic journeys. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The gallery will be closed from November 26–29 for Thanksgiving break, December 14 to January 3 for winter break, and on January 18 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This exhibition will be open until Saturday, February 6, 2026. To find the gallery, use the M6 parking lot on the north corner of the Parkland College campus. Enter through door X-7, turn left, and follow the ramps uphill to the highest point of the first floor. The gallery windows overlook the outdoor fountain area. The Giertz Gallery acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. All events in the accessible gallery are free and open to the public. Parkland College is a Section 504/ADA-compliant institution. For accommodations, please call 217/353-2338 or email accessibilityservices@parkland.edu. Learn more about the exhibition at parkland.edu/gallery.