Opening Reception February 6, 6-9 PM
On Display for the entire month of February, 2015

Fiber, from wall hangings and sculptural objects, to photos gloriously enhanced with papers, to art as clothing is Gallery 200’s February Featured Artist. Come in and meet the area’s most talented and diverse makers of fiber art:

Jim Leonard presents his brilliant organic wall pieces. A humble man from West Chicago, he starts with lowly weeds, not infrequently laying hands on his wife’s blender and the family grill in the process. Jim, who began his “art of seeing through his photography and poetry,” creates paper collages from cattail leaves, flower petals and natural fibers, ground and grilled, as well as seeds, spices, and recycled paper. He often applies these fibers over the tops of his own photographs, leaving only small portions of the original photo exposed.

“Through these materials and the way I use them, I hope to achieve a sense of simplicity and humility.”

Jim, who worked in Africa for long years as a Bible Translator, practices contemplative prayer and hopes that the impact of these experiences can be seen his works.

Guest yarn artist Veronica Vann and her crew from West Chicago’s own Dream in Color will proudly display their works and their glorious yarns. Dream in Color is an amazing story. A nationally recognized producer of high quality yarn, it started from a dream and a desire to create yarns whose colors looked truly alive, yarns with colors that played and danced. And they do, and you will see them this month.

And last but far from least, resident artists, Kathy Steere and Sandy McLain will showcase wall pieces both quilted and woven, whimsical and serious.

Stop by for the opening reception on February 6 to meet the artists and enjoy refreshments.  The Many Faces of Fiber – Art in Textures will be on display at Gallery 200 for the entire month of February.