For Elena Lopez, it can be difficult to set time aside for her artwork. But a program through Indiana University Northwest gave her time, and the university has allowed her to display her work.
“I feel like it’s important for who we are in the education field of art to also demonstrate that we are capable, working, fine artists in whatever our specialization is,” said Lopez, an art teacher from Munster High School. “When I involve myself with the regional organizations or schools, and they have an opportunity to exhibit, then I try to get involved in those exhibitions.”
Indiana University Northwest on Monday opens its Biennial Regional Educator Exhibition, which highlights the artwork of local middle and high school educators across Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
The exhibition features participants from the university’s Educator In-Studio Residency and runs through Dec. 19. The work can be seen in the Savannah Gallery in the Savannah Center, 65 W. 33rd Street in Gary.
Lopez was one of four teachers who participated in the Educator In-Studio Residency from July to August. The program allowed her to work on painting, and the university told participants that they could participate in a future exhibition.
Erin McHugh, director of arts programming and engagement at IUN, said it’s important for the university to highlight local educators.
“It’s an important part of fostering a culture of art on our campus,” McHugh said. “The art teachers in the region are artists who choose to be educators and pass their knowledge down to the next generation of artists.”
The local university does an exhibition every two years, usually in the spring, but IUN shifted it to the fall semester this year. The show features 10 different educators and has 16 total pieces that vary in size.
To participate, educators must first apply for the show by submitting a piece that the exhibition committee reviews.
“Historically, it’s been a great way for us to give an opportunity for local artists to exhibit in our galleries,” McHugh said. “It’s also a great resource for us because we can assist our educators and give them a space to showcase their work. They can learn more about our art programs at IUN and let their students know what to expect.”
Lopez has participated in the exhibition at least three times in the last 10 years.
Jeremy Boyer, from Boone Grove elementary and middle schools, and Ian Vassar, from Griffith High School, are two art teachers who participated in the residency program and the exhibition.
Boyer is an alumnus of IUN, and this was his second year doing the residency. Boyer enjoyed it because in the summer, he could spend about four days each week working on his art.
“It was great to interact with not only other teachers but as well as the staff and faculty to get their input,” he said.
Boyer believes it’s important to have programs such as the residency and exhibition because it exposes area artists to people with similar interests. For the exhibition, he did five large-scale finger paintings with acrylic paint.
“I just hope (the exhibition) shows the importance of our educators and not only that we’re teaching these skills in the classroom, but it connects us to outside of school as well,” Boyer said.
Vassar believes Northwest Indiana doesn’t have “a ton of opportunities for shows,” and that people have to go into Chicago. He thinks the exhibition closes that gap and gives people more opportunities to see art.
“It’s showcasing that you don’t have to be in a big city to have an interest in art, that there are people that do this throughout their whole life,” Vassar said.
Vassar has multiple pieces in the show, including oil paintings and ceramic pieces. He thinks people will like the variety the show offers.
“A lot of people in Northwest Indiana don’t have the time to go to Chicago and visit the Art Institute or anything like that,” Vassar said. “It gives them an experience to interact with something that might not be as common around here, and they can see there’s a lot that can be explored with the variety of work that’s showcased in the show.”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
