Springfield artists, Wendy Allen and William Crook, Jr., are holding a joint exhibit of their work on March 9-10, at 627 E. Adams, an impromptu gallery space. (Next to Recycled Records.)Â The show, entitled, âA Marriage of Spirit and Place,âť reflects their individual paths plus their combined intentions and interactions during their 26 years of marriage.Â
Wendy, a graduate of the fine arts program of Drake University, also holds a masterâ™s degree in counseling from the University of Iowa and has been a practicing art therapist in addition to her work as an artist. Focusing on spiritual subject matter, Wendy is showing a series of fabric assemblages, and icons and small altars from a variety of spiritual traditions. A series of 12 portraits of local individuals that she labels as âOff the Grid Angelsâť are also featured.
William, a Springfield native, is known for his pen and ink renderings of local street scenes and historical sites. He holds a masterâ™s degree in painting from Illinois State University and teaches at Lincoln College, Lincoln, Ill. He will be exhibiting prints, pen and ink drawings and watercolors, as well as a new series of larger acrylic paintings of cityscapes and a Sangamon River scene.
The March 9 opening reception will feature a gallery talk by Kent Smith. Poets John Knoepfle and John Malan will read works. Actor Ted Keylon will present a poem by Vachel Lindsay, and Meg Evans, Chery Miller and friends will perform an interpretive dance. Following the reception will be dance with sound by DJ Ms. Lisa. On Sunday the gallery will be open from 1-3 p.m.
