According to Jo Mortland, the administrator who handles all art displays in the library, there have never been any themes for the yearly displays. Instead, the women are given free reign to submit what they like, and all works are accepted.
“This is a way to honor NEIU women who are artists,” says Mortland. The displays go up at the beginning of March, which is women’s history month, and stay up for approximately three or four weeks. The only requirement for being exhibited is being somehow connected to NEIU, either as a current student, alumni, staff or faculty member. This year’s exhibited pieces are unique from each other and from pieces that have been exhibited in the past. A freeform painting by Christina Joe from the history department is done almost entirely in blue, yet it has such a variance in depth and coolness that it would be failing the painter to simply say it is a blue painting.
Another beautiful painting is the “Geisha Clown” by Marge Blair, who also painted the “Mad as a Hatter?” piece, which is on the flier advertising the Women Artists Exhibit. Both paintings are exceptionally well done and realistic, full of bright exciting colors.
Paintings are not the only things on display though. There is a large variety of works including etchings, drawings, quilts, knitted or crocheted items, as well as beadings, ceramics, jewelry, and photographs.
There is also an exhibit dedicated to the late Effie Mihopoulos who, apart from her involvement with WZRD, was a poet in her own right. The exhibit includes samples of her works, as well as photographs of her. The Women Artists Exhibit along with the Effie Mihopoulos tribute are open to all viewers on the first floor of the NEIU library. The exhibits can be found directly across from the elevators and continued in the seating area nearby. Anyone with questions about the exhibit is encouraged to contact Jo Mortland at extension 4460.