Collage Class
“Trash For Treasures”
Saturday, April 9
Collage Class for Children from 10:00- 12:00;
Collage Class for Adults (17 and above) from 1:00-3:00.
Both classes will be offered at a $5 fee, including materials,
but you must pre-register by Thursday, April 7.
Please call 815-875-2787
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Jeanne O’Melia has studied art at Iowa State University and Augustana College, Rock Island, IL and The Clearing, Door County, WI. Traveling extensively throughout the world, she makes line drawings in ink or paints in watercolor on location. Her drawings from travels and at home are the inspiration for cyanotype prints, acrylic paintings and found-object sculptures “I employ a variety of media to express my feelings and reactions to the world we live in.”
“I have been drawn to depicting the human figure since I first learned to draw. People come in all shapes and sizes and are fascinating to watch. Watercolor was the first medium I used. I still take my watercolors, paper and a sketch book with me on trips, even biking or kayaking.”
About 20 years ago O’Melia began making sculptural figures from found objects, brazing metals together. Growing up on a farm near Princeton, IL, she knew about welding. Most metal scraps were found during bicycle tours. “I’ve added dumpster diving to gather a wider range of found objects. Gradually I have used other materials--plastic, paper, and even cigarette butts. A variety of adhesives are used to hold the pieces together including JB Weld and Gel Medium.”
“I have been creating large papier-mâché heads for years. They get burned with their clothed, firecracker filled bodies each New Year’s Eve at midnight. It makes a great celebration. Many ethnic groups have used papier mâché in art and for festivals, and I’ve always been fascinated by them.”
O’Melia has taught art as part of the Illinois Arts in Education Artist Roster program. In Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica and San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, she volunteered to work with children creating art from found objects. “Being up to my elbows in papier mâché paste with a group of first graders is really fun for me.”
Her work has been exhibited in the Quad Cities and other venues throughout Illinois and in Cook, MN. She also exhibited in Montreal and Atikokan, Quebec and won first place in Friends of Quetico Provincial Park art show. She was a delegate on a “Friendship through the Arts” Tour in China. “
“Art for me is an avenue through which I can bloom. Growing up on a farm, I have always loved nature and her bloomings. Experiencing nature, being a part of it, caring for it anchors me in the stream of life. For me, art is like breath itself.”
This exhibit contains my latest watercolors and acrylic paintings and collages. There are also sculptures created within the in the last five years. I really like trying new art forms. I have been doing a few abstract works inspired by music. There are always several art works going in my studio at one time. I am never bored. I enjoy creating for special exhibits with a theme. There is always some new challenge ready for me to tackle. It makes my world go round.