Community Calendar

The Freeport Art Museum presents "Into the Mystic," works by James Mahu, Aug. 18-Oct. 14.

James Mahu has cemented himself as a master of modern myth-making with his WingMakers mythos, which has been translated into numerous languages and captivated audiences worldwide with its otherworldly vision. But Mahu's latest undertaking is his most ambitious yet: the Movement of Consciousness and Interconnectedness. This quest aims to explore the boundaries of human awareness and challenge our understanding of existence itself.

As a transmedia artist-philosopher, Mahu skillfully weaves together music, poetry, philosophy, and visual art to create a tapestry of thought-provoking ideas. At the core of his work is the enigmatic concept of the Sovereign Integral, a notion that has eluded both science and spirituality.

Into the Mystic, an exhibition of Mahu's latest works, will showcase his original paintings, music, and writings, all seamlessly integrated to create an immersive experience that will leave visitors pondering the mysteries within themselves.

The Rockford Art Museum presents the exhibit "Ken Hoffman: 10 More And Bigger" May 19- Oct. 15.

As an Illinois artist for more than 50 years, Hoffman is perhaps best known for his humorous and colorfully painted and collaged portraits of humanlike animals. But upon closer inspection, some of the animal figures begin to break away from whimsy and draw us into more psychological narratives ranging from socio-political topics to cultural and interpersonal relationships. In many instances, both in his small and large-scale animal figures and his expressive murals, Ken may also use words, collage and found objects that draw the viewer in for a closer look.

The tie that binds his many decades of production together, whether it be his animal figures or other subjects, is the power and energy created by his application of paint, line and color. With such a long history of an incredibly productive creative process, it is well deserved that Hoffman has been hailed as one of the Midwest’s premier expressionist painters.

The exhibition is sponsored by Amy Towne and Scott Snyder. Snyder, a former curator at RAM and former student of Ken Hoffman, is the guest curator of the exhibition.

The NIU Art Museum presents two exhibitions, "Dialogue" and "The Remaining, Mourn..." Aug. 29-Oct. 14:

"Dialogue"
South Gallery

The concept of dialogue allows for issue awareness and resolution through listening. Its goal is understanding. The artists whose work is displayed in this exhibition have worked on lens-based projects that have grown and developed organically over the years.

This exhibition will feature selections from "Lines of Authority" by Alan Cohen, "Black Box" by Michael Coppage and "The Folded Map Project" by Tonika Lewis Johnson.

These artists have taken on big complex tasks and concepts and attempted to deal with them simply. It is the hope that their art projects can reach beyond a single look or conversation into an ongoing dialogue from which empathy, understanding and enlightenment can grow. The concerns of these artists are the concerns of a people, a city, a nation, the world.

Curated by Jo Burke.

The Remaining, Mourn…
North and Rotunda Galleries

"The Remaining, Mourn…" is a group exhibition addressing the experience of grieving as seen through the lens of nine artists’ practices. Through tactile artworks, they address both individual and collective loss. Holding materials as one would onto someone lost, these artists use various techniques to freeze a moment, allowing themselves time to process what remains as well as what is gone. Their materials, and the memories and emotions they evoke, become the "language" the artist use to create their own rituals to navigate grief/mourning and work toward healing.

The artists featured in this exhibition include Selva Aparicio, Michael Chambers, April Dauscha, Salvador Jiménez-Flores, Millicent Kennedy, Allen Moore, Monika Plioplyte, Nirmal Raja and Anne Wilson.

Cumulatively, these works and the stories they tell remind us that we—from family to community to civilization—are united by our vulnerability.

Curated by Michael Chambers and Millicent Kennedy.

Learn how 3D printing and technology are used in the fashion industry.

Speakers: Jamie Obermeier, Associate Professor, and April Startzel, Graduate Research Assistant, NIU School of Art and Design

What are Teen STEM Cafés?

Designed for middle and high school students and their families.
Engaging speakers and fun hands-on activities connect science, technology, engineering and math concepts to current events.
Meet fellow teens who share your interest in science and technology.
Enjoy free pizza provided by NIU STEAM, with support from HyVee and the DeKalb Public Library.
Teens and families welcome!

4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care is offering a Parenting Workshop titled D.E.A.R. Parenting (Devote, Encourage, Attach and Respond) at NIU Child Development and Family Center in DeKalb from 9/21/23-10/26/23. The program offers information to parents regarding child development, communication, self-esteem, stress and anger management, child guidance and family life. Participants can expect to interact with other parents in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere and to receive information on parenting techniques.

The workshop is offered free of charge thanks to a generous grant from Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary. Participants meet once a week on Thursday evenings from 5:45-7:45 at Northern Illinois Child Development and Family Center. Free child care is available. Registration is required and space is limited. Please register by September 7, 2023.

Register for the class by calling Rose at (815) 758-8149 ext. 228 or email at rosem@four-c.org.

The Kishwaukee Family YMCA and Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists invite the public to join them for their collaborative Evening Coffee presentation (part of the Lunch & Learn Educational Series) on Thursday, September 21 at 6:00 pm held at the Kishwaukee Family YMCA in Sycamore. This event is free and open to the public and refreshments are provided and catered by co-sponsor, Hy-Vee in Sycamore.

September’s presentation topic is “Injury Prevention & Performance Enhancement for Runners” presented by Northern Rehab’s physical therapist Rob Larkins. Attendees will learn about injuries related to running, and effective training strategies and exercises to prevent related injuries. Performance enhancement exercises and footwear will also be discussed.

This free event is open to the public (YMCA membership is not required), but space is limited, and registration is required. You may sign up online at kishymca.org or call 815.756.9577.

For more information about this event, please visit kishymca.org or northernrehabpt.com/events or call 815.756.9577 (YMCA) or 815.756.8524 (Northern Rehab).

Artists' Ensemble Theater of Rockford presents The Tin Woman Sept. 7-24 at Rockford College's Cheek Theatre.

Following a successful heart transplant, Joy (played by Casiena Raether) has a second chance at life. So why is she drowning in guilt? Meanwhile, Alice (Carolyn Cadigan) and Hank (Russell Konstans) are still grappling with the sudden, wrenching loss of their son, Jack. When they receive a letter from Joy, unexpected feelings erupt. Witty and touching, hilarious and heartbreaking, this play was inspired by a true story.

Stage Coach Players presents the musical comedy "The Addams Family" Sept. 14-24 at its DeKalb theater.

A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, The Addams features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Every Wednesday, September 13 to October 4

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

This course covers four main topics: the history of Islam, diverse cultures of Islam, and Islam and the Western World. There will be introductions to the life of the Prophet Muhammad, the development of Islamic law and theology, and the spread of Islam across the Arabian Peninsula. We will also explore the significance of the five pillars of Islam, the diversity of Muslim practices and beliefs, and the role of Islam in different regions of the world. Finally, examination of the historical and contemporary relationships between Islam and the Western world will include issues such as immigration, terrorism, and lslamophobia.

Convener: Mohammad Labadi was born in Jerusalem, Palestine, and moved to the U.S. when he was 19. He graduated from NIU with a bachelor’s degree and earned a master’s in business management from the Keller Graduate School of Business. Mohammad is deeply committed to positively impacting his community and is passionate about volunteering and helping others whenever he can.

All sessions meet in HSC Illinois Room.

Every Tuesday, September 12 to October 31

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

This lecture series will pick up where the previous one left off, describing the contributions of · Michelangelo as a major figure of both the High and late Renaissance in Italy. It will then proceed to major developments in the art and literature of Rome, Venice and other Italian cities throughout the sixteenth century, including Giorgione, Titian, Cellini, Veronese, Ariosto, Stampa, Tasso, and the literary phenomenon of Petrarchism. The lectures conclude with certain developments of the early seventeenth century, especially the scientific revolution of Galileo whose view of the universe stands in marked contrast to the medieval notions of Dante, the subject of the first lecture series.

Convener: Christopher Nissen received his Ph. D. in Italian from the University of California at Berkeley, then taught Italian language and literature at NIU from 1988 to 2019. He is the author of numerous studies of Italian literature.

All sessions meet in HSC Illinois Room.