Seneca Resident Michael Progress Artwork on Display at Lewis University

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Lewis University opens its newly constructed Art Gallery with The President’s Fifth Annual Art Show.

ROMEOVILLE, IL (02/22/2013)(readMedia)--  Michael Progress of Seneca is among the artists featured in the Lewis University President's Fifth Annual Art Show. Progress's artwork included "Beyond the Blades" and "Curious Little Object." He received an honorable mention for "Swimming Room."

The inaugural exhibit of the university's new art gallery featured the work of various Lewis students and alumni, with 11 being honored during the juried art show. The Art Gallery is located in a new addition to the Oremus Fine Arts Center on the Lewis campus in Romeoville. Artwork is displayed in the Gallery and in several adjacent, beautifully designed rooms, including a conference room and a spacious reception area. Natural lighting is available in much of the area and comfortable seating is available for those who wish to admire and study the displayed art works

"The Gallery provides a wonderful opportunity for Lewis University to host art exhibits, featuring work by our own students, faculty and alumni, as well as by professional artists," said Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University. "I am pleased that the Gallery opened with a juried show that has become a tradition on campus. Once again, the student and alumni artists exhibited great talent. Clearly, the artistic ability of our students is impressive. This year's addition of alumni artwork expanded the scope of high quality artwork on display," he commented.

These works of art are being featured in the new Art Gallery until Thursday, Feb. 28. This exhibit features 57 artworks with 11 receiving awards. Awards for the art show went to Arianna Alvarez, who won first place for her untitled work (digital mixed media), Nicole Nellen, who took second place for "Angel," done in mixed media, and Connor McLennan, who placed third with "Waiting #1" in spray acrylic, oil and watercolor. Winning Honorable Mention Awards were students Alfredo Melendez, Cassandra Pruitt, Audrey Heiberger, Brittany Bishop, Bridget Cunningham, Jillian Carlberg, and Kendra Mills along with alumnus Michael Progress, who is Assistant Dean for the College of Business and an Art student.

The new Art Gallery is part of a major addition to the Oremus Fine Arts Center which includes a new studio Theatre and extensive renovations to the entire building. The Department of Art and Design anticipates that the gallery will support periodic programming, including Lewis University student shows, local and regional artist shows, annual high school exhibits, faculty shows, academic based exhibitions and cultural and religious based art shows.

Spring exhibits in the new Art Gallery include the current offering and the following:

• March 4-29: "Superhero and Before: Frank Trankina Solo Art Show." A professor of art at Northern Illinois University, this artist will present paintings that highlight his series of pop culture-influenced superhero works as well as thematic-based still life paintings.

• April 1-26: "Paintings and Drawings by Carol Luc." A Chicago artist, she will exhibit urban, architecturally-themed prints.

• May 3: "Lewis University Faculty Art Show," featuring works by painter Mark Swain, professor and chair of the Department of Art and Design and a Lewis alumnus, and Professor Leslie Colonna, sculptor and illustrator.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http://www.lewisu.edu for further information.