Prairie State College is hosting “Action/Reaction,” an art exhibit running through Dec. 3 of works by a collective of artists with military service. The show is in the Christopher Art Gallery on the main campus, 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights.
A reception for the artists is scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12.
Veteran and musician Eugene Vinyard will perform.
The group’s mission statement notes: “In the military we were issued brand new canteens, but after many training exercises and deployments the canteens became worn, abused and dirty. (Our collective name) The Dirty Canteen is a metaphor for our involvements and experiences while in the military.
“We were soldiers and humanitarians and though we can no longer do so in uniform, we choose to continue this service to others by using the arts. We served in conflicts from Afghanistan, the Gulf War, Kosovo, and Iraq.”
“Each of these artists has created works that demand we think about what we are seeing, and its context,” according to Gallery Director Beth Shadur, exhibit curator.
“Most of these artists use multiple media within which to express their ideas, using whatever seems most appropriate to conveying content. Their work is thoughtful, challenging, emotional, and even at times humorous, but never leaves the viewer with a neutral distance from the work,” she added.
The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, or by appointment. For more information about the exhibit or to make an appointment for a visit, call (708) 709-7738.