Christopher Art Gallery
Named for its generous donors, Bob and Marty Christopher, the Christopher Art Gallery
is located on the main campus of Prairie State College. he gallery hosts six to eight
shows per year, featuring local, regional and national artists, as well as student
works. Gallery Director, Javier Chavira, recommends programming and often acts as
curator for shows.
Hours of Operations
202 S. Halsted St.
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Summer and holiday hours vary)
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Summer and holiday hours vary)
Exhibition Calendar
See below.
Every artist begins somewhere. The Fall Student Exhibition celebrates the creativity
and growth of Prairie State College's first- and second-year students, showcasing
diverse works that reflect experimentation, discovery, and the emergence of new artistic
voices.
Reception: Wednesday, August 19, 11 am-1 pm
Gloria Contreras: Coraz贸n de Papel
Drawing upon the Mexican tradition of cartoner铆a, Gloria Contreras transforms paper
into vibrant sculptures celebrating culture, imagination, and resilience. Coraz贸n
de Papel honors the enduring power of handcrafted traditions through joyful contemporary
expression.
September 15 鈥� October 14
Reception: Wednesday, September 16, 11 am-1 pm
Surreal < Virestic > Uncanny
Reality gives way to imagination in this exhibition of digitally manipulated photography
by Tim Arroyo and Dave Sobotka. Blurring the boundaries between the familiar and the
uncanny, the artists invite viewers to question perception and embrace the unexpected.
October 19 鈥� November 11
Reception: Wednesday, October 21, 11 am-1 pm
October 19 鈥� November 11
Reception: Wednesday, October 21, 11 am-1 pm
Prairie State College Art Faculty Exhibition
The Prairie State College Art Faculty Exhibition showcases the diverse creative practices
of the department's artists and educators. Featuring works across multiple media,
the exhibition highlights the artistic research that enriches both studio practice
and the classroom.
November 16 鈥� December 10
Reception: Wednesday, November 18, 11 am-1 pm
November 16 鈥� December 10
Reception: Wednesday, November 18, 11 am-1 pm
Steve Kost: From Seabee to Sculptor 鈥� The Artist's Journey of Metal Health Artwork
Steve Kost transforms reclaimed metal into expressive sculptures that speak to resilience,
renewal, and reinvention. Drawing on his experiences as a Navy Seabee, his work demonstrates
the beauty and potential found in overlooked materials.
January 11 鈥� February 3
Reception: Wednesday, January 13, 11 am-1 pm
January 11 鈥� February 3
Reception: Wednesday, January 13, 11 am-1 pm
Presence: Eileen Lacy
Presence features the figurative paintings of Eileen Lacy, whose expressive works
explore identity, memory, and the quiet strength of human connection. Through gesture
and color, her subjects invite moments of reflection and recognition.
February 8 鈥� March 4
Reception: Wednesday, February 10, 11 am-1 pm
February 8 鈥� March 4
Reception: Wednesday, February 10, 11 am-1 pm
Kept: Julian Graham
Julian Graham reveals the abstract poetry of the built environment, transforming everyday
architecture into compelling studies of light, geometry, and texture. His photographs
encourage viewers to see familiar spaces with renewed curiosity.
March 15 鈥� April 7
Reception: Wednesday, March 17, 11 am-1 pm
March 15 鈥� April 7
Reception: Wednesday, March 17, 11 am-1 pm
Spring Student Show 鈥� Photographer of the Year
Celebrating a year of artistic achievement, the Spring Student Show features outstanding
student work while recognizing the recipient of the annual Photographer of the Year
award. Together, the exhibition reflects creativity, dedication, and artistic growth.
April 12 鈥� May 13
Reception: Wednesday, April 21, 11 am-1 pm
April 12 鈥� May 13
Reception: Wednesday, April 21, 11 am-1 pm
Form Follows Flora: Where Botanical Form Meets Ceramic Design
Inspired by the forms of living plants, this invitational exhibition pairs ceramics
with botany in unexpected ways. Each vessel responds to the unique character of its
botanical companion, celebrating the intersection of nature, sculpture, and functional
design.
June 1 鈥� July 8
Reception: Thursday, June 3, 11 am-1 pm
June 1 鈥� July 8
Reception: Thursday, June 3, 11 am-1 pm