Sunday Afternoon at the Museum a Success

Nearly 30 people were in attendance for the first Sunday Afternoon at the Museum at the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art located at Southeastern Illinois College.

This event hosted two artists featured in the inaugural exhibit at the museum, Art of our Region: 1930s to 2019. Barb Allen of Carterville and John Romang of Paducah, Kentucky spoke about their works and their creative processes.

Allen’s work, Putting in the Time, is a three-by-four foot framed oil painting on canvas that is currently on loan from the private collection of Bobby Eudy. This work depicting a ballerina can be seen on the north wall of the main gallery in the museum.

“It was an honor to be asked to speak about my painting at the first Sunday Afternoon at the Museum at the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art on the campus at SIC,” said Allen. I was impressed that the audience included grade school children, art collectors and visitors who had not been to the museum.”

Romang’s work, South Side of Heaven is ink and resin on Plexiglas, and is illuminated by LED lights. This round, colorful piece is on display on the west wall of the west gallery in the museum.

“John Romang’s work is a beautiful combination of abstract art and illumination,” said Allen. “The audience was mesmerized.”

Amongst the audience, Cody Sandusky of Harrisburg was captivated by the event overall.

“I cannot express enough how impressed I am with the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art,” said Sandusky. “The Sunday Afternoon at the Museum program was interesting and the facilities are beautiful. This museum is a tremendous asset to our region.”

The next Sunday Afternoon at the Museum will be held Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. This event will host two different artists who have works in this exhibit. The event is free of charge and open to the public. The current exhibit, Art of our Region: 1930s to 2019, will be on display through Dec. 4.

“As my late friend and mentor Jack Simmons always said, ‘Art matters’,” said Allen. “I encourage parents to take their children to these Sunday talks at the museum to give them a cultural background that will be with them forever.”

The Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art was made possible by a generous gift from retired Air Force Col. William C. Hise and his brother, the late Air Force Brig. Gen. James C. Hise, who wished to honor their late sister Ella Elizabeth Hise, who was a pioneer in art education in Illinois and began her career in Harrisburg Public School. The Museum, located on the sound side of campus, contains three spacious galleries, as well as a beautiful front entrance foyer, classroom/reception area and professional workspace. The mission of the museum is to honor Ella Elizabeth Hise and foster an appreciation for visual arts works, exhibits, programs, and cultural partnerships that celebrate southern Illinois and surrounding region.

Hours of operation for the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art are Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., the first Sunday of the month, 1-4 p.m., by appointment and during special events. For more information call 618-252-5400 ext. 2599, email hisemuseum@sic.edu or visit www.sic.edu/hisemuseum.

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