Caption:

Irene O'Neill made "Searching for the Light" by painting on various misshapen pieces of broken glass and pressing them on paper.

“A Collaboration of Newer Works” is an exhibit featuring a group of artists from The Awakenings Project, a grass-roots initiative whose mission is to assist artists with psychiatric illnesses in developing their craft and finding an outlet for their creative abilities through art in all forms.  A free Opening Reception on Friday, February 3, 2012, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Gallery will include light refreshments, entertainment by member poets and musicians and an opportunity to meet the artists and view how the project works to raise public awareness and acceptance of people living with psychiatric disorders.  Regular Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday from 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.  Contact Gallery 200 at (630) 293-9550 or visit www.gallery200.org for more information.

Caption:

Irene O'Neill made "Searching for the Light" by painting on various misshapen pieces of broken glass and pressing them on paper.

“A Collaboration of Newer Works” is an exhibit featuring a group of artists from The Awakenings Project, a grass-roots initiative whose mission is to assist artists with psychiatric illnesses in developing their craft and finding an outlet for their creative abilities through art in all forms.  A free Opening Reception on Friday, February 3, 2012, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Gallery will include light refreshments, entertainment by member poets and musicians and an opportunity to meet the artists and view how the project works to raise public awareness and acceptance of people living with psychiatric disorders.  Regular Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday from 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.  Contact Gallery 200 at (630) 293-9550 or visit www.gallery200.org for more information.

A new group is forming in West Chicago and anyone who loves to sing is invited to join. The West Chicago Community Chorus, under the direction of Jo Noonan, an experienced conductor both locally and internationally, has secured space at Gallery 200/STUDIO, located at 203 Turner Court in downtown West Chicago, for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. for the children’s chorus and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. for the adult choir.

The currently forming West Chicago Community Chorus plans to perform at community events such as Frosty Fest, Blooming Fest, Railroad Days and others, as well as provide music on a monthly basis at Delnor Community Hospital. Plus, it hopes to represent West Chicago in Taufkirchen, Germany, West Chicago's Sister City sometime in the future.

Those interested in joining either the adult chorus or children's choir, may attend a Wednesday rehearsal, or contact Jo Noonan at (630) 346-8117.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Gallery Theater presents an introspective of Jane Addams, a progressive social reformer with a vein of iron.  The first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, she was called by some as the “most influential woman in Chicago History.”  Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2012.  Gallery 200/STUDIO is located at 203 Turner Court in downtown West Chicago.  For reservations, email gallerytheater@gmail.com or call (630) 639-0594.

The Gallery Theater, which hosts performances at Gallery 200/STUDIO in downtown West Chicago, is an initiative of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, and is one more reason West Chicago was named an Illinois Arts Friendly Community.

The visual art work of West Chicago artist Kim Konie-Fuller will also be featured, sponsored by People Made Visible, Inc.