New art exhibit celebrating global diversity opens in Aurora
'Kinora: A Cultural Heritage Group Show' showcases work by a variety of contemporary artists alongside various ethnographic artifacts and art from around the world, according to a news release from the city of Aurora. The new art exhibit is Aurora Public Art Division's third of 2025.
The exhibit and related events are at Aurora Public Art at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place in downtown Aurora. The art gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
'The inclusion of ethnographic art will provide a fascinating contrast and complement contemporary works, offering a deeper understanding of human creativity across diverse cultures and time periods,' Curator Sangeeta Pande said in the city news release about the new exhibit. 'It also highlights the personal connections and passions of individuals within the Aurora community.'
Contemporary artists featured in the exhibit include Aurora 10th Ward Ald. Shweta Baid, Abdoulaye Conde, Martha Ponzio, Marita Valdizan, Karla Wong, Varun Vasireddy and Breyona Smith as well as Georgene Schramer, who is former Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner's aunt, the city news release said.
The exhibit also hosts significant ethnographic artifacts from the Solomon Islands, provided by the family collection of Tom and Marilyn Weisner, along with art from Papua New Guinea from the family collections of Milton and Cecil Johnson and Marcus and Christine Felde, plus a utilitarian piece from Africa contributed by Addam Brummel, according to the news release.
A variety of related events will be held throughout the coming months in connection with the exhibit, all to be held at Aurora Public Art at 20 E. Downer Place.
On Friday, Aug. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m., Marilyn Weisner will share her experiences from the Solomon Islands, followed by a talk from Aurora's Deputy Poet Laureate Quentin Johnson and Aurora's Director of Innovation and Strategy Martha Paschke about growing up in Papua New Guinea.
The next week, on Friday, Aug. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m., a free watercolor workshop will be led by Martha Ponzio, an art therapist from the Art Institute of Chicago.
On Friday, Sept. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., the exhibition will honor Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting a celebration in collaboration with Jose Torres and the SS Modeling Agency, featuring a musical performance by Juan Diego Rojas.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a free wire stitch workshop for ages 16 and older led by Peruvian artist Marita Valdizan.
Then, on Friday, Sept. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m., Quentin Johnson will lead a poetry workshop inspired by the exhibition.
The exhibition will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a fashion show from 2 to 4 p.m. that will be led by award-winning fashion designer Breyona Smith, who is a graduate of West Aurora High School and Columbia College Chicago.
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