Many Nature Artists’ Guild members were able to catch a glimpse of some of the artwork at the Father Michael E. Komechak O.S.B. Art Gallery at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL while dropping off their own artwork for a group exhibit last year.  What many may not have known is the extent of the artwork collection housed at the university or the history behind it!

From the gallery’s website –

Fr. Michael E. Komechak, O.S.B. Art Gallery

The late Fr. Michael Komechak, O.S.B. spent his life collecting and celebrating the works of others. Over time, he amassed one of the finest art and sculpture collections in the Midwest. The collection, approximately 4000 pieces, represents both fine and applied arts, and is engagingly diverse in its scope of subject and media. While a majority of the collection deals with religious themes, it also has a fair representation of contemporary art and work by well-known artists, but, consists mainly of works on paper and fine art prints.The gallery also boasts a collection of ceramics, drawings, paintings, photography, textile, sculpture, mixed media, folk art and kitsch.

Members of the Nature Artists’ Guild are invited to attend a behind-the-scenes gallery tour of the collections on the morning of Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from 10 am until noon. Participants should meet at the gallery located on the fifth floor of Kindlon Hall at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL promptly at 10 am.  The elevator to the fifth floor is located near the rear of Kindlon Hall in a short hallway to the right (the main elevator near the front entrance does not go past the second floor). Other buildings on the campus will be part of the tour, so comfortable walking shoes and warm outerwear would be advised.

There is no need to RSVP for this wonderful opportunity to attend the gallery tour. Please click on the highlighted links above to read more about the gallery, the collections, or for maps and directions.