The theatre department at Northwestern College will be showing their production of the musical “Man of La Mancha” beginning this weekend in the Proscenium Theatre. An art show featuring 15 regional artists will be taking place at the same time in the lobby of the building.
There will be 22 pieces shown, all of which are related to themes from “Man of La Mancha.” The works are done in a variety of media, including acrylic, oil, watercolor, ink, textile, wire, steel and wood.
Works featured at the show were done by local artists, as well as artists from Sioux City and Okoboji. There will even be works by NW students Katlyn Loeschen, Kali Wolkow and Lyric Morris on display.
One notable exception will be three pieces sent from an artist in Florida who goes by the name Lambarri. Lambarri grew up in Mexico City after his parents left Spain, then later returned to his home country to study art.
Janine Calsbeek of the Orange City Arts Council said that Lambarri somehow found out about the show and sent a series of three paintings titled “Don Quixote I, II and III” to be presented at the show.
Highlights of the showcase include a piece by Jo Alberda titled “Midwestern Don Quixote” — the work is on fabric and is the artist’s creative response to Picasso’s “Don Quixote.” Another noteworthy piece will be Brian Damon’s “To Surrender Dreams.” Damon’s work is a large acrylic painting, which is over five feet tall.
Jurors for the show are Rein and Margo Vanderhill, artists from Alton. The Vanderhills will award “best of show” and “honorable mention” to selected artwork from the show, and the chosen artists will receive cash prizes.
The art show is meant to compliment “Man of La Mancha.” Attendees will receive an opportunity to see some of the work done by talented individuals from the community, NW and afar.