UIS Visual Arts Gallery presents "Paintings" featuring the work of local artist Kevin Veara

The University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery presents Paintings from celebrated local artist Kevin Veara. His paintings focus on birds and plants near Springfield that are found in the steep and forested banks and flood plains of the Sangamon River, and reflect his fascination with the density of life in the natural world.

Paintings will open at the UIS Visual Arts Gallery on Monday, January 27, and run through Thursday, February 27. A reception will take place on Thursday, January 30, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

Veara owns seven acres of land on the banks of the South Fork of the Sangamon River. His studio is surrounded by forest that is home to a myriad of avian species, many of which he can see at feeders outside his studio windows. He has truly immersed himself in the habitat of his subjects.

“I have always had a great liking for birds,” said Veara. “They are a barometer of the quality of the environment. Their populations rise and fall in response to the quality of the environment. Being here makes me more aware of my surroundings. This house puts me in the middle of it, this process."

Veara holds an MFA in Painting from Southern Illinois University, is represented by Aaron Packer Gallery in Chicago and Marta Hewett in Cincinnati, and is also the owner and operator of Black Moon Tattoos.

The UIS Visual Arts Gallery is centrally located on the UIS campus in the Health and Science Building, room 201 (HSB 201). Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information exhibition programming, please visit the UIS Visual Arts Gallery website or contact the gallery at 217/ 206-6506 or alach3@uis.edu.