On Friday, April 10, NCI ARTworks will host an opening reception for the Ottawa Art League group show from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the historic Westclox building in Peru.
The Ottawa Art League (OAL) is a not-for-profit organization that offers artists an opportunity to share their skills and experiences in all forms of art with people of similar interests in the Illinois Valley. The OAL meets the 1st Wednesday of every month at 7pm at Open Space Gallery on Madison Street in downtown Ottawa, IL. OAL offers programs that encourage artists to enhance their art skills. Membership is not necessary to attend meetings. This year’s group show at the NCI ARTworks Gallery includes new, exciting artists as well as traditional local favorites.
The work of numerous topnotch local artists will be on exhibit and available for purchase at the NCI ARTworks Gallery beginning Friday, April 10, 2026, and running through the end of May. Ranging from watercolorists and fabric artists to metal, glass, and ceramic sculptors, the work of Ottawa Art League artists from LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties will be showcased at the gallery and available for purchase until the end of May.
For a complete list and biography of the artists whose works will be on exhibit, visit www.nciartworks.com. This is a unique opportunity to view so many talented artists—many of whom are award-winners—in the same gallery at the same time exhibiting their work.
The Ottawa Art League Group Show and opening reception will be held at the NCI Artworks Gallery in the historic Westclox Building from 6 to 8pm on April 10, 2026
In addition to the opening reception on April 10th, NCI ARTworks Gallery will be open to the public MWF from 1pm to 4pm and for private viewing by appointment. To schedule a private viewing and purchase the items on exhibit, please email [email protected].
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NCI ARTworks is a regional arts agency, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the arts community in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties through artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. Its mission also is to create venues which support public and private education, community events, economic development, and cultural tourism. ARTworks’ vision is to foster communication between artists, arts organizations, and arts educators. NCI ARTworks is located in the Westclox ARTworks Center in the west wing of the Westclox building in Peru. The organization is supported, in part, by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information visit www.nciartworks.com.
The Ottawa Art League (OAL) is a not-for-profit organization that offers artists an opportunity to share their skills and experiences in all forms of art with people of similar interests in the Illinois Valley. The OAL meets the 1st Wednesday of every month at 7pm at Open Space Gallery on Madison Street in downtown Ottawa, IL. OAL offers programs that encourage artists to enhance their art skills. Membership is not necessary to attend meetings. This year’s group show at the NCI ARTworks Gallery includes new, exciting artists as well as traditional local favorites.
The work of numerous topnotch local artists will be on exhibit and available for purchase at the NCI ARTworks Gallery beginning Friday, April 10, 2026, and running through the end of May. Ranging from watercolorists and fabric artists to metal, glass, and ceramic sculptors, the work of Ottawa Art League artists from LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties will be showcased at the gallery and available for purchase until the end of May.
For a complete list and biography of the artists whose works will be on exhibit, visit www.nciartworks.com. This is a unique opportunity to view so many talented artists—many of whom are award-winners—in the same gallery at the same time exhibiting their work.
The Ottawa Art League Group Show and opening reception will be held at the NCI Artworks Gallery in the historic Westclox Building from 6 to 8pm on April 10, 2026
In addition to the opening reception on April 10th, NCI ARTworks Gallery will be open to the public MWF from 1pm to 4pm and for private viewing by appointment. To schedule a private viewing and purchase the items on exhibit, please email [email protected].
-end-
NCI ARTworks is a regional arts agency, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the arts community in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties through artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. Its mission also is to create venues which support public and private education, community events, economic development, and cultural tourism. ARTworks’ vision is to foster communication between artists, arts organizations, and arts educators. NCI ARTworks is located in the Westclox ARTworks Center in the west wing of the Westclox building in Peru. The organization is supported, in part, by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information visit www.nciartworks.com.
2026 Ottawa Art League Group Show Exhibitors include:
Carol Crane...Working with all mediums, she loves graphite and acrylic the best, Carol gets inspiration from nature, flowers, whimsy, and abstract ideas.
Edna Olson...Works in many mediums, but watercolor and acrylic are the most used. She paints many subjects, but particularly horses and animals.
Jay Reed...Worked as a Construction Superintendent for 25 years and creates Sculptures and other Art using leftover materials from job sites that include wood, metals, wire, glass, plastics, etc.
Jennifer Maison...A lifelong creative currently concentrating in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic painting, as well as photography, Jennifer is a trained graphic artist. She has degrees from the College of Dupage, and Arizona State University, and is a certified professional photographer through the Professional Photographers of America.
Jessica Presnak...An artist, educator, and conservationist located in Lasalle County within a mile of the Fox River, much of her inspiration comes from her love for nature and wanting to help educate the general public about nature–and more specifically about pollinators.
Larisa Sarver...Walks in the woodlands and learning the plants with her father and gardening with her mother helped her develop a great love of nature that comes through in her artwork. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education, Larisa taught at LaSalle Peru High School until her recent retirement.
Linda Ziel...A self-taught Artist who has been sketching and drawing since childhood, she began painting about 30 years ago. She works mostly with acrylic paint, canvas, mixed media on wood, and glass.
Lorena Malm...Self taught with a passion for many kinds of art, she embeds her emotions into her Art with intention to present a connection to the viewer, so that they too will feel emotion and connected to an otherwise abstract tangible.
Mary Kay Specht...Art, in its various forms, has been a part of her entire life. From music, acting, jewelry making, she has now found a new passion for painting. Her paintings of birds and flowers are gaining in popularity.
Nancy Nieslawski...A photography Artist who has always loved nature, Arts and Crafts have always been a big part of her life. As to her latest photography interests, a good friend said that, “She sees the world through Angel’s eyes.”
Pat Rudzinski...A retired teacher, Pat has been painting for over 25 years. Her preferred mediums are watercolor, acrylic, and inks. All proceeds from her art are donated to various non-profits.
Paula Guttilla...Her passion for photography started when she received her first camera at the age of 10. Her work graces the walls of homes and businesses throughout the country, and she has won many prestigious awards. Now retired and enjoying family time, she travels and photographs the inspiring nature that surrounds her wherever she goes.
Phyllis Natanek...Her poems and art are reflective of what she sees and feels around her in her world. She is unashamedly a realist and her art reflects that.
Rene Parks...A LaSalle County poet, educator, and visual artist who is focused on themes central to eco-feminism, healing with nature, and folk stories, she received a BA and MA in English from Governors State University and an MFA in poetry from Lindenwood University.
Sandra Rust...She captures nature, wildlife, architectural, portraits, industrial, and editorial images. Her work has won numerous prestigious national and international awards. She graduated with a B.A. in fine art and studied digital imaging in graduate school at Governors State University.
Tammy Zeller...Spent 30 years “taking pictures” in the Diagnostic Imaging field (X-Ray and Ultrasound) and along the way discovered her love of photography, capturing the beauty of nature through the lens to include wildlife, old barns, and a multitude of other things that have caught her eye.
Carol Crane...Working with all mediums, she loves graphite and acrylic the best, Carol gets inspiration from nature, flowers, whimsy, and abstract ideas.
Edna Olson...Works in many mediums, but watercolor and acrylic are the most used. She paints many subjects, but particularly horses and animals.
Jay Reed...Worked as a Construction Superintendent for 25 years and creates Sculptures and other Art using leftover materials from job sites that include wood, metals, wire, glass, plastics, etc.
Jennifer Maison...A lifelong creative currently concentrating in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic painting, as well as photography, Jennifer is a trained graphic artist. She has degrees from the College of Dupage, and Arizona State University, and is a certified professional photographer through the Professional Photographers of America.
Jessica Presnak...An artist, educator, and conservationist located in Lasalle County within a mile of the Fox River, much of her inspiration comes from her love for nature and wanting to help educate the general public about nature–and more specifically about pollinators.
Larisa Sarver...Walks in the woodlands and learning the plants with her father and gardening with her mother helped her develop a great love of nature that comes through in her artwork. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education, Larisa taught at LaSalle Peru High School until her recent retirement.
Linda Ziel...A self-taught Artist who has been sketching and drawing since childhood, she began painting about 30 years ago. She works mostly with acrylic paint, canvas, mixed media on wood, and glass.
Lorena Malm...Self taught with a passion for many kinds of art, she embeds her emotions into her Art with intention to present a connection to the viewer, so that they too will feel emotion and connected to an otherwise abstract tangible.
Mary Kay Specht...Art, in its various forms, has been a part of her entire life. From music, acting, jewelry making, she has now found a new passion for painting. Her paintings of birds and flowers are gaining in popularity.
Nancy Nieslawski...A photography Artist who has always loved nature, Arts and Crafts have always been a big part of her life. As to her latest photography interests, a good friend said that, “She sees the world through Angel’s eyes.”
Pat Rudzinski...A retired teacher, Pat has been painting for over 25 years. Her preferred mediums are watercolor, acrylic, and inks. All proceeds from her art are donated to various non-profits.
Paula Guttilla...Her passion for photography started when she received her first camera at the age of 10. Her work graces the walls of homes and businesses throughout the country, and she has won many prestigious awards. Now retired and enjoying family time, she travels and photographs the inspiring nature that surrounds her wherever she goes.
Phyllis Natanek...Her poems and art are reflective of what she sees and feels around her in her world. She is unashamedly a realist and her art reflects that.
Rene Parks...A LaSalle County poet, educator, and visual artist who is focused on themes central to eco-feminism, healing with nature, and folk stories, she received a BA and MA in English from Governors State University and an MFA in poetry from Lindenwood University.
Sandra Rust...She captures nature, wildlife, architectural, portraits, industrial, and editorial images. Her work has won numerous prestigious national and international awards. She graduated with a B.A. in fine art and studied digital imaging in graduate school at Governors State University.
Tammy Zeller...Spent 30 years “taking pictures” in the Diagnostic Imaging field (X-Ray and Ultrasound) and along the way discovered her love of photography, capturing the beauty of nature through the lens to include wildlife, old barns, and a multitude of other things that have caught her eye.