

On Friday, February 14, 2025, NCI ARTworks will host an opening reception for the "Unmasking Love" exhibition of artwork by Lorena Malm and Lisa Marie Carlson.
The exhibit will take place in the NCI ARTworks gallery in the west wing of the historic Westclox building in Peru. It is free, open to the public, and begins at 6pm.
Lorena Malm is a nationally renowned digital and abstract artist, whose work graces the walls of homes and businesses throughout the US, including local businesses such as Eureka Savings Banks in Mendota and Oglesby. Her art is featured in respected art publications such as “Shout Out SoCal,” “Canvas Rebel,” and “San Diego Voyager” as well as the poetry collection by New Zealand writer Lorraine Gilmour. In addition, Malm’s work can also be found in “From Harm to Hope, a Multi-Artist Retrospective of Trauma & Recovery,” an NCIARTworks publication in partnership with the Perfectly Flawed Foundation, which is available online at nciartworks.com.
Malm’s focus in this exhibit is the unmasking of love in all of its forms and challenges. Some pieces on exhibit are the creative result of artistically portraying the emotional challenges that love presents to a woman of a certain age, while other works reflect the beauty and excitement of anticipated love as a young woman. While her digital work can be delightfully whimsical, depicting fairies swirling through magical landscapes, it can also be profoundly thought provoking. Malm spends her time creating and selling her art and helping to manage the operations of the NCI ARTworks Gallery exhibitions.
Lisa Marie Carlson of Ottawa is a self-taught artist and professional hairstylist, who began exhibiting at the Third Friday Street Art Fairs in Ottawa, Illinois, three years ago. Carlson’s alcohol ink base work overlaid with exquisitely sensual line work has created a viral sensation on TikTok, launching her from emerging artist to affirmed artist in short order. Her work is taking the internet community—and the local arts and culture community by storm. As a member of the Ottawa Art League, Carlson participated in the Art in the Park events and was part of the “Emerging Artists” exhibition at NCI ARTworks in July of 2024. Lisa Marie spends her time crafting beautiful pieces of art as well as volunteering at NCI ARTworks. Her work is beautiful and sensual and a perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Whether celebrating love or grieving the loss of it, the work of both of these talented artists poignantly showcases the complexity of this essential human emotion. The opening reception for the month-long “Unmasking Love” exhibit will take place on February 14thth at the NCI ARTworks Gallery from 6 to 8pm. It is free and all are welcome. Private viewing of the exhibit can be arranged any time by emailing [email protected].
The exhibit will take place in the NCI ARTworks gallery in the west wing of the historic Westclox building in Peru. It is free, open to the public, and begins at 6pm.
Lorena Malm is a nationally renowned digital and abstract artist, whose work graces the walls of homes and businesses throughout the US, including local businesses such as Eureka Savings Banks in Mendota and Oglesby. Her art is featured in respected art publications such as “Shout Out SoCal,” “Canvas Rebel,” and “San Diego Voyager” as well as the poetry collection by New Zealand writer Lorraine Gilmour. In addition, Malm’s work can also be found in “From Harm to Hope, a Multi-Artist Retrospective of Trauma & Recovery,” an NCIARTworks publication in partnership with the Perfectly Flawed Foundation, which is available online at nciartworks.com.
Malm’s focus in this exhibit is the unmasking of love in all of its forms and challenges. Some pieces on exhibit are the creative result of artistically portraying the emotional challenges that love presents to a woman of a certain age, while other works reflect the beauty and excitement of anticipated love as a young woman. While her digital work can be delightfully whimsical, depicting fairies swirling through magical landscapes, it can also be profoundly thought provoking. Malm spends her time creating and selling her art and helping to manage the operations of the NCI ARTworks Gallery exhibitions.
Lisa Marie Carlson of Ottawa is a self-taught artist and professional hairstylist, who began exhibiting at the Third Friday Street Art Fairs in Ottawa, Illinois, three years ago. Carlson’s alcohol ink base work overlaid with exquisitely sensual line work has created a viral sensation on TikTok, launching her from emerging artist to affirmed artist in short order. Her work is taking the internet community—and the local arts and culture community by storm. As a member of the Ottawa Art League, Carlson participated in the Art in the Park events and was part of the “Emerging Artists” exhibition at NCI ARTworks in July of 2024. Lisa Marie spends her time crafting beautiful pieces of art as well as volunteering at NCI ARTworks. Her work is beautiful and sensual and a perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Whether celebrating love or grieving the loss of it, the work of both of these talented artists poignantly showcases the complexity of this essential human emotion. The opening reception for the month-long “Unmasking Love” exhibit will take place on February 14thth at the NCI ARTworks Gallery from 6 to 8pm. It is free and all are welcome. Private viewing of the exhibit can be arranged any time by emailing [email protected].
Don't Miss Magical Storytelling by Tricia Kelly on February 22nd from 2 to 3pm
NCI ARTworks to host local storyteller Tricia Kelly from 2pm to 3pm at the gallery during the Westclox Metaphysical & Wellness Fair on February 22.
Storytelling is an art as old as time, and in the Illinois Valley, we are fortunate to have one of the most entertaining storytellers around, Tricia Kelly. Kelly is neither a painter, nor a quilter, nor a sculptor, instead, she uses words to create a picture through the art of storytelling. For over thirty years, Tricia's original tales have entertained audiences of all ages.
As a docent at the Carus-Hegeler Mansion for many years, Tricia brought to life the trials and tribulations, the humor and quirkiness of the notable local industrialists. She also honed her storytelling skills by regaling guests on the I&M Canal Boat rides with tales of adventure and drama that took place as the canal was built to facilitate a thriving commercial waterway between Chicago and the Gulf of Mexico. Kelly’s delightful folk tales and Irish fairy tales continue to delight audiences throughout the Illinois Valley. Nowadays she splits her time between storytelling at arts, culture and wellness events and dog sitting.
In addition to the Tricia Kelly story hour at 2pm at the NCI ARTworks gallery during the Westclox Metaphysical & Wellness Fair, guests will also enjoy the “Unmasking Love” exhibit of art by Lorena Malm and Lisa Marie Carlson. A private viewing of the exhibit can be arranged at any time by emailing [email protected].
Storytelling is an art as old as time, and in the Illinois Valley, we are fortunate to have one of the most entertaining storytellers around, Tricia Kelly. Kelly is neither a painter, nor a quilter, nor a sculptor, instead, she uses words to create a picture through the art of storytelling. For over thirty years, Tricia's original tales have entertained audiences of all ages.
As a docent at the Carus-Hegeler Mansion for many years, Tricia brought to life the trials and tribulations, the humor and quirkiness of the notable local industrialists. She also honed her storytelling skills by regaling guests on the I&M Canal Boat rides with tales of adventure and drama that took place as the canal was built to facilitate a thriving commercial waterway between Chicago and the Gulf of Mexico. Kelly’s delightful folk tales and Irish fairy tales continue to delight audiences throughout the Illinois Valley. Nowadays she splits her time between storytelling at arts, culture and wellness events and dog sitting.
In addition to the Tricia Kelly story hour at 2pm at the NCI ARTworks gallery during the Westclox Metaphysical & Wellness Fair, guests will also enjoy the “Unmasking Love” exhibit of art by Lorena Malm and Lisa Marie Carlson. A private viewing of the exhibit can be arranged at any time by emailing [email protected].