Picture
​

Artists include:
Lyle Newby
Jacob Stouffer
Lisa Carlson
​Mary Jean Dzurisin
Stephanie Latty
Morgan Phillips
Emily Maze
​Gayle Ackerman​

Stephanie Latty is a local artist based out of Granville, Illinois, where she lives with her wife, Bonnie, and their three cats. A life-long love for drawing and painting was instilled in her at a very early age, and has followed ever since. She obtained her Associates of Arts degree from Illinois Valley Community College in 2008. Majoring in the studio arts with a discipline in photography, she graduated with a BS from Illinois State University in 2011. Her unique style of mixing acrylic ink and charcoal was born shortly after. She has always been fascinated with the randomness and unpredictability of splatter art, which is demonstrated in each of her pieces. Ink splatter and the layering of the intricate details resting on top are a true essential component. The balance found between the randomness and uniqueness of the background paired with a structured and diligently drawn interior is the ultimate struggle and accomplishment! Her work encompasses a full spectrum of people, animals, and nature on Claybord panels. ​
Gaetano’s Vault and NCI Artworks partner to offer an open-air Fine Art Brunch from 11 to 2pm on the third Sunday of July and August. 

NCI ARTworks is partnering with Gaetano’s Vault co-owners Stephanie and Rick Wilkinson to offer patrons and passersby the opportunity to view and purchase art by local artists from the tri-county area during brunch service on July 21 and August 18. Art will be displayed in the courtyard of Gaetano’s Vault, located at 200 E Main St. in Streator.

According to Julia Messina, the executive director of NCI ARTworks, this collaboration is the outcome of discussions about expanding opportunities for local artists to showcase their work in venues that attract new audiences for their art and provide an added value to the venues themselves. 

“Streator is a special place for me personally, as part of my family is from there,” stated Messina, “and professionally it is as well, since NCI ARTworks was instrumental in facilitating the creation of the magnificent Heritage Park mural just down the block from Gaetano’s Vault, which was designed and painted by the Westclox Studio muralists who painted the Heritage Park mural.”

For information about the artists whose work will be on exhibit during these Fine Art Brunches, please visit www.nciartworks.com and the North Central Illinois ARTworks Facebook page.
 

Lyle Newby--In my 37 years devoted to the study, practice, and exploration of art I have merged time-honored artistic techniques with the modern pursuit of reducing life’s environmental footprint and the materials left behind. This unique approach allows me to create vibrant, thought-provoking artworks that bridge the gap between the discarded and the cherished.
My journey as an artist has been profoundly influenced by my partner, Jacob Stouffer, and our life together in Princeton, IL. Our home is a vibrant hub of creativity, where the aromas of home-cooked meals mingle with the voices of audiobooks, creating an environment that fuels my imagination. Influences from my upbringing, including late-night Star Trek marathons, great literature, and educational programs, have all contributed to the artist I am today.
My artwork encompasses a wide range of mediums, including paintings, canvas reliefs, and demi-sculptures. Through a thoughtful examination of discarded materials, unwanted objects, and seemingly purposeless items, I repurpose these remnants of the contemporary world, creating artifacts for future archaeologists. My multidimensional artworks are filled with lines, shapes, forms, curves, textures, and vibrant colors unique to my vision.
Each piece I create invokes narratives of life experiences, eliciting deeply personal emotional reactions or offering refreshing, objective perspectives. Audiences are encouraged to interpret and explore these works based on their own experiences, engaging with the evolving state of the world and its art. My contributions spark contemplation on the potential of repurposed materials to contribute to a greater good, offering an opportunity to temporarily escape from the reality of the here and now.
As I look to the future, I think about the time we live in and how it is so incredibly important to be creative, stay kind, and remember to be playful.
Inspired by the same passions my parents instilled in me, I strive to create art that fosters a deeper understanding of our relationship with the material world and the role of AI in enhancing this relationship.