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visit the month-long exhibit by appointment:
Call 815-866-5167 or email [email protected]

On Sunday, January 28, 2024, NCI ARTworks will host an opening reception for the work of Carol Crane and Mary Kay Specht at the NCI ARTworks gallery in the west wing of the historic Westclox building in Peru. The exhibit is titled “Nature Inspired.” It is free, open to the public, and begins at 2pm.

One of the artists featured in the exhibition is Carol Crane, a recently retired healthcare professional who has been painting and creating works of art in various mediums for the past forty years. While Crane has worked in all mediums, over time she has come to favor graphite and acrylic. Her work is inspired by nature, flowers, whimsy, and abstract ideas. She usually works from photographs and has learned most of her skills as a member of the Ottawa Art League, where she has attended lectures and taken classes. Her graphite “Waiting for a Hug” won best of show two years ago.

Mary Kay Specht has always been drawn to the arts. She favors the impressionistic form of painting and enjoys exploring abstract as well as experimenting with polymer clay. While living in Michigan, Specht founded a group called “Beads, Beauty & Beyond,” in which jewelry makers donated their polymer clay jewelry to the local cancer center.

While living in Michigan, Specht studied under author/artist Larry Blovitz as well as with Cheri Petri of the Petri Art Gallery in Pentwater, Michigan. After returning to Illinois, she became a member of the LaGrange Art League and took classes while in the area.  Specht now lives in Ottawa, where she is an active member of the Ottawa Art League and continues to study art through the many classes and opportunities provided by the Ottawa Art League and Open Spaces Art Gallery. Over the past seven years, she has received blue, red, and white ribbons for her artwork.

In addition to the opening reception on January 28 at 2pm, the NCI ARTworks will be open to the public for private viewing by appointment. To view and purchase the items on exhibit please email [email protected] to schedule a time.