We came together as a seemingly random group of students and quickly found
common ground in artistic expressions about that which we observe in nature and urban environments. Our shared interests in upcycling, recycling, materiality, psychology, color, closeness and distance come together in Urban | Nature. Embedded in our collection of work are experimentation of materials in common and uncommon ways. We explore themes about private inner experiences that are outwardly expressed through shyness and humor, and observations about the essence of natural and urban environments.

Celeste explores processes related to labor, merging urban and natural colors through upcycling materials such as paper and fiber.

Wynette combines geometric shapes, patterns, and pairs unlikely objects in a whimsical manner.

Natasha derives a lot of her inspiration from her experience and excitement of urban textures and layers.

Jenny captures the tension between a latent darkness that exists behind seemingly innocent moments.

Mary Lou invites viewers to contemplate colors and creative forms found in nature contrasted with urban settings.

Andrea’s conceptual work allows viewers to reflect on how they react to daily materials, the world and the disposability of objects.

Through creative shapes and color studies using recycled, upcycled, material and virtual resources, we expand and contract our views whether in urban or natural settings. Our collection of work contrasts the natural and the urban from multiple perspectives.

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Celeste S. Diaz (b. Santiago, Dominican Republic), received her B.F.A. from SAIC, and B.S. in Information Systems/Minor in Business Administration from DePaul University, where she was the recipient of the Father Pansza Renaissance Scholarship grant. She currently works as a Grants Accountant. As an interdisciplinary artist, Celeste likes to work in different mediums: Painting, Fiber, Photography and Ceramics.

Wynette Edwards (b. Kent, Washington) lived in Washington and five other states before moving to the Chicago area in 1963. Before studying art, she studied mathematics, journalism, accounting, and business as well as Chinese and Russian literature. She has had careers as a journalist, accountant and arts administrator. Her work is in photography, sculpture, drawing and painting. Her photography has been exhibited in Fermilab, Norris Cultural Arts Center, The Campbell House Gallery, Elgin and Waubonsee Community Colleges, The David Pierce Art Center in Aurora, and several libraries in Kane County.

Natasha Gubernov (b. Moscow, Russia) received her Master Degree in Advertisement from Moscow State University of Printing Arts, Russia, and worked in Moscow as an Interface Developer for multiple years before she started painting. In 2015, Natasha moved to Chicago area where she currently resides. Natasha works in a variety of mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, and digital media.

Jenny Halpern (b. Merrillville, Indiana) is an artist and graphic designer living and working in Chicago. Jenny has also worked as an art director and fashion illustrator in Washington DC and New York City. She is best known for her abstract computer art and oil paintings.

Mary Lou McNabb (b. Madison, Wisconsin) is from the Midwest and has lived in the Chicago area since 1985 when she began her career as a writer/editor for an international engineering journal. In the 1990s, her work changed to teaching. After earning her Doctor of Education degree, she specialized in reading, assessment and instructional technology. Since 2016, her work has explored a variety of media including sketchbooking, calligraphy, watercolor and oil painting, and digital art-making. She is currently completing the Certificate in Studio Art and Design at SAIC.

Andrea Karina (b. Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela) has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has followed studies in Lacanian Psychoanalysis and in the arts. She explores different media such as painting, writing and photography. In the future, she would like to pursue studies in both fields. Andrea has participated in various projects such as fanzines and national Venezuelan magazines.

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Tags: Adult Continuing Education Critique and Exhibition, Andrea Mendez, Celeste S. Diaz, Chicago, Illinois, Jenny Halpern, Loop, Mary Lou Mcnabb, Megan Elizabeth Euker, Natasha Gubernov, The Leroy Neiman Center, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Urban|Nature, Wynette Edwards