“Classic Chicago: The Art of Architecture”
Jack Nixon at EAG Gallery

A display of monumental grandeur is coming to Elmhurst this March. The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild (EAG) is proud to announce Classic Chicago: The Art of Architecture, an exhibition of large-scale, detailed graphite drawings by Jack Nixon. While practicing excellent draughtsmanship and graphite rendering, Jack Nixon documents grand urban landscapes and vignettes of Chicago’s buildings, monuments, and decorative stone fragments. His work glorifies the city’s late 19th and early 20th century Neoclassic, Gothic Revival, and Art Deco architectural styles and displays a superb sense of composition and space.

The exhibit takes place in the EAG Gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum (EAM), 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, from Tuesday, March 3, 2020 through Friday, March 27, 2020. Admission to the Elmhurst Art Guild Gallery is free; however, there is an admission charge if you wish to see the Elmhurst Art Museum during your visit.

All are welcome to the free artist reception on Friday, March 6, 2020 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm to meet and chat with the artist about his impressive show. Light refreshments will be served.

With a concern for saving our most beautiful buildings and public sculptures, displaying a new standard of old-world representation as a master of trompe l’oeil Realism, Mr. Nixon provides a uniquely contemporary view of architecture as art. His large and detailed graphite drawings are a direct response to his love for Chicago’s Loop, Grant Park, and North Michigan Avenue architecture and sculpture which he has depicted in the highest illustrative quality. Inspired by history’s great 18th century Italian printmaker, Giovanni Battista Piranesi; the fine engravings of the French multi-volume Description de l’Egypte (1809-1829); the imaginative mid 19th century Ecole des Beaux-Arts watercolor and gouache reconstructions of ancient Roman and Greek temples; and J.J. Audubon, Mr. Nixon has created a portfolio of master original drawings called: “Classic Chicago: the Art of Architecture.”

The artworks can be viewed in the EAG gallery for free during regular museum hours, Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm. If you wish to purchase any of the pieces from the show please inquire at the front desk. Leave time to enjoy the Elmhurst Art Museum during your visit. Admission to the museum is $12 adults / $10 seniors / free for EAM members, students and children under 18. All visitors are admitted free on the first Friday of each month. More information is available at elmhurstartistsguild.org and elmhurstartmuseum.org.

The EAG gallery is not-for-profit, operated by the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild. It features contemporary artworks in a variety of styles and media. In addition to four member shows each year, the guild hosts exhibitions of individual members’ artwork and invitational shows for significant local artists. Exhibits are partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council.

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Attached image: Jack Nixon, The Bowman And North Grant Park Commissioners Memorial, graphite on paper.

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Tags: Classic Chicago: The Art of Architecture, Elmhurst Artists' Guild, Jack Nixon