Join us for a night of artwork in our second and third-floor gallery spaces.

Learn more about the artists below:

Kurt Fondriest Artist Statement (he/him)

My artistic journey began as a search for solitude — a quiet escape during my teenage years where I could freely create. This space became my sanctuary, laying the foundation for a practice deeply rooted in emotional exploration and self-discovery. I draw influence from German expressionism, outsider art, and art therapy, and my work reflects these powerful currents. Each piece I create is a narrative — a visual diary capturing my experiences through painting, drawing, or sculpting. As a storyteller, I weave stories into my art, inviting every creation to hold a tale waiting to unfold.

My creative process resembles a child playing in a sandbox. I begin by layering diverse media without preconceived notions, allowing the materials to guide the journey. In this collaborative the symbolism of experience and expression finds its way into tangible form.

I love to let the materials speak, fostering a joint experience that reveals the inner dialogues of the soul. My studio is a playground for my inner child — a place where creativity is abound and discovery is endless.

In this rich artistic landscape, I invite viewers to engage with my work on a personal level, to explore narratives that encourage reflection and interpretation. Through the convergence of stories and materials, my art invites a deeper look into the possibilities of perception and meaning.

Adam Thomas Artist Statement (he,him)

Nature inspires my work and most recently Monet’s water lily paintings. The journey to my current work simply started out painting trees and clouds. As I became more confident, my pieces became more and more realistic. Today, I am on a new path of abstracting nature with the same goals of creating depth with high contrasts. Using a wax medium, I layer on color and remove, then reapply. This causes a great tension in my paintings, the same tension found in nature and in ourselves.

Color and Light: Weather I am painting abstract or representational works, I focus on dramatic lighting and pops of color. With high contrast and competing colors, the viewer can dive into a painting with a feast of experiences. I get a lot of m inspiration from how light affects our surroundings at different times of the day. In some of my more whimsical paintings, you may find bubbles or a single red tree. The bubbles evoke happy and joyful emotions where the red tree symbolizes strength.

Adam Thomas has shown in over 25 galleries and venues across the country. His paintings are in the permanent collections of several celebrities including a rock star, professional athlete, Broadway singers, famous chefs, and a few Real Housewives. Nordstrom is his biggest collector with seven stores in North America plus the executive offices hanging his work. In the October 2011 edition of Traditional Home Magazine, his work was featured in an interior design from one of the top interior designers in the country. Adam’s work has also appeared in various TV programs including NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” HGTV’s “Dina’s Party,” two episodes of HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of NJ”, “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” and STARZ “Boss.”

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Tags: Adam Thomas, Art Gallery Opening, Center on Halsted, Chicago, Kurt Fondriest, Lakeview