Meet Chris Berti At Illinois Museum

More than an artist, Chris Berti has been described as a teacher, historian, storyteller, natualist, and social commentator. Berti is an associate professor of art at Parkland College, Champaign, and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is, however, a self-taught stonework specialist, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a stonemason by trade. A nationally exhibited artist, Berti's works are in a number of private and major public collections, including that of the Illinois State Museum.

Continuing in the tradition of the First Sunday Series, three artists will discuss their work at three separate events as part of the Sunday Meet the Artist Series, held the third Sunday of the month (except December and January) during the run of the exhibition While All the Tribes of Birds Sang. Berti will speak on Sunday, October 21; Eleanor Spiess-Ferris of Chicago is scheduled for Sunday, November 18; and Peggy Macnamara, Artist-in Residence at the Field Museum, Chicago, will present on Sunday, February 17. These popular Sunday programs last a little over an hour and limited seating will be provided. There is no admission charge and reservations are not required. This series, in part, continues the celebration of the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery's 20th Anniversary Year, which began May 4.

The exhibition While All the Tribes of Birds Sang features historic and contemporary bird imagery including paintings, prints, sculpture, decoys, rare books, and bird mounts. The exhibition pays homage to our fascination with birds as an emotional and narrative symbol of flight, power, fancy, and social commentary. The exhibition runs through February 29, 2008. -- www.museum.state.il.us