Arts & Culture

KCC Holds an annual High School Art Exhibition which is on public display. The exhibition will be held in the art gallery in the Arts & Sciences Building (R103), and continues into the Harold and Jean Miner Memorial Library on KCC’s Riverfront Campus.

Entry Guidelines

The next exhibition is March 3  - 19th. Jurors are KCC art faculty. Please read the following information carefully.

Eligibility

This exhibition is open to high school students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in art classes. Students may submit one (1) work that was completed in any art class within the last year (Spring 2023, Fall 2023 and Spring 2024). Homeschool students are encouraged to participate as well. 

Fee

There is no entry fee for this exhibition.

Specifications

All artwork should be ready to hang, with wires or hanging materials in the proper orientation for the artwork. Entries that are not ready to hang or that fall apart will be disqualified. 

2-D Artwork - should be framed under plexiglass or matted and securely attached to a sturdy backing such as foam core. All plexiglass must have the safety film removed before delivery. 

Framed artwork needs a secure wire on the back. The wire must be towards the upper third of the frame, well secured, and not loose.

Do not tape the wire to the back. Sawtooth hangers may be used if properly attached to the piece. Artwork should be matted if not framed, and able to be hung. Please use framing wire rather than smooth. 

Three dimensional/3-D - Display cases are available for small works and floor pedestals for larger pieces.

Submission & tagging

Printed and electronic tags are required for each entry. Entry tags are at HS Art Exhibition Entry Form starting in February.

HS Art Exhibition Entry Form

TAGS Form: Please attach completed tag to the back of each student work. 

Important steps:

1. Fill out the electronic entry form tags completely.
2. Make an appointment to submit works by phoning or emailing Chelise at 815-802-8717 or cslowik@kcc.edu. Delivery dates are February 22 - March 1. There is no weekend delivery. Appointments must be at least 3 business days after the forms are submitted.
3. Attach the printed to the back of all 2-D work and to the bottom of 3-D works. 
4. Attach the printed Tag B gently to the front lower right-hand side of each work. (REMOVE #5)

Awards event: March 20, 6-7:30 P.M.

Artists and their guests are invited to a reception and awards event Wednesday, March 20. The reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Art Department hallway where the work is being displayed. Refreshments will be served. Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. in KCC’s Miner Memorial Library.

Awards - Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards will be given in these categories: Painting; Black and white drawing/design; Color drawing/design; Three-dimensional work; and Photography/electronic imaging. Jurors are KCC art faculty.

$800 High School Art Exhibit Scholarship - All participants are eligible to apply. The scholarship can be used toward tuition, books, and supplies for any KCC course. The scholarship winner will be chosen by a review of exhibit pieces and a completed KCC Foundation scholarship application. More information is on the KCC Foundation website - click Apply Now. 

Certificates of achievement - All exhibiting students will receive a participation award.

Questions and more info:

Electronic tags: Humanities and Social Sciences Division - HSSDivision@kcc.edu or 815-802-8704.
Other inquiries, including delivery/pickup: Chelise Slowik - cslowik@kcc.edu or 815-802-8717.

Calendar

Liability

The majority of students participating in this exhibition do not have an established market price for their work (obtained by actively selling) and cannot, therefore, expect insurance coverage for their work (except for the cost of materials). The gallery will not assume liability for loss or damage of entries while in transit. Cost of works stolen or vandalized will be assumed by the gallery (recovery cost will be limited to materials only). Every reasonable precaution and care will be taken in handling and protecting entries while present on the KCC campus.

KCC Student Exhibition Entry Form

Kankakee Community College Art Gallery
Harold and Jean Miner Memorial Library lower level
April 15 - May 7, 2025
Closing Reception May 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

This exhibition is open to students who enrolled in KCC art classes. Eligible artworks are those which were not shown in previous KCC art shows and were completed in Spring and Fall 2023 – Spring 2024.

Entry Guidelines

Please read this page carefully before filling out the entry form below and tagging your work.

Eligibility

This exhibition is open to students who enrolled in KCC art classes. Students may submit two works or three works per class that were completed for class credit. It must have been completed within the past academic year.

Specifications

All two-dimensional artwork must be ready to hang.

Paintings must have eye screws and a picture hanging wire attached to the back, no saw tooth hangers.

Drawings, 2-D designs and photography must be mounted on a backing, matted and/or framed.

Three-dimensional entries are encouraged, with glass cases available for small works and floor pedestals for larger pieces. All three-dimensional work must be solidly constructed. Any work which falls apart will not be included in the show.

All works submitted must be tagged. Please attach a printed copy of the completed entry form to the back, upper right corner of all flatwork and to the bottom of or attached with a string to three-dimensional works.

Return of Work

All art must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit. No work will be released until after the reception. Please see your instructor if there are other needs or problems. Artwork MUST be picked up by the end of finals week. We are not responsible for artwork not picked up by the student.

Liability

Most students participating in this exhibition do not have an established market price for their work (obtained by actively selling) and cannot, therefore, expect insurance coverage for their work, except for the cost of materials.

The gallery will not assume liability for loss or damage of entries while in transit. Cost of works stolen or vandalized will be assumed by the gallery (recovery cost will be limited to materials only). Every reasonable precaution and care will be taken in handling and protecting entries while present on the KCC campus.

Entry Forms Must be Submitted Electronically

Use this fillable online entry form to print your artwork’s tags. In addition to printing out a completed entry form and attaching it to your artwork, you must submit your entry form electronically.

Email Chelise Slowik if you have any questions regarding the submission forms at cslowik@kcc.edu.

Chicago Nike

Chicago Nike, created by Barry Tinsley, was installed July 14-15, 2014, on the north lawn of KCC’s Riverfront Campus.

It was created in 1998 for the Pier Walk exhibition at Navy Pier, and is fabricated from 2 inch plate steel and granite. The steel was purchased from Belson Steel in Bourbonnais and the granite is from Cold Spring Granite Company in Cold Spring, Minn.

The title Chicago Nike refers to the strong gestural movement of the sculpture reflecting the dynamic and vitality of the city and the historically famous Greek sculpture, Nike of Samothrace, Tinsley said.

About the sculptor

Barry Tinsley has a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, and two master’s degrees from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He has participated in more than 60 one-man and group exhibitions and has placed over 35 commissioned sculptures in public spaces in the United States, Middle East, and Europe.

Meridian IX

Meridian IX, created in memory of renowned poet Paul Celan, now greets students and visitors to KCC. The sculptor is Ed McCullough.

Meridian IX was dedicated during a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011. It is the ninth in the 10-part series of Meridian outdoor sculptures McCullough is creating. The 10th Meridian sculpture is expected to be complete by the end of 2011.

Other Meridian sculptures can be found in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. One other sculpture from the series can be found in Kankakee County. Meridian IV, installed in 2000, is in Conrad Park in Momence. It is memorial to the late Admiral Mike Boorda, who grew up in Momence.

For more information, watch a video of the installation, with the artist’s commentary.

Skylark

On September 24, 1978, during Illinois Arts week and days before KCC’s 10th Anniversary, Skylark—KCC’s first sculpture—was dedicated to the college’s first board of trustees: Ralph Francis, Mary Fraser, James Geist, Merlin Karlock, John Rooney, Kenneth Seebach & Kenneth Wiser. The $3,000 cost was funded through a bequest left to the college by William F. Brandenburg and the Illinois Arts Council.

The artist, Alice Richheimer Culbert Wolk lived in Glencoe at the time the work was purchased. After being completed in 1977, the 8 foot, 6 inch tall “Skylark” was mounted in July, 1978. Made of corten steel, and weighing 800 pounds, Skylark was originally on KCC’s front lawn. It had at least one other roost before being moved in 2014 to be alongside the college’s main drive.

At the dedication in 1978, Dr. Janet Heinicke, head of the visual arts program, described the piece:

“The skylark bird is an appropriate educational symbol. In literature, the skylark is referred to as a soaring bird with distinct, if not loud, voice. Chaucer called it the messenger of the day. Elizabeth Barrett Browning noted ‘soaring music within the soaring lark.’

“In light of education, such images conjure thoughts of lofty, bold, clear and fresh ideas that prosper in educational institutions of a democracy and give us insight into ourselves and our world. Skylark, distinguished by its curves that give an impression of infinity, and its contrasting earthborn foundation, connotes two characteristics of the public community college. One, a continuum of thought and intellect reminiscent of the skylark bird and, two, an institution whose roots are firmly embedded in the land and the people of the land known as the community college district.”

Tin Man

Tin Man, created by Andrew Arvanetes and installed on KCC grounds in September 2014, greets visitors near the river on the north lawn at KCC.

“I grew up in Kankakee with Helgeson Park and the Kankakee River practically in my back yard and many trips to the state park and on the river canoeing.

So, the river was very important when I found out that I could get within eye shot of the water. That was really important to me. Since it’s a walking figure, to be so close to the paths, that was important, too.” ~Andrew Arvanetes, on location of Tin Man at KCC

About the sculptor

Andrew Arvanetes has an associate degree from KCC, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He lives in DeKalb and his work is mostly outdoor sculptures, gallery-size work, and low-relief wall constructions. He has exhibited throughout the United States, as well as in public art projects. Arvenetes has produced sculptures professionally since 1985.

On KCC’s Riverfront Campus, it is hard to miss the trees and greenspaces. Here are more details about trees, open spaces, planting and landscaping on KCC’s Riverfront Campus south of River Road in Kankakee.

The Past (1968-2010s)

In December 1968, Kankakee Community College acquired 176.6 acres (“more or less,” according to the Quit Claim Deed from the Illinois Department of Conservation) of former Kankakee State Hospital/Shapiro Developmental Center farm ground. It was almost completely devoid of trees. The college spent the next several years establishing temporary buildings (now known as West Campus) and constructing the original red brick buildings on what is now referred to as the Riverfront Campus.

Dr. L.H. Horton, Jr. began his tenure as KCC’s 3rd president in January 1977. Horton felt one way to beautify the campus was by adding trees. He was a strong believer in avoiding a monoculture by planting a variety of trees, thus lowering the chances of elimination from disease.

According to recollections of KCC retirees John Haley (KCC years: 1975-2008) and Larry Stevenson (KCC years: 1984-2004), some tree planting started before Horton’s arrival, perhaps late in 1975 or 1976. Some trees were planted in the island areas of parking lots, along the east side of the main entrance road, and on the golf course. KCC employed many teenagers during the summer through the Comprehensive Employment & Training Act (CETA) to work with the Physical Plant staff on outdoor projects, including planting bare-root trees. Haley estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 trees were planted by the CETA workers.

In August of 1978, professors from the University of Illinois’ Landscape Architecture department brought seven graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in “Advanced Design Studio” to evaluate KCC’s campus and propose a land development master plan for the college. Data was collected regarding soil type, climate, land use, native vegetation. A brief questionnaire was also distributed to staff.

On May 23, 1979, the land development plan was presented. It included goals such as beautifying the site; encouraging more student and community use of the campus; creating a campus image; emphasizing the natural, flowing, and pastoral forms of Illinois landscape; and considering long-range planning.

In the grass area south of the college’s main entrance, Horton prescribed specific varieties and placement of trees. He also recommended establishing tree groves in several locations, some with trees planted in honor of former trustees, retiring employees, and graduating student leaders. The groves would reduce the acreage of grass that required frequent mowing, thus cutting maintenance costs. Locating large groves west of the permanent buildings was selected to moderate the effects of prevailing westerly winds.

In 1980, the Kankakee Valley Park District wanted to clear mature trees from some of its property east of KCC, and KCC accepted some of those trees to be planted on the golf course and other locations where larger trees could be utilized. A commercial tree spade moved and planted 100 trees from Park District property to KCC. Haley and Stevenson recall that many were 20’ or taller oak trees!

Another good relationship in this general time period started when a researcher from the Morton Arboretum was interested in having a number of new hybrid trees planted on KCC’s campus to see how they would do in this environment. These trees were planted near student parking lots, the baseball and softball fields. Periodic visits were made to KCC by Arboretum arborists to evaluate the trees.

In the early 1980s, at KCC’s new baseball field, 20-foot evergreen trees were planted outside the centerfield fence to create a “batter’s eye” – a contrasting dark background so hitters could see pitched balls more easily. Smaller evergreens were planted around the perimeter of the outfield fence.

Horton also encouraged establishment of a prairie acre in the area northwest of West Campus. Seeds from plants and grasses native to long-gone Illinois prairies were planted. Annual burns would be required to maintain a true prairie culture. After several years following this practice, the Kankakee Fire Department expressed concern about the danger of the fire spreading, so the burns were discontinued. As a result, the Horton Prairie Acre is no longer a true prairie area because trees, brush, and other non-native plants have established a significant presence.

Shortly before his retirement from KCC in 1987, Horton said “I felt that if we were going to market the school and encourage people to come here, we had to have an attractive environment. So, we tried to really work on all aspects of the campus environment to make it a better place to work, a place that students and staff could be proud of, and a place that you would want to attend. Our work isn’t done, but at least I think we’ve made a start on it.”

Following Horton’s presidency, college leadership and Physical Plant Department allowed trees to continue growing as they continued maintaining and keeping up the areas previously planted.

The Present (2020s)

KCC has acquired a few more acres to reach 185 acres of land. Approximately 57 acres is farmland, and 64 acres is open space which includes tree groves. The trees and groves planted in the 1980s and earlier are now mature. The college has established a Tree Conservation Program to protect tree and plant species on the Riverfront Campus and at extension centers. College grounds maintenance is led by George Mateja. The college also receives guidance and looks to expertise from Katelynn Ohrt, director of KCC’s credit division Horticulture Program; and staff of the University of Illinois Extension Office.

In 2017, large areas of underbrush were cleared along both sides of College Drive. The project created a better view of the golf course on the west side and the Student Grove on the east side of the drive. Some long-covered markers were revealed, as were quality tree specimens which didn’t have as healthy of a growth environment until they were uncovered.

Every two years, the Horticulture Program offers “Landscape Design.” Selected trees around the college are marked with ribbons for students in the class to identify. New trees are also being planted to round out the needs of the tree identification component in this class.

The grounds staff has been tagging and identifying trees in the various groves, including the Staff Grove, Student Grove, Trustee Grove, south courtyard, and on the golf course. More than 150 trees have been tagged. The corresponding tree information is kept in a Campus Tree Log.

The golf course has three holes, is open to the public, and free to use. The greens are not maintained because it would require a watering routine that can’t be sustained with current staffing and water resources.

The KCC golf course is also being used as a tree nursery with about 50 trees in stages of growth from 5 months to 3 years. Twenty new trees were planted there in 2021. This nursery includes Buckeye, Elm and Red Sunset Maple. The first trees to be replanted out of this location were moved from the nursery in 2021.

A new fruit tree orchard is in its early stages. Five apple trees are planted in a fenced-in area to protect them from deer. More trees will be added each year until the orchard is established. The fruit tree area is being developed in cooperation with the Horticulture Program.

Trees and other landscape elements have been removed as well. From 2017-21, more than 350 Ash trees were taken down after being stricken by the Emerald Ash Borer. A former “vita course,” which wound around the northern part of the campus no longer has the stations to stop and complete designated exercises. The crushed stone path still exists and is a frequently used walking path.

The Retiree Tree Grove, which started in the 1970s, still has at least 40 different varieties of growing and mature trees, Mateja estimates. Due to overcrowding and maintenance issues, the practice of designating a new tree for retirees was discontinued in 2015. A retiree Paver Plaza was established to honor retirees, including those who already had a tree.

Mateja is in the process of completing a certified arborist course through International Society of Arboriculture. There are two reasons that are considered when KCC decides to cut down, cut back, prune or remove trees and plantings: safety and security of the college and the health of the tree or surrounding trees.

The Future

KCC is working toward becoming recognized by the Tree Campus Higher Education program, which is an Arbor Day Foundation program.

The following programs will continue as part of the college’s Tree Conservation Program:

• Tree preservation and propagation
• Evaluation for safety and security, and for the health of trees and surrounding trees
• Pruning, cutting back, and removal of trees which are not healthy, or which impede other goals of the program

The college grounds department will continue collaborate with the University of Illinois Extension and KCC’s Horticulture program to

• Tag different tree and identify different tree species.
• Plant new varieties of trees.

Note: KCC gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Larry Huffman, Ph.D., (KCC years: 1977-2001 and 2009) for his research and descriptions which were the source for much of this information.

The French Canadian Heritage Wall connects visitors to photographs, video interviews and family histories from the French Canadian Interview Project website. The project was conducted by KCC Professor James Paul, D.A., and his Western Civilization students from 2000 to 2006. The wall’s concept was developed by Dr. Paul and KCC Professor Steve DePasquale and the display was designed by Diane Soltis, a KCC graphic artist.

Overall, the display fosters interest in, and appreciation for, the primary cultural group that settled Kankakee County and the surrounding area. It is 12 feet long and 5 feet tall, and allows visitors to interact with the website via QR codes.

The project was made possible by donors Bill Dyon, Cecile LaMarre Enright and the Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society.

A reception to mark the installation was held Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 at 4 p.m. in Room L312.