Showcasing the rich diversity of visual art.
The Ferguson Art Gallery at Concordia University Chicago features the works of established and up-and-coming Chicago-area artists throughout the year, including special events celebrating African-American perspective, Hispanic heritage, women’s history and Chicago Artists’ Month.
The Current Season
Alumni and Student Art Show
by April Payton Parviz BA '11, Tim Fote BA ’10, Caleb Egland BA ’24 and CUC students
August 24 - September 25, 2026
Reception: Sunday, September 20; 1 to 3 p.m.; Alumni Artist Talk at 2 p.m.
Three inspirational LCMS art alumni: April Payton Parviz BA '11 (Graphic Design major and Art minor), Tim Fote BA ’10 (PK-12 Visual Arts Education and Art double major; Theology and Psychology double minor), and Caleb Egland BA ’24 (Graphic Design and Marketing double major) share their art and professional experiences alongside the work of students enrolled in CUC art classes. The variety of works on display will showcase drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, fiber art, ceramics, sculpture and more.
Between the Lines (Letters from WWII) by Marilyn Dale
by Marilyn Dale
October 12 - November 13, 2026
Reception: Sunday, November 8; 1 to 3 p.m.; Alumni Artist Talk at 2 p.m.
The solo exhibition of evocative mixed-media paintings by Marilyn Dale is inspired by 500 letters written by her father serving as an Army infantryman in the Pacific Theater during World War II to her mother back home in the U.S. Dale incorporates many of the actual letters, personal photographs, devotionals, and wartime ephemera into the layered surfaces of her paintings. The work explores three emotional currents that run through the correspondence: longing—for love, family, and normalcy; faith—in survival, in God, and in the power of prayer; and camaraderie—the constant, unspoken bond between soldiers who endured the unendurable together. Between the Lines is both an act of remembrance and a quiet revelation of how love took shape not in grand gestures, but in daily words, faithfully written across oceans and silence.
Marilyn Dale is a contemporary painter whose original works have been juried into numerous galleries and exhibitions. She served as the president of the Naperville Art League and taught a variety of art classes at North Central College continuing education, the Naperville Art League, and DuPage Art League. She also led the Art & Environment Committee for her church for over 10 years as well as designed large scale works for several churches across the US.
Prior Season (2025-2026)
Modern Quilt Studio
by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr
March 16, 2026, to May 1, 2026
Reception: Sunday, April 12, 1 to 3 pm; Artist Talk at 2 pm
Modern quilts rethink the possibilities of the American quilt as being expressive of the time in which we live. As pioneers of the Modern Quilt Movement, Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr exhibit a selection of quilts known for their original modern fabrics, unique prints and colorful yarn dyes. Weeks and Bill are celebrating their 27th year as professional quiltmakers and co-founders of Modern Quilt Studio, a design studio in Oak Park, Illinois.
They are prolific designers of original modern fabrics, have written six books, including the first book on modern quilting, publish internationally recognized Modern Quilts Illustrated, the first magazine exclusively dedicated to modern quilting and host quilt-alongs with more than 1200 attendees at each event. Their work has been featured widely in the international press including The New York Times, TIME magazine, O: The Oprah Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and Dwell among others. They have taught extensively throughout the US, Canada, Japan (in Japanese), England, Australia and France (in French). In addition, Weeks teaches two online classes, and Bill is director of the Graphic Design program at Dominican University.
Senior Capstone Exhibition
January 5 - February 20, 2026
Reception: Sunday, January 25,
1 to 3 p.m.; Artist Talk at 2 p.m.
Graduating seniors: Emma Joy Balma, Maciej Bednarz, Nathan Goman, Ali Guerrero, Cesar Hernandez Gonzalez, Kierra Mohalley, Guadalupe Patino, Katerina Trankina and Irene Danai Valdovinos exhibit exemplary works of art that span their studies at Concordia University Chicago. Stop by to congratulate and potentially collect art created by our soon-to-be alumni.
Alumni and Student Art Show
by Holly Hanrahan, BA '23, Molly Miklosz BA '19 and CUC students
August 25 - September 26, 2025
Reception and Artist Talk: Sun., Sept. 7, 1 to 3 p.m.;
Artist Talk at 2 p.m.
View an eclectic array of art from two Concordia-Chicago art alumni—Holly Hanrahan BA ’23 (Pre-Art Therapy and Psychology double major) and Molly Miklosz BA ’19 (Pk-12 Art Education major and Spanish minor) — and current students enrolled in CUC art classes. The variety of works on display will showcase drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber art, ceramics, paper-making and more.
CLASSICAL SPACES, CURRENT VIEWS
by participants of the Classical Education study trips
October 13 – November 14, 2025
Reception: Sunday, November 9; 1 to 3 p.m.; ARTIST TALK at 2 p.m.
The group exhibition of photography and mixed-media collage is inspired by the recent Classical Education trips to Italy and Greece through Concordia University Chicago.
HOW (NOT) TO READ
by Yoonshin Park
March 16 - May 3
Reception: Sunday, March 16, 1 – 3 p.m.; Artist Talk at 1:30 p.m.
This exhibition reimagines the book as a multidimensional object, prioritizing material exploration, sensory engagement and unconventional structures over traditional narratives. Each piece translates the experience of engaging with books into an immersive journey, blending touch, scent, light, movement and sound.
Yoonshin Park is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and educator. She holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago.
Senior Capstone Exhibition
by Darrell Carter Jr., Patryk Dabrowski, Miranda Hodul, Jennifer Medina-Garduno, Glenford Pollard, Luis Saenz and Mariah Trevino
January 6 - February 21, 2025
Reception: Sunday, Jan. 26, 2 – 4 p.m.; Artist Talk at 3 p.m.
Graduating seniors exhibit exemplary works of art that span their studies at Concordia University Chicago. Stop by to congratulate and potentially collect art created by our soon-to-be alumni.
(re)generations
by Dave Sobotka
October 13 - November 16, 2024
Reception: Sun., Nov. 10, 2 – 4 p.m.; Artist Talk at 3 p.m.
Through photography, natural artifacts portray cycles of life, death and rebirth. As a fine artist and graphic designer, Sobotka strives to creatively communicate meaningful messages.
Peggy Macnamara: Lichens, Tiny Science and other Paintings from the Field Museum
by Peggy Macnamara
March 18 - May 4, 2024
Reception: Sun., Apr. 21, 2 – 4 p.m.; Artist Talk at 3 p.m.
Blending art with science, watercolor wildlife paintings embrace the life of lichens, track patterns of bird and insect migrations and investigate the inhabitants of marine ecosystems.
Macnamara has traveled all over the world with scientists to paint nature and illustrate conservation efforts. Currently serving as the only Artist-in-Residence at the Field Museum since 1990, she has published several books in collaboration with scientists.
The gallery is directed by CUC Arts Division chair, professor of art, artist and arts advocate, Nikkole Huss, M.F.A. If you are interested in more information about an artist’s work or a particular exhibition, please contact her at Nikkole.Huss@CUChicago.edu.
If you are an established artist interested in exhibiting, please send a show proposal: 20 sample images (JPG format via digital image sharing), image inventory (title, media, dimensions, date), resume, exhibition history and artist’s statement to Nikkole Huss.
Please note, exhibitions are scheduled up to two years in advance.
Hours
Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Location
The Ferguson Art Gallery is located at Concordia University Chicago in Kretzmann Hall, just off Bonnie Brae and Thomas Streets. Bonnie Brae is one block west of Harlem Ave. Free parking is located in the parking structure on Bonnie Brae.