Paper ‘Book environ’ exhibit offers opportunities for spiritual reflection

Music, devotional guides available Fridays through Oct. 9 in art gallery

The Eureka Magnolia BookEnviron exhibit by Meda Rives and Veda Rives allows viewers to walk among the over-sized pages of the sisters’ artists’ book, which are suspended from the gallery ceiling. The exhibit runs through Oct. 15 at Eureka College’s Burgess Memorial Hall Art Gallery.

Long strips of intricately designed handmade paper, threads and branches will transform the Burgess Hall Art Gallery at Eureka College into a “sacred space,” according to the artist sisters who created the pieces. 

Meda Rives and Veda Rives, both of Virden, will display their Eureka Magnolia BookEnviron exhibit through Oct. 15. The women will discuss their work at 5 p.m. Sept. 11 followed by an artists’ reception that runs until 7:30 p.m.

The exhibit represents the sisters’ artists’ book, but on a much larger scale than a normal artist’s book, said Meda Rives, who teaches art at Eureka College and Heartland Community College. Veda Rives is associate director of Normal Editions Workshop, the print research and publishing arm of the School of Art at Illinois State University.

 “An artist’s book is an artwork presented in the form of a book, but our “book environ” combines the forms of artists’ books and installations,” said Meda Rives. “It creates an environment for the interactive involvement of the viewers, who don’t just look at a page or spread of a book; they enter, explore and experience the space created and shaped by the book.” The work includes 14-feet-long strips of handmade paper. “Its commanding presence dominates the gallery,” said Meda Rives.

Accompanying the exhibit will be opportunities for self-guided spiritual reflection, including music and printed devotional guides supplied by Eureka College chaplain the Rev. Bruce Fowlkes, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Friday from Sept. 11 through Oct. 9.

The gallery is located on the third floor of Burgess Memorial Hall, 300 E. College Ave. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and by appointment by calling (309) 467-6866. Admission is free.    

###

Contact:

Michele Lehman

Media Relations Coordinator

mlehman@eureka.edu

(309) 467-6318