SALINE COUNTY -- Marion and Christy Poggas of Zeigler will have two separate exhibits of their works on display in both the main and west galleries of the Ella Elizabeth Hise Museum of Regional Art at Southeastern Illinois College beginning June 1 and running through Sept. 12.
Their show "An Intimate Portrait of Southern Illinois" will be shown in the main gallery, while "Freedom to Travel" will be displayed in the museum's west gallery.
Marion is known for photography while his wife Christy uses an array of media including graphite, ink, watercolor, colored pencils, markers and oil paint. Christy has also expanded her artistic interests to include basketry, jewelry and Oriental Sumi-e painting.
"Their works for each exhibit blend together beautifully to showcase both their views of southern Illinois and their travels," said museum curator Melody Bryant.
In An Intimate Portrait of Southern Illinois, Marion explains that the subject matter of his photographs have left quite the impression on him.
"These photos are from locations in our area that have made an impact on me, both visually and emotionally," said Marion. "Some of the locations are iconic, others are virtually unknown."
Christy echoes the sentiment by saying that revisiting many of the areas she grew up around in southern Illinois, including Giant City State Park Lodge, Cave-in-Rock, Cobden, old Shawneetown and numerous others have been the inspiration for the paintings in this exhibit.
"As a native of Southern Illinois, I have a lifetime of experiences and memories of the beautiful natural environments of our area," said Christy.
Freedom to Travel showcases the Poggas' travels while they have been retired.
"The paintings and photographs in this exhibit are a small part of our remembrances of travel throughout the United States," said Christy. "Like many people, we enjoy visiting new locations, experiencing and enjoying the local hospitality and cuisine, discovering the sights, and just being somewhere new."
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Marion worked as an architect for more than 35 years. His architecture training and career provided him with a very solid and relevant foundation of visual arts to build upon as he began to discover his photographic style.
Christy also worked as an architect for several years but her interest was always in teaching. She spent 25 years teaching in the architecture program at Southern Illinois University- Carbondale. Her early years of teaching were pre-computer and she spent this time honing her skills and sharing her love of drawing with her students in foundation courses such as freehand drawing-sketching, introduction to drafting.
A closing reception for both exhibits is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 12 from 1-2 p.m. and the museum will be open until 4 p.m.
Summer hours of operation for the VPAC Gallery are Monday- Thursday, 9 a.m. -- 4 p.m., the first Sunday of the month, 1-4 p.m. (holiday weekends may change dates), or by appointment. Regular hours of Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. -- 4 p.m. will resume on August 2. Admission is free. For more information, contact 618-252-5400 ext. 2599 or 2486 or email hisemuseum@sic.edu.
