September 08, 2010

Dunn-Richmond center to host art exhibit

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- “American Surrealics” is the title of an exhibit opening this week in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

The exhibit runs Sept. 10 though Nov. 10 and features the art of Du Quoin native son Jack Harris. Harris said he discovered drawing, his first love, at the age of 10 and has been enmeshed in art ever since. He’s a fourth generation house painter and as he grew up, he also discovered the world of paint and what he could do with it.

With an interest in the surreal and abstract, Harris typically draws with markers and creates his paintings with acrylics. Harris, 51, describes himself as a “self taught” artist with “a great passion for color and shape.” He said after 40 years as an artist, it just keeps getting better and that he loves showing his work to others, hoping all will find something in his artwork that they can enjoy.

“American Surrealics” is the latest in an ongoing series of displays at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center featuring the works of artists from throughout the region. The display is in the atrium of the building, located at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale. Visitors are welcome to visit anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays to view the Harris collection.