This painting of Bell Smith Springs by landscape and wildlife artist Abraham Hunter is one of several that will be on display through March at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Morris Library. A reception to unveil the paintings is set for March 1 in the library’s first-floor rotunda. (Image provided)
February 21, 2025
SIU’s Morris Library to host March 1 event highlighting Shawnee Forest paintings
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Morris Library and the Special Collections Research Center will host a reception Saturday, March 1, to unveil paintings of the Shawnee National Forest by landscape and wildlife artist Abraham Hunter.
The exhibition is from 3-5 p.m. in the library’s first-floor rotunda and will include light refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.
Hunter’s paintings depict scenes of Garden of the Gods, Bell Smith Springs and Burden Falls. Created to support fundraising for the Shawnee Park and Climate Alliance (SPACA), the paintings will remain on display in Morris Library through the end of March, said Anne Marie Hamilton-Brehm, associate dean of library affairs.
Hunter is a Johnson County, Illinois, native who now lives near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He is expected to attend the reception and talk about his work and involvement with SPACA. He is a self-taught artist who grew up between Vienna and Goreville. At the age of 12, Hunter won the junior duck stamp contest. He is now partnered with Infinity Fine Art and Masters Editions Galleries.
Although Hunter now resides in Tennessee, his heart remains with Southern Illinois. When he heard about SPACA, the group dedicated to bringing a national park to Southern Illinois, Hunter reached out to see how he could help.
Hunter graciously offered to do a series of paintings of the Shawnee National Forest, allowing the group to sell prints to finance its efforts. He donated the originals to SPACA.
“We were speechless when Hunter presented us with the originals,” said Les Winkeler, SPACA president. “We instantly realized these are treasures that were, in our minds, priceless. Our plan for the paintings is to hang them in the visitor center when the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve becomes a reality.”
Prints can be purchased by contacting Winkeler at les@winkelerswingsandwildlife.com or calling 618-841-7862.