Through the ART+VISION micro-exhibitions which are slated to rotate every 6-8 weeks, Eyeland of St. Johns seeks to reach out to local creatives, providing them with a platform for exposure and community connection. Eyeland seeks to create an engaging and synergistic environment, in line with the vision of moving “beyond the eye chart,” while becoming a key player in the evolution of the local community. The Eyeland of St. Johns goal to provide top-level eye care and eyewear to the North Shore remains.
Store manager Steve Burek feels that this is the perfect way to connect with artists and the community at large: “The unique eyewear we carry at Eyeland of St. Johns relies on the creativity of designers and artisans on a national and international level. We need to recognize that it starts right in our own backyard. Highland Park residents will be the first to tell you how much they appreciate and support the arts. They will also do whatever it takes to foster creative growth beyond their own city limits. ART+VISION is our way of contributing to that growth.”
The first artist in the series, Caren Rudman, explores the relationships between fluctuating boundaries of the physical body and the external world. She interprets body language as the factor that creates both connections and divisions between the self and others, which often begin at birth and evolve throughout adulthood. Duality and blurred lines between perception and reality inform much of the work, embodied as figures that drift and sway as manifestations of energy in motion. In regards to her chosen media, Caren says, “I incorporate accessible materials like pencils, oil pastels, and water-based oil paints…I have worked in my little cocoon I call home.” With a Masters Degree in photography from New York University, Caren’s long and varied career as an artist in New York and Chicago brought her back to Highland Park where she lives and works. Past exhibitions include “From Here To There” at Woman Made Gallery (Chicago), “Alumni Show” at 494 Gallery NYU (New York), “Small Works” at 80 Washington Square Gallery (New York), and “Choice,” a group show at A.I.R. Gallery (New York). She is currently represented by Artchiks, a Chicago-based art consulting firm.
Eyeland of St. Johns is synonymous with offering artfully crafted eyewear and sun wear to a stylish and discerning public with an eye for beauty and function. Their product selection ranges from sleek and minimal to vibrant and eclectic. Style and function merge in unparalleled designer collections from season to season, while attentive and knowledgeable customer service rounds out the experience for the fashion-forward shopper. Other locations include 18 West 1st Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521 (630-323-1100);
Media Contact: Marilyn Frank, Tel: 847-905-1410, x26; Email: marilyn.frank@
