They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, and as the new month ushers in a season of renewal and reflection, the Western Illinois University Department of Art and Design is inviting the community to explore those themes through hands-on creation. From honoring the legacy of Women’s History Month to peering into the vast future of the cosmos, the upcoming “First Wednesday” event offers a diverse landscape of artistic discovery.
The event will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, across Garwood Hall and the Heating Plant Annex. In Garwood Hall, participants can engage with history through a 'Gods and Heroes' scavenger hunt or create ribbon badges for Women’s History Month. Looking toward the horizon, others can create watercolor paintings inspired by Hubble Telescope photography or explore ancient gyotaku aquatic prints and silkscreened zines.
At the Heating Plant Annex, the focus shifts to tactile art, featuring textured copper ring making and a high-energy “Cosmic Wheel Throwing Disco Inferno.” Additionally, the University Art Gallery will remain open late, showcasing the “home-themed” solo exhibitions of Andrea Kastner and Christine Knize.
The event is open to the public, though children under 13 must be supervised by an adult. Please note that the Garwood Hall elevator is currently out of order; attendees will be required to use the stairs to participate in activities located on the upper floors of that building.
For more information, contact the Department of Art and Design at 309-298-1549.
