Midwest Folk Art Gallery
One of the greatest strengths of Lakeview Museum's collection is its midwestern folk art collection. This collection comprises more than 600 works of art spanning three centuries of Midwestern creative expression. Most notable are the textile collection - including the Glick collections of Illinois coverlets and quilts - and the Illinois River wildfowl decoy collection. A separate Decoy Gallery features permanent and changing displays of works by the many carvers and manufacturers living and operating within the Mississippi Flyway during the late 19th and early to mid 20th centuries.
The Folk Art Galleries feature changing displays of important individual artists and manufacturers, including William D. Neher (American, 1868-1961), Louis O. Lussier (Canadian-American, 1832-1884), Charles Perdew (American, 1874-1963) and Anna Pottery (Anna, Illinois, 1859-1896). Other artworks include whimsical whirligigs and weathervanes, a carousel horse and artifacts from the Swedish colony of Bishop Hill.
Spirit of the Harvest: Straw Art in Illinois
May 21– September 19, 2010
A new exhibit in the Folk Art Gallery, curated in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Wheat Weavers (IAWW), explores the engaging history of straw art.
Straw can refer to any type of cereal plant, such as wheat, barley, rice, oats or rye. Various working techniques exist. The most common approach is plaiting, also known as braiding, which involves folding and knotting the straw. Another method is marquetry, in which pieces of dyed and flattened straw are inlaid on a substrate in intricate designs. It can also be in an appliquéd form. Straw can also be split, spun into “threads,” and woven into creations as delicate as lace. This type of artwork is called Swiss straw, because of its popularity in Switzerland.
A variety of examples of this intriguing art form will be on display, from both private collections and the museum’s Permanent Collection. More information about wheat weaving can be found at www.illinoiswheatweavers.org or www.nawwstraw.org. Members of the IAWW will also be offering one-day classes teaching weaving basics. (Please check back for updated information.)
