Eastern Connecticut State University

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'Kingdom Animalia' Opens Art Gallery

Eastern's First Exhibition of Fall Semester

Willimantic, CT (09/12/2017) — From Aug. 31 to Oct. 12, Eastern Connecticut State University will be presenting "Kingdom Animalia," an exhibition in the Art Gallery of Eastern's Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC). The gallery held an opening reception on Sept. 7.

"Kingdom Animalia: Illustrations from New England" is curated by Emily Handlin, coordinator for gallery & museum operations at Eastern. The exhibition features artwork from 22 different illustrators, four of whom are Eastern faculty members. The exhibition is separated into three sections - sky, land and water - each showcasing a diversity of life on earth and incorporating societally pertinent messages.

"The motivation for the exhibition was Eastern's new illustration concentration, which began last year," said Handlin. "I hope that the exhibition would introduce illustration students to the wide range of media, techniques, styles and markets within the field. New England is home to so many wonderful illustrators, many of whom are dedicated educators themselves - I also wanted to showcase their work."

One of these illustrators is Terry Lennox, a longtime professor in Eastern's Art and Art History Department. Lennox has been working in illustration design, portraiture and sculpture for more than 20 years. She also happens to be one of the more socially conscientious artists contributing to "Kingdom Animalia." While Lennox has a special interest in working with local communities to bring about successful real-world design experiences, she decided to utilize this platform to bring light to the issue of pollution and deforestation.

"We are so fortunate to have this great opportunity and space," said Lennox, speaking to the relatively new Art Gallery and FAIC. "To have this is fabulous and I can only hope the students stop in to see this and wish to come back."

"Kingdom Animalia" drew a crowd of students, staff and community members to the opening reception. The exhibition is on display through Oct. 12. The gallery is open and free to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 1-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 2-5 p.m. For more information, call (860) 465-4659 (gallery) or (860) 465-4647 (office) or visit www1.easternct.edu/artgallery.

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