Cincinnati-based artist Michael Coppage will give an artist talk during the closing reception of “Dialogue” and “The Remaining, Mourn…” exhibitions at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 in Altgeld Hall, Room 125. The closing reception of both exhibitions begins at 1 p.m. in the museum.
“Dialogue” allows for issue awareness and resolution through listening. Its goal is understanding. The artists whose work is displayed in this exhibition have worked on lens-based projects that have grown and developed organically over the years. This exhibition features selections from “Lines of Authority” by Alan Cohen, “Black Box” by Michael Coppage and “The Folded Map Project” by Tonika Lewis Johnson.
Michael Coppage has been exploring the impact of words and the negative connotations often associated with the word “black.” His Black Box project depicts frontal portraits of black men wearing black t-shirts with suggestive phrases beginning with the word Black such as “Black Sheep,” “Black Mail,” “Black Death,” etc. These photos are accompanied by podcast interviews with each of the individuals exploring the phrase and allowing the listener to begin to get to know the person depicted as an individual.
Coppage will speak about the development and evolution of the “Black Box” project in its various venue iterations.
Originally from Chicago, Coppage studied at Memphis College of Art and obtained his B.F.A. degree with an emphasis on sculpture. He has his M.F.A. degree from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) with an emphasis in sculpture and mixed media. Coppage’s art has transitioned into a method of creating civil conversation among those who view it.
Coppage has received Artswave’s Truth and Reconciliation grant, Awesome Foundation grants in New York and Philadelphia, the Ohio Arts Council’s Individual Excellence Award, presented a TEDx Talk titled “Everybody is Racist!…and it’s okay,” and his work is exhibited nationally.
Please check our website go.niu.edu/artmuseumevents for our hours, program schedule and instructions on how to join virtual talks. Have our event announcements and program information delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up at go.niu.edu/artmuseumsubscribe.
Calendar of Events
Sunday, Oct. 15
Closing Reception, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Join us for the closing reception of “Dialogue” and “The Remaining, Mourn…” in the NIU Art Museum Galleries. Refreshments provided.
Michael Coppage Artist Presentation Program to follow at 2:30 p.m. in Altgeld Hall 125
Sunday, Oct. 29 (New Date/Rescheduled)
SoulCollage® Workshop: An Artistic Approach to Loss and Letting Go
Every loss and letting go alters our sense of self, our identity, who we have known ourselves to be. SoulCollage® is an expressive arts practice founded by psychotherapist Seena B. Frost and is a gentle, accessible image-based practice for the exploration of our inner selves. Participants will make several collaged cards and engage in basic ways of listening with their cards about who they are. This workshop will be led by Rev. Dr. Martha Brunell, an experienced facilitator in SoulCollage® and in grief work across the country.
Limited to 16 participants, ages 17 and up.
Free, but registration is required by Thursday, Oct. 26; call 815-753-1936.
1 to 4 p.m., Altgeld Hall 125
About the NIU Art Museum
Serving Campus and Community by Balancing Traditional and Contemporary Art to Explore the Connections Made through Visual Culture.
Part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts‘ vibrant and active arts community on campus, the Northern Illinois University Art Museum is a resource for the NIU campus, local community and beyond. The NIU Art Museum is located on the first floor, west end of Altgeld Hall, at the corner of College Avenue and Castle Drive on the main campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
Parking on campus is now administered through AIMS Mobile Pay or Parking Pay Stations available in the Visitor Pay Lot located at 200 Carroll Ave and at accessible parking spaces in front of Lowden Hall with accessible aisles and route to Altgeld Hall. Campus parking is free on weekends and after 5 p.m. weeknights in nearby Lots 3 and 14.
The exhibitions and programs of the NIU Art Museum are sponsored in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Friends of the NIU Art Museum, the NIU Arts and Culture Fee, and the College of Visual and Performing Art’s Season Presenting Sponsors Shaw Media and WNIU/WNIJ.
Gallery Hours
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday
Noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday
Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday
And by appointment for group tours.
Exhibitions are free and open to the public.
