March Madness at NCI Artworks: An Exhibit of Work by Tony Seabolt & Jeanne O’Mellia – Opening Reception

NCI ARTworks to host an opening reception for the month-long exhibition of art by Tony Seabolt and Jeanne OMelia on March 14 at the NCI ARTworks Gallery from 6 to 8pm.

Jeanne OMelia studied art at Iowa State University and Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, and The Clearing, Door County, WI. Traveling extensively throughout the world, she makes line drawings in ink or paints in watercolor on location. Her drawings from travels and at home are the inspiration for cyanotype prints, acrylic paintings, and found-object sculptures, which she began creating twenty years ago from various materials, including metal scraps and cigarette butts. OMelia has taught art as part of the Illinois Arts in Education Artist Roster program. In Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica and San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, she volunteered to work with children creating art from found objects. Her work has been exhibited in the Quad Cities and other venues throughout Illinois and in Cook, MN. She also exhibited in Montreal and Atikokan, Quebec and won first place in Friends of Quetico Provincial Park art show. She was a delegate on a Friendship through the Arts Tour in China.

The NCI ARTworks exhibit contains her latest watercolors and acrylic paintings and collages as well as sculptures created within the last five years. Tony Seabolt is known for his abstract works, which consist of acrylic paintings and drawings that are a mixture of surrealism, cubism, and Gestalt psychology, in that they have elements that draw the viewer in and allow them to see things that their own imagination creates. His work also includes portraits, landscapes, and automobile-themed art.His experience comes from 35+ years of experimenting and working under other artists and his studies at Black Hawk College. He developed his artistic building blocks from early modern, mid-century, and Bauhaus influences.In recent years he has shown his works at Gallery West, Stardog Gallery, Galleria at Bucktown, Sol-Iron Gallery, The Artery, Gallery 114, and has participated in many MidCoast Arts events. His works are included in many private collections, both nationally and internationally.–endNCI ARTworks is a regional arts agency, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the arts community in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties through artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. Its mission also is to create venues that support public and private education, community events, economic development, and cultural tourism.

NCI ARTworks Gallery is located at 400 5th Street in Peru, in the west wing of the Westclox building. The organization is supported, in part, by the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

For more information visit www.nciartworks.com.

The Exhibit runs from March 14th to April 4, 2025. Admission is free.