Schools

Eight PSC Students Featured In Union Street Gallery Exhibit


Chicago Heights, IL–(ENEWSPF)– A picture is worth a thousand words.

Prairie State College (PSC) student Patricia Sharkey would agree. She recently won second place at the Union Street Gallery exhibit, “The Positive Image”, for her photograph, Misty Mountain NW Oregon. While the image features a sunset over the mountains in northwest Oregon, there is a story behind the image.

Sharkey, who bought her first camera when she was in the eighth grade, has visited almost every state to capture images. She has four states left to visit to complete her photographic journey of the U.S.—North Dakota, West Virginia, Alaska, and Hawaii. This was her first trip to Oregon.

“I went on an eight day camping trip with my husband with the sole purpose of taking photos,” said Sharkey, of Steger. “I stumbled upon the majestic mountain view on our last evening and was inspired to take this photo—the last photo I took on the trip.”

In addition to Sharkey’s image, seven other PSC students were chosen for the Union Street Galley exhibit. They are Michael Carr, of Lansing; Leonard Ferris, of Calumet City; Irene Ganas, of Crete; Shelly Hokanson, of Lockport; Evelyn Kloese, of Oak Forest; Beth Schimanski, of Crete; and Danielle Smith, of Crete.

Hokanson’s photo depicts the front of a building in historic downtown Lockport. While the image is simple, it also has a story behind it.

“My photo is a great juxtaposition of the quiet of more rural days and the hustle and bustle of modern life,” said Hokanson. “The mail in the mailbox told me they haven’t been home in some time, but as much as that door handle has been used, I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”

Hokanson is a professor of information technology at the college. She is enrolled in one of the college’s photography courses.

“I personally encouraged our students to participate, and they did,” said Don Kouba, professor and coordinator of the photography program at PSC. “I feel students need to look for ways to share their work and exhibit as often as possible. I’m very proud of the work of our people and the impact they had on the first ever all photography exhibit hosted by Union Street Gallery.”

The exhibit runs through February 26. The Union Street Gallery is located at 1527 Otto Boulevard, Chicago Heights. The hours are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and the second Friday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m.


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