Arts & Culture
KCC Holds an annual High School Art Exhibition. This exhibition is open to high school students (grades 9-12) who are enrolled in art classes.
The exhibition will be displayed in the art gallery in the Arts & Sciences Building (R103) and in the Harold and Jean Miner Memorial Library on KCC’s Riverfront Campus.
Entry Guidelines
The next exhibition is March 21 - April 6, 2022. Jurors are KCC art faculty. Please read the following information carefully.
Eligibility
This exhibition is open to high school students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in art classes. Students may submit one (1) work that was completed in any art class within the last year (Spring 2021, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022).
Fee
There is no entry fee for this exhibition.
Specifications
Students should see their instructor for additional help in preparing work. Entries that are not ready to hang or that fall apart will be disqualified.
Flat work/2-D - must be framed under plexiglass (glass not allowed) or securely wrapped in acetate or shrink-wrap over a sturdy backing such as foam core. All plexiglass must have the safety film removed before delivery.
Securely fasten wires to artwork. Double-check the screws holding the wire in place so there is no slipping. Wire should be no more than 1/3 of the way from the top of the piece and must be fairly taut. Do not knot the wire. Wrap it multiple times around itself for a secure hold. Do not attach wire or string with tape. If necessary, hook paper clips into backing and attach wire to clips.
Three dimensional/3-D - Display cases are available for small works and floor pedestals for larger pieces.
Submission & tagging
Printed and electronic tags are required for each entry. Entry tags are at HS Art Exhibition Entry Form starting in February.
Important steps:
- Fill out the electronic entry form tags completely, including Tag B.
- Print the tags before submitting. If you submit before printing, the information will be lost. Each file is sent automatically when you click Submit. A confirmation email will be sent to the email on the form.
- Make an appointment to submit works by phoning or emailing Humanities and Social Sciences Division - HSSDivision@kcc.edu or 815-802-8704. Hours for delivery are 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., March 9, 10, 14 & 15; and 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Fri. March 11. There is no weekend delivery. Appointments must be at least 3 business days after the forms are submitted.
- Attach the printed Tag A to the back, upper right corner of all 2-D work and to the bottom of 3-D works.
- Attach the printed Tag B gently to the front lower right-hand side of each work.
Tag & submission notes
- Information is taken directly from the submitted tags, so please make sure all spelling is correct.
- Please do not type tags in all capital or all lowercase letters.
- All submitted works must include a fully completed entry form. Without a complete form, the work will not be displayed.
- At the time of your appointment, drop off entries in Room R105, a classroom in the KCC Art Department. The room is locked and inaccessible at other times.
- Schools are strongly encouraged to make group deliveries.
- Late work will be accepted for pieces in other shows during the posted delivery dates. Email cslowik@kcc.edu if you will have late works. Include the number and date they will arrive. Tags must still be submitted by March 15.
Awards event: April 6
Artists and their guests are invited to a reception and awards event Wednesday, April 6. The reception begins at 6 p.m. in the Art Department hallway where the work is being displayed. Refreshments will be served. Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. in KCC’s Miner Memorial Library.
Awards - Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards will be given in these categories: Painting; Black and white drawing/design; Color drawing/design; Three-dimensional work; and Photography/electronic imaging. Jurors are KCC art faculty.
$800 High School Art Exhibit Scholarship - All participants are eligible to apply. The scholarship can be used toward tuition, books, and supplies for any KCC course. The scholarship winner will be chosen by a review of exhibit pieces and a completed KCC Foundation scholarship application. More information is on the KCC Foundation website - click Apply Now. Deadline for applying is March 1, 2020.
Certificates of achievement - All exhibiting students will receive a participation award.
Return of work - April 6-8
All art must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit. Works may not be removed before 7 p.m. on April 6. Deadline for picking up exhibited work is 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8. Work remaining after this date will be returned to the school C.O.D. Please call if there are any other needs or problems.
Questions and more info:
Electronic tags: Humanities and Social Sciences Division - HSSDivision@kcc.edu or 815-802-8704.
Other inquiries, including delivery/pickup: Chelise Slowik - cslowik@kcc.edu or 815-802-8717.
Calendar
| March 9-15 | Delivery of work to KCC’s Art Department, Room R105 (appointments are required) |
| March 21 | Exhibition opens. |
| April 6 | Awards Reception 6-7:30 p.m., R103 Gallery (Art Department Hallway) & Juror’s Critique at 7 p.m., Miner Memorial Library |
| April 6 | Show closes at 7:30 p.m. after reception. Pick-up of exhibited works begins. |
| April 8 | Final date to pick up exhibited works by 3:30 p.m. |
Liability
The majority of students participating in this exhibition do not have an established market price for their work (obtained by actively selling) and cannot, therefore, expect insurance coverage for their work (except for the cost of materials). The gallery will not assume liability for loss or damage of entries while in transit. Cost of works stolen or vandalized will be assumed by the gallery (recovery cost will be limited to materials only). Every reasonable precaution and care will be taken in handling and protecting entries while present on the KCC campus.
Kankakee Community College Art Gallery
Harold and Jean Miner Memorial Library lower level
April 25 - May 4, 2022
Closing Reception May 4, 5-6 p.m.
This exhibition is open to students who enrolled in KCC art classes. Eligible artworks are those which were not shown in previous KCC art shows and were completed in Spring and Fall 2021 – Spring 2022.
Entry Guidelines
Please read this page carefully before filling out the entry form below and tagging your work.
Eligibility
This exhibition is open to students who enrolled in KCC art classes. Students may submit two works or three works per class that were completed for class credit. It must have been completed within the past academic year.
Specifications
All two-dimensional artwork must be ready to hang.
Paintings must have screw eyes and a picture hanging wire attached to the back, no saw tooth hangers. Please do not attach wire or string with tape.
Drawings, 2-D designs and photography must be mounted on a backing, matted and/or framed.
Three-dimensional entries are encouraged, with glass cases available for small works and floor pedestals for larger pieces. All three-dimensional work must be solidly constructed. Any work which falls apart will not be included in the show.
All works submitted must be tagged. Please attach a printed copy of the completed entry form to the back, upper right corner of all flatwork and to the bottom of or attached with a string to three-dimensional works.
Return of Work
All art must remain on display for the duration of the exhibit. No work will be released until after the reception. Please see your instructor if there are other needs or problems.
Liability
Most students participating in this exhibition do not have an established market price for their work (obtained by actively selling) and cannot, therefore, expect insurance coverage for their work, except for the cost of materials.
The gallery will not assume liability for loss or damage of entries while in transit. Cost of works stolen or vandalized will be assumed by the gallery (recovery cost will be limited to materials only). Every reasonable precaution and care will be taken in handling and protecting entries while present on the KCC campus.
Entry Forms Must be Submitted Electronically
Use this fillable online entry form to print your artwork’s tags. In addition to printing out a completed entry form and attaching it to your artwork, you must submit your entry form electronically.
Email Chelise Slowik if you have any questions regarding the submission forms at cslowik@kcc.edu.
KCC Greenspaces
On KCC’s Riverfront Campus, it is hard to miss the trees and greenspaces. Here are more details about trees, open spaces, planting and landscaping on KCC’s Riverfront Campus south of River Road in Kankakee.
The Past (1968-2010s)
In December 1968, Kankakee Community College acquired 176.6 acres (“more or less,” according to the Quit Claim Deed from the Illinois Department of Conservation) of former Kankakee State Hospital/Shapiro Developmental Center farm ground. It was almost completely devoid of trees. The college spent the next several years establishing temporary buildings (now known as West Campus) and constructing the original red brick buildings on what is now referred to as the Riverfront Campus.
Dr. L.H. Horton, Jr. began his tenure as KCC’s 3rd president in January 1977. Horton felt one way to beautify the campus was by adding trees. He was a strong believer in avoiding a monoculture by planting a variety of trees, thus lowering the chances of elimination from disease.
According to recollections of KCC retirees John Haley (KCC years: 1975-2008) and Larry Stevenson (KCC years: 1984-2004), some tree planting started before Horton’s arrival, perhaps late in 1975 or 1976. Some trees were planted in the island areas of parking lots, along the east side of the main entrance road, and on the golf course. KCC employed many teenagers during the summer through the Comprehensive Employment & Training Act (CETA) to work with the Physical Plant staff on outdoor projects, including planting bare-root trees. Haley estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 trees were planted by the CETA workers.
In August of 1978, professors from the University of Illinois’ Landscape Architecture department brought seven graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in “Advanced Design Studio” to evaluate KCC’s campus and propose a land development master plan for the college. Data was collected regarding soil type, climate, land use, native vegetation. A brief questionnaire was also distributed to staff.
On May 23, 1979, the land development plan was presented. It included goals such as beautifying the site; encouraging more student and community use of the campus; creating a campus image; emphasizing the natural, flowing, and pastoral forms of Illinois landscape; and considering long-range planning.
In the grass area south of the college’s main entrance, Horton prescribed specific varieties and placement of trees. He also recommended establishing tree groves in several locations, some with trees planted in honor of former trustees, retiring employees, and graduating student leaders. The groves would reduce the acreage of grass that required frequent mowing, thus cutting maintenance costs. Locating large groves west of the permanent buildings was selected to moderate the effects of prevailing westerly winds.
In 1980, the Kankakee Valley Park District wanted to clear mature trees from some of its property east of KCC, and KCC accepted some of those trees to be planted on the golf course and other locations where larger trees could be utilized. A commercial tree spade moved and planted 100 trees from Park District property to KCC. Haley and Stevenson recall that many were 20’ or taller oak trees!
Another good relationship in this general time period started when a researcher from the Morton Arboretum was interested in having a number of new hybrid trees planted on KCC’s campus to see how they would do in this environment. These trees were planted near student parking lots, the baseball and softball fields. Periodic visits were made to KCC by Arboretum arborists to evaluate the trees.
In the early 1980s, at KCC’s new baseball field, 20-foot evergreen trees were planted outside the centerfield fence to create a “batter’s eye” – a contrasting dark background so hitters could see pitched balls more easily. Smaller evergreens were planted around the perimeter of the outfield fence.
Horton also encouraged establishment of a prairie acre in the area northwest of West Campus. Seeds from plants and grasses native to long-gone Illinois prairies were planted. Annual burns would be required to maintain a true prairie culture. After several years following this practice, the Kankakee Fire Department expressed concern about the danger of the fire spreading, so the burns were discontinued. As a result, the Horton Prairie Acre is no longer a true prairie area because trees, brush, and other non-native plants have established a significant presence.
Shortly before his retirement from KCC in 1987, Horton said “I felt that if we were going to market the school and encourage people to come here, we had to have an attractive environment. So, we tried to really work on all aspects of the campus environment to make it a better place to work, a place that students and staff could be proud of, and a place that you would want to attend. Our work isn’t done, but at least I think we’ve made a start on it.”
Following Horton’s presidency, college leadership and Physical Plant Department allowed trees to continue growing as they continued maintaining and keeping up the areas previously planted.
The Present (2020s)
KCC has acquired a few more acres to reach 185 acres of land. Approximately 57 acres is farmland, and 64 acres is open space which includes tree groves. The trees and groves planted in the 1980s and earlier are now mature. The college has established a Tree Conservation Program to protect tree and plant species on the Riverfront Campus and at extension centers. College grounds maintenance is led by George Mateja. The college also receives guidance and looks to expertise from Katelynn Ohrt, director of KCC’s credit division Horticulture Program; and staff of the University of Illinois Extension Office.
In 2017, large areas of underbrush were cleared along both sides of College Drive. The project created a better view of the golf course on the west side and the Student Grove on the east side of the drive. Some long-covered markers were revealed, as were quality tree specimens which didn’t have as healthy of a growth environment until they were uncovered.
Every two years, the Horticulture Program offers “Landscape Design.” Selected trees around the college are marked with ribbons for students in the class to identify. New trees are also being planted to round out the needs of the tree identification component in this class.
The grounds staff has been tagging and identifying trees in the various groves, including the Staff Grove, Student Grove, Trustee Grove, south courtyard, and on the golf course. More than 150 trees have been tagged. The corresponding tree information is kept in a Campus Tree Log.
The golf course has three holes, is open to the public, and free to use. The greens are not maintained because it would require a watering routine that can’t be sustained with current staffing and water resources.
The KCC golf course is also being used as a tree nursery with about 50 trees in stages of growth from 5 months to 3 years. Twenty new trees were planted there in 2021. This nursery includes Buckeye, Elm and Red Sunset Maple. The first trees to be replanted out of this location were moved from the nursery in 2021.
A new fruit tree orchard is in its early stages. Five apple trees are planted in a fenced-in area to protect them from deer. More trees will be added each year until the orchard is established. The fruit tree area is being developed in cooperation with the Horticulture Program.
Trees and other landscape elements have been removed as well. From 2017-21, more than 350 Ash trees were taken down after being stricken by the Emerald Ash Borer. A former “vita course,” which wound around the northern part of the campus no longer has the stations to stop and complete designated exercises. The crushed stone path still exists and is a frequently used walking path.
The Retiree Tree Grove, which started in the 1970s, still has at least 40 different varieties of growing and mature trees, Mateja estimates. Due to overcrowding and maintenance issues, the practice of designating a new tree for retirees was discontinued in 2015. A retiree Paver Plaza was established to honor retirees, including those who already had a tree.
Mateja is in the process of completing a certified arborist course through International Society of Arboriculture. There are two reasons that are considered when KCC decides to cut down, cut back, prune or remove trees and plantings: safety and security of the college and the health of the tree or surrounding trees.
The Future
KCC is working toward becoming recognized by the Tree Campus Higher Education program, which is an Arbor Day Foundation program.
The following programs will continue as part of the college’s Tree Conservation Program:
- Tree preservation and propagation
- Evaluation for safety and security, and for the health of trees and surrounding trees
- Pruning, cutting back, and removal of trees which are not healthy, or which impede other goals of the program
The college grounds department will continue collaborate with the University of Illinois Extension and KCC’s Horticulture program to
- Tag different tree and identify different tree species.
- Plant new varieties of trees.
Note: KCC gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Larry Huffman, Ph.D., (KCC years: 1977-2001 and 2009) for his research and descriptions which were the source for much of this information.
The French Canadian Heritage Wall connects visitors to photographs, video interviews and family histories from the French Canadian Interview Project website. The project was conducted by KCC Professor James Paul, D.A., and his Western Civilization students from 2000 to 2006. The wall’s concept was developed by Dr. Paul and KCC Professor Steve DePasquale and the display was designed by Diane Soltis, a KCC graphic artist.
Overall, the display fosters interest in, and appreciation for, the primary cultural group that settled Kankakee County and the surrounding area. It is 12 feet long and 5 feet tall, and allows visitors to interact with the website via QR codes.
The project was made possible by donors Bill Dyon, Cecile LaMarre Enright and the Bourbonnais Grove Historical Society.
A reception to mark the installation was held Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 at 4 p.m. in Room L312.