Faith by Jenny Evans

14" x 11"
Etching

"When I did this etching, I was thinking a lot about how different types of faith view the end of all things.  How these images alone mean something harsh and definite.  Together however, these 7 images create a different story all their own. Using Native American, Eastern and Western images of faith address the beliefs that I have. Exploring the diversity of belief, and how al things come to an end. "

Stronger Together by Jenny Evans

14"x 11"
Photography
Price: $60

"Though they come from different backgrounds, their determination is seen through their hands.  Strong, steady and unwavering. "

The QC is a Melting Pot by Mike McMahon

24 1/4" x 30 1/4" (framed)
Mixed Media on paper

"The Quad Cities is quite a diverse bunch of cities with many cultures, beliefs and traditions packed into a small unit. The many types of media enacted in this work represent this diversity. Additionally, the amount of imagery within the piece represents the small pieces that make up the big picture that is the QC. Lastly, on the backside of the piece is the phrase 'Spread Too Thin'. This phrase is in reference to the distance we sometimes find ourselves in when faced with our differences; specifically with political and religious differences."

There is Hope by Mike McMahon

22" x 28" (framed)
Acrylic on paper

"In the mouth of the skull, which represents all of the hatred and hardship in this world, is the Arabic word 'amal which means Hope, prospect, expectancy and trust. What this is to mean is that there is still hope now even in such a terrible situation. We are all mostly aware of the goings on in the Middle East, especially in Syria. No matter the view of the situation, it is clear that many innocent people are dying. If faced with such hardships here in the QC, there is a great chance of losing all hope for some. I imagine this to be true for people there. This irrational fear and hatred for the Muslim community that lives here and there is further dividing us as people. We can all find hope in this world if we try."

Giraffe by Heather Jensen

30" by 40"
Acrylic
$300

"I strongly feel that the struggles that I go through are reflected within my artwork. I am the person that is interested in everything and it has been a lifelong ordeal being pushed to decide if I am an 'art person' or a 'science person'. I ended up choosing both. My diverse educational background includes a studio arts minor, anthropology major and a museum studies masters to tie it all together. The tension pulling me in multiple directions is present in my work which always have differing subject matter thrown into a single piece. Anatomy and physical forms are extremely important to me as an artist and from an anthropological standpoint."

Pigeon by Heather Jensen

34" x 17" x 10"
Mixed-media found object sculpture: Dress form, deer bones, pigeon, wire.
NFS

Another Buddha-ful Day by Jason Welvaert

6" x 7"
pen, colored ink, marker, colored pencil on vellum paper
$60

"Artists Statement: I enjoy drawing and illustrating using rich and vibrant colors to convey a sense of lightness and joy. The theme of religion and spirituality embodies diversity on the planet and at the root of authentic religious teachings is respect and love for other living beings. Religious art has a sense of otherworldliness to it while simultaneously teaching basic values inherently instilled in the human heart.

I like to try and express that in a playful way with characters portrayed in a simple, and innocent image to teach the lessons of the great masters and saints of the world."

Siddhartha Spins the Dharma by Jason Welvaert

12" x 12"
Colored ink, pencil, marker and collage on vellum paper
$250

Figure Study by Nicholas Lybbert

26" x 38"
Ink and chalk pastel on paper

"The work that I have submitted is drawn from my love of religious imagery, cooperation, and how these images solicit meanings for each person who sees them. I enjoy creating collages with these different images to create a new idea or thought."

Home Revisited by Nicholas Lybbert

38" x 26"
Oil on canvas

Donald Glover by Cameron Ruiz

30" x 18 1/2"
Pencil drawing
$175

"My piece is an ebony pencil drawing on illustration board, of Donald Glover, an African-American actor, writer, director, producer,, comedian, rapper, singer, songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. His pursuit of excellence in multiple fields and genres is inspiring to me, not only because I am a fan of his work but because I myself find interest in multiple genres and am blessed with multiple talents. This has inspired my own pursuit of a degree in the Liberal Arts program here at WIU-QC. His attention to detail and his creativity is awe-inspiring and is an influence upon my own creative endeavors."

Purple Snowfall by Cameron Ruiz

13.5" x 16"
Oil on canvas

"This piece is an oil on canvas inspired by the work of the late Bob Ross."

Luna by Katelyn Shovlain

9" x 13"
Oil on canvas
$100

"My main body of work is exploring portraits. I have always been fascinated with the beauty and complexity of individual's faces. When I learned the theme of this show was diversity, I had the great opportunity to delve into a subject matter I have always wanted paint, drag queens. Not only are drag queens performers, but they are the personification of art. They transform into whatever they desire through makeup and costumes. For me, drag queens are the perfect description of diversity. No matter what color, size, shape, gender, etc. YOU have the power to transform yourself into something beautiful. My subject for this painting is Luna. I let her choose whatever photo she feels most 'fierce' in for the reference photo. The face is the focal point. I want the viewer to be enthralled by Luna's beauty, to forget questions like, 'are they in drag?', but to realize no matter how different we are from one another, we are still human, we are still beautiful, and there are no limits on how to express yourself."

Be You tiful by Stephanie Emery

8" x 24"
Acrylic painting
NFS

"I created this art piece to reminded myself that everyone is beautiful inside and out and whoever is looking at the piece know that they are Beautiful."

Joined Together by Michael Carton

5.5" x 5" x 2"
LEGOS
$75

"Gears come in a number of sizes, shapes and colors, but they're all the same at their core - just like us.  This piece features a number of gears that may look different and work in different ways, but they're all connected. They're joined together.  They're connected in ways that can easily be seen and in ways that are more difficult to see (the structure underneath the gears).  We, humans, are much the same.  We come in different sizes, shapes and colors, but at our core we're all the same.  Sometimes we can find our similarities quite easily, but other times we need to look deeper.  There will always be things that connect us, though - and when we work together we can do amazing things.  This piece celebrates the differences among us while reminding us that we will always have things in common."

Eagle in Flight by Kathleen Miller

18" x 24"
Archival print of pointillism drawing, marker on paper
Matted & Framed: $250.00
Unframed, no matt prints: $30.00

"The Eagle, as a symbolic connection to the divine, is representative of man's patriotic and religious beliefs. Among many things, Eagles represent strength, honesty, and courage."

Untitled by Stephanie Hoover

8.5" x 11"
Pencil on paper

(picture 1 of 4)

"The piece is untitled. In my English MA course we are currently studying medicine, literature, and biotechnology. Our assignment was to compose a short autobiographical comic that conveys an experience within medicine/healthcare. My piece was about my initial fear of the OBGYN, which aided in my pregnancy as I was too afraid to go through the experience to be given birth control. I then was asked what birth control I wanted to be on. The second page shows my struggles with a variety of options from after my pregnancy at 17 to present at 32. My experience continues in my then quest to have my tubes tied and how I was denied by two female doctors due to their values and beliefs about my ability to make such a decision. However, a male OBGYN allowed me to make such a decision and scheduled the appointment. However, only by the urge of my friends did I then research post tubal ligation syndrome and find just over 40 complications which can result from a tubal ligation.  "

Untitled by Stephanie Hoover

8.5" x 11"
Pencil on paper

(picture 2 of 4)

Untitled by Stephanie Hoover

8.5" x 11"
Pencil on paper

(picture 3 of 4)

Untitled by Stephanie Hoover

8.5" x 11"
Pencil on paper

(picture 4 of 4)