The ordinary turns extraordinary at SWIC exhibit

The latest exhibit at the Southwestern Illinois College Schmidt Art Center aims to change the way people think about books and wooden tools.

"BOOC: Beautiful, Outrageous, Original and Clever Books by Artists" and "Lyrical Objects" are two exhibits opening today at the Schmidt Art Center and running through Oct. 1.

"BOOC" consists of several "books" made of materials and in ways traditional literature isn't usually found. These include ceramic tile book pages, sculptural pop-ups and handcrafted poetry tracts.

"Visitors will be able to see things that aren't normally included as book components made into beautiful works of visual -- and literary -- art," said Schmidt Director Libby Reuter.

Works by artists M.J. Goerke, Marcus Griffen, William Harroff, Joanne Kluba, Bob Smith and Barbara Wiese will be featured.

"Lyrical Objects" features the sculptures of Jane Birdsall-Lander. These combine wooden tool handles and parts of musical instruments so each one takes on humanistic values to inspire the imagination of viewers.

The two exhibits will allow visitors to look at normal objects and see them as something extraordinary.

Birdsall-Lander "takes wooden implement handles and combines them with other wooden pieces, mounting them on the wall to make sculptures that resemble fantastical tools, musical instruments or ladders," Reuter said. "It will spark your imagination."

Several activities are tied into the event.

* A public reception is from 6 to 8 tonight. The event is free and refreshments will be available.

* Creative Kids begins at SWIC with artistic book-making projects at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3, 10 and 24 and Oct.

* Joanne Kluba will lead a workshop to show adult artists how to create special folded books from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 17. The fee is $50 and pre-registration is required.

And Sept. 22 and 29 from 6-8 pm. in the Schmidt Reading Room, Poets and artists will read from their works as attendees are allowed to handle pieces from the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 and 29 in the Schmidt Reading room. This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required.