Award-winning mixed-media artist exhibits in Elmhurst

A solo exhibition of works by Chicago-area artist Dianne Martia is on display in the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst, from February 28 through April 8 during regular Museum hours.

An opening reception, free and open to the public, is scheduled in the gallery, on Friday, March 4, from 7 to 9 pm.

Entitled “Transiens,” the exhibit, according to the artist, is a collection of abstracted atmospheric landscape paintings that explores the ephemeral, yet abiding, nature of our natural surroundings. “Surface treatment, layering and texture work together to create images that suggest a sense of mutable history while conveying the invariable essence of place,” Martia said.

Martia is an award-winning mixed-media artist who has exhibited internationally. She earned an MAMS degree in Biocommunication Art (medical illustration) from the University of Illinois and graduated cum laude with a BA degree in Graphic/Fine/Craft Arts from Columbia College Chicago. At a young age she attended classes at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the American Academy of Art. Over the years she worked as a medical illustrator, computer graphics artist, media producer, graphic designer and editor, and returned to her love of fine art in 2003. She is a long-time member of the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild and a resident of Darien, Illinois.

Martia works with oil and wax media, acrylic, and collage, and in 2010 she created a field sculpture on five acres of farmland in Oregon, Illinois. She teaches classes and workshops and facilitates an art studio and media lab for adults with developmental challenges. She says she enjoys jurying and judging exhibitions and has collaboratively curated shows. Her work is in private and corporate collections. She is represented by Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.

The exhibition can be viewed during regular Museum hours, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm. The first Friday of each month is the Museum’s free admission day. At other times, admission for adults is $8 and for seniors $7. EAM and Guild members, students and children under 18 are admitted free.

A portion of the proceeds of any artwork sold benefits the Guild and the Elmhurst Art Museum.

The EAG gallery is not-for-profit, operated by the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild separate from the Museum. It features original contemporary artworks in a variety of styles and media. In addition to four member shows each year, the guild hosts exhibitions of individual member’s artwork and invitational shows for significant local artists. More information is available at elmhurstartistsguild.org,