ROCHELLE — Jeremy Lampkin, along with Matt Thompson, Guillermo Martinez, and Juan Martinez say their art gallery, “Faux Pas,” is coming together nicely.

The owners of Rochelle’s new art gallery located at 308 Lincoln Highway are preparing for the opening reception this Friday, Dec. 1 during the Old Fashioned Christmas Walk.

The reception is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature displays from 16 artists on two levels. Visitors to the gallery can also expect refreshments and ambient music as they stroll through and take in the artistry.

Lampkin, a Rochelle native, began painting about 12 years ago with his artwork landing in a museum. Being an artist wasn’t exactly a life-long dream; it was more a personal development project.

“I’m primarily an acrylic painter. I do portraits, figures, landscapes, symbolism, and asbracts,” Lampkin said. “I think my best work is done in series. In a series, a deeper story can develop.”

Meant to be

Lampkin explained after a conversation with another artist who had opened a gallery in Southern Illinois eventually led to discussions with the Martinez brothers, who had an empty storefront in Rochelle.

“I attended an art show in Chicago where they converted a warehouse, and had four or five floors,” Juan said. “I thought why couldn’t we have a gallery here in Rochelle?”

Lampkin explained the gallery is not only for the community to enjoy, but also to provide opportunity.

“We support emerging and student artists. Students get real world experience before they graduate,” Lampkin said. “Our community gets to experience the world of fine art right here at home, and of course visitors come in from out of town. We want to be a different and exciting hub in the network of art galleries and venues in Northern Illinois.”

In the art community, enthusiasts will often travel for miles to see other artist’s work. Lampkin said they have been busy promoting a new show beginning at the same time the gallery opens.

“Things were hectic planning this show, and somehow the caption ‘Winnebago Man vs. the Fly’ seemed to express that mood perfectly,” Lampkin said. “There’s a broad variety of artwork from 16 regional artists on display, artists ranging from student to advanced. Expect a thought provoking array of visual art sensual, humorous, tragic, and graphic, with music provided by another local artist.”

Lampkin invites the community to come out during the Christmas Walk this year. Nearly all of the artists in the show will be attending the opening reception, including leather work, digital prints, oil paintings, and portraits. The artists featured include Gabriel Karagianis, Sam Arnold, Cecelia Ivy Price, Chris Boyko, Nicole Zurita, Tara Ozehowski, Rachel Corbin, Nasso, Noah Hedrick, Kennedy Shenberg, Seth Webb, Kassi Apel, Angela Bachman, Danesh Kothari, Chris May, Don Mazzanti, and Jeremy Lampkin. Video by Sol Rezza + Daniel Ivan, ambience by Brian Brovelli.

Hours

Faux Pas Gallery hours will range daily, with Tuesdays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m, Wednesdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Friday 12 noon to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.