MALTA — Kishwaukee College end-of-semester student art events are now available online. The 2020 Spring Juried Student Virtual Art Show along with a poetry reading, music recital and Performing Arts Club performances were all conducted virtually in support of the artistic talent at the college.
The latest issue of the College’s literary and arts journal, The Kamelian, is also available online for viewing.
“The arts are still alive at Kishwaukee College,” says Associate Dean Barbara Leach. “We know how important artistic expression is and we wanted to ensure our students have the ability to be creative and share parts of themselves, even during the pandemic.”
Instead of the annual Spring Juried Student Art Show in the campus gallery, Kish created a virtual art show for students. Cecilia Schmitt, Rochelle, won first place for her acrylic painting titled “Lush.” Schmitt describes herself as an experimental surrealist who believes viewers tend to appreciate realistic pieces more.

“During this time period, one of the best things people can do is tap into their artistic side. Even cooking or organizing your house can become an art,” Schmitt says. “It’s about doing what is uniquely you.” Schmitt came to Kish in Fall 2018 to narrow down her artistic focus and intends to transfer to Columbia College Chicago this fall to study illustration or design.
Student Adriana Aumann-Weyenberg, DeKalb, also submitted to the art show. “We need the arts more than ever now,” Aumann-Weyenberg says. Aumann-Weyenberg, who completed her associate degree this semester and plans to transfer to University of Wisconsin-Stout to study psychology, participated in many of the other art events, including the poetry reading and Performing Arts Club events.
“The Kish Performing Arts Club members were so disappointed to have to cancel their spring play because of the pandemic,” says Assistant Professor and Performing Arts Club advisor Bonnie Miller-O’Dell. Originally, the club was going to perform a play written by a Kish student and club member. When the College went remote, the club continued to meet weekly and put together multiple virtual performances on Zoom. The group performed two dramatic readings, one from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the other from The Humans by Matt Haig.
Students across campus also submitted their best work in essay, poetry, two-dimensional and three-dimensional art work to the College’s award winning literary and arts journal The Kamelian. The journal is available to view online.
“I think it’s wonderful that Kishwaukee College has been able to continue to support the arts while online,” Aumann-Weyenberg adds.
To view any of the virtual artwork or art events, please visit www.kish.edu/artevents.