On Tuesday, July 22, Prairie State College and Wind Creek Chicago Southland are launching a new art exhibition featuring works by local talented artists at the casino at 17300 Halsted St. in East Hazel Crest.
The Prairie State College Art Showcase at Wind Creek will be a rotating art exhibition highlighting the work of local artists, including PSC students and alumni.
This new initiative offers artists a professional platform to exhibit and sell their artwork. The PSC-Wind Creek partnership will continue to feature new artists every two months, with six artists showcased each year. All proceeds from artwork sales will go directly to the artists.
“We’re incredibly pleased to create this opportunity in partnership with Wind Creek Southland,” said Jeri Bingham, vice president of external affairs at PSC. “We’re grateful for their support and shared vision. This collaboration — perhaps the first of its kind, brings together a community college art gallery and a casino — offering a platform for talented local artists, including some of our very own PSC alumni.”
The first featured artist, Chidera Onyeizeh of Richton Park, is a graduate of PSC and Governors State University, where he focused on printmaking. According to a PSC spokesperson, Onyeizeh was recently honored with the GSU College of Arts and Sciences Purchase Award, a prestigious recognition that secured one of his original pieces in GSU’s permanent collection. At PSC, Onyeizeh was recognized for his exceptional skill and creative depth.
“This partnership with Prairie State College is especially meaningful because it brings visibility and opportunity to the incredible talent that exists right here in the Chicago Southland,” said Roger Kuehn, executive vice president and general manager of Wind Creek Chicago Southland.
“By showcasing local artists — beginning with a standout PSC alum like Chidera Onyeizeh — we’re proud to create a space where the community can engage with the arts in an accessible and inspiring way. This exhibit reflects our commitment to supporting culture and creativity as essential parts of the Wind Creek experience.”
The exhibition at Wind Creek is curated by Javier Chavira, director of the Christopher Art Gallery at PSC, 202 South Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
