Vera Lopez, Candace Stack, Pam Hulvey, April Wilson, Gina Alicia, Brian Harder, Linda Dean

March Artists of the Month

Peru: Doorway to Light
A Collaborative Expression of Love

Now Showing in the Sunshine Gallery at Unity in Chicago

Opening Reception March 9 – Closing March 28

Vera Lopez has reached out to people who have traveled on her spiritual adventures to Peru, to create this exhibit of paintings, photographs, drawings, candles, and more.

Soy Illumination are soy candles set in the beautiful pottery of world famous Peruvian artist Pablo Seminario, who is using clay from Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and preserving ancient techniques. He will soon have a permenant exhibit of his work at The Field Museum. The candles are handmade by Vera Lopez, using 100% soy wax, cotton wicks and essential oils, with the intention of bringing blessings, love, peace and joy to you and your surroundings. The word Soy in Spanish means I AM, so when you read Soy Illumination you are affirming who you truly are, a Being of Light.

Candace Stack
I was drawn to the faces of the Peruvian people, the ancestors of the Inca. Each face speaks a thousand words, conveying multitudes of emotions and history and stories for all time. We are linked as one human race; the condor and the eagle, the south and the north. I shall forever be grateful for the opportunity to photograph these beautiful souls. I began photography as a lover of nature and was trained by the late renowned photographer, John Kohout of the Morton Arboretum. Many of my images can be seen at local galleries and art fairs. At present, I am working on a book of poetry and my favorite images.

Pam Hulvey
Black and White photographs express the awe and wonder of the hidden city within the mystical mountain.

April Wilson
I have been capturing wedding images and details, especially capturing the scenery surrounding weddings and events for brides as a wedding photojournalist, for over 6 years.  My two journeys to Peru inspired me to bring back a little of the landscape and people for others to enjoy through my fine art images. This photograph is titled "Sunrise Alter." More information.

Gina Alicea
My artwork was inspired by Peru. I visioned my trip before I even went. The painting "Create it, Believe it, Receive it" was my vision of the trip in January. I experienced that vision in August. The painting "Just Believe", was about my healing experience with the Shaman in the cave at Machu Picchu. The whole trip was mystical and very healing.

Brian Harder
While traving through Peru, I was inspired by the spiritual energy of the region. I noticed many brightly colored and intricately carved doorways. In my mind, I connected doorways and spirit together since we all come and go through variations of them. So while the spiritual doorways are anywhere and everywhere and somewhat hard to capture with a camera, the physical doorways are not and my Doorways of Peru exhibit was born.

Linda Dean
This is mirror with a mosaic tile border and depiction of the mountains of Peru with all their terraced gardens. I was quite captivated with the tenacity and creativity the people and want to honor that tradition.

The back board, 33" x 50", is from a crate that came from Peru with all our ceramic treasures we bought. The beveled mirror is 24" x 34" with a mosaic tile border of many glass tiles and stones evoking the colors of the Peruvian country side.