Artist Talk: Timeless Bodies

Timeless Bodies – Opening at Oliva Gallery Exhibition Dates: November 7 – December 13, 2025 Join Oliva Gallery for an Artist Talk presented as part of the First Annual Midwest Ceramic Exhibition: Timeless Bodies. This discussion brings together exhibiting artists whose work explores the expressive and enduring nature of the human form in clay. The event will be moderated by Chicago-based artist Catherine Schwalbe, known for her multidisciplinary work examining the intersections of agriculture, ecology, and sustainability through sculpture and social practice. Featured SpeakersMonica Bâlc – A Romanian-born, Chicago-based sculptor and ceramicist. Bâlc holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has exhibited widely in the U.S. and abroad, including SOFA Chicago, Old Town Art Fair, and the Knoxville Museum of Art.Debbie Burk – Artist and educator with BFA and MFA degrees in Ceramics from Governors State University. Burk teaches at Governors State and Olivet Nazarene University and maintains a studio at The Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights.Dawn Liddicoatt – Known for her tactile interpretations of the female form, Liddicoatt’s ceramic work emphasizes the sensual and structural qualities of clay. Her pieces have been exhibited in numerous Chicago-area galleries and private collections.Bobbi Meier – A Chicago-based multimedia artist whose fiber-based sculptures explore emotional tension and repression. Meier’s work has been shown nationally and internationally, including in A Tale of Today: Materialities at the Driehaus Museum.Susan Volk – A Chicago painter and sculptor whose work explores archetypes, the sacred feminine, and human nature. Volk is represented by Oliva Gallery (Chicago), Edward Montgomery Fine Art (Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA), and Blue Sky Art Gallery (Santa Fe, NM). Additional ProgrammingFigure Drawing Session – Sunday, December 7, 2025, 3:00–6:00 PM (Live model, $20 entry, advance registration required)Closing Reception – Saturday, December 13, 2025, 5:00–9:00 PMFollowing the exhibition, Oliva Gallery will also host a Holiday/Gift Party on Friday, December 19, 2025, offering unique, small-scale artworks and handmade items available for purchase. Follow Oliva Gallery on social media to stay updated on upcoming exhibitions, events, and workshops! Social Media: Facebook: [hidden] Instagram: [hidden] LinkedIn: [hidden] More Info below.