Learning the Land: Stewarding Beauty

Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT) and the Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery (the Depot) have partnered to bring plein air artist, Joel Sheesley to our community as the first SHLT artist-in-residence. Over the last two years and in all four seasons, he visited Shirley Heinze nature preserves  and Beverly Shores properties and created a collection of 15 paintings. The exhibit titled, Learning the Land: Stewarding Beauty, is a visually stunning reflection of the wide array of landscapes Shirley Heinze has preserved.

Make plans to join us and the artist at the opening reception at the Beverly Shores Depot on July 12, 2024 from 5 – 7 pm CT, preceded by a lecture from the artist from 4 – 5 pm CT. In this illustrated talk Joel Sheesley will speak about what he learned as he painted complex landscapes in Porter and LaPorte Counties.  He will discuss his painting methods, his conceptual understanding of landscape painting, and the sense of meaning he finds in landscape painting.

The paintings will be for sale and all proceeds will support both Shirley Heinze Land Trust and the Depot. Visit bsdepot.org for additional details.

Be sure to join Joel and Shirley Heinze staff for co-led hike at Meadowbrook Nature Preserve on August 10.

Spots for the artist lecture and gallery reception are limited, please reserve tickets below.

About the Artist

Joel C. Sheesley | MFA, University of Denver, School of Art | BFA, Syracuse University, School of Art | Emeritus Professor of Art, Wheaton College

Joel Sheesley, Emeritus Professor of Art at Wheaton College, is a painter whose current work focuses on the landscape. Sheesley has been a recipient of an Illinois Artist’s Fellowship, has exhibited his work in Chicago galleries, and had a solo exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center. His work has also been widely exhibited in university galleries. He lives with his wife, Joan, in Wheaton, IL.