One of the many events and exhibitions happening during Chicago Artists’ Month is the Senior Artists’ Network Later Impressions show. This annual juried exhibition celebrates the accomplishments of older artists, and features 45 works of art by 37 artists, who create a rich and diverse array of two and three dimensional pieces that speak to their personal, imagined, and observed experiences. This year’s exhibition is on display at the Renaissance Court Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center from October 15–November 28, and was curated by Book and Paper MFA Kathi Beste.

“Curating this exhibition really is a grass-roots, hands-on affair, and encompasses all aspects of exhibition curation, from sending out the the call for entries, assisting members with online submissions, managing and scheduling the three-stage jurying process, installing the show, helping run the artists’ reception, and presenting the winners’ awards,” said Kathi after the October 21 afternoon reception. “Curating Later Impressions is the perfect way to gain all-around exhibition experience in a large Chicago city gallery, and be an important part of Chicago Artists’ Month.”

Later Impressions is just one of the exhibition organized and presented by SAN volunteers and members each year. SAN’s mission to promote and foster the creative efforts of artists over the age of fifty, and is a successful and important resource for Chicago area artists.

“I enjoy working with this organization because of the sense of community they have, and their helpfulness towards each other in promoting many forms of creative expression,” says Kathi. “SAN shows are wonderful because members share their work with the greater public, and bring together their collective vision. Some SAN members have been making art their whole lives, and some have just recently found their way into it. Every show by SAN members is inspiring to those who see it, and Renaissance Court Gallery helps them reach a wide audience.”

At the Later Impression Artists’ Reception this past Sunday, SAN President Annette Abajian announced that the next SAN show will focus on photography, and is planned to happen in Skokie, IL in the spring of 2013. She is looking for curatorial volunteers for this next venue as well, and hopes more Columbia InterArts students will help out.

For more information on Senior Artists’ Network, click here.