Prairie State College and Wind Creek Chicago Southland Launch Rotating Art Exhibition Showcasing Local Talent

CHICAGO, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prairie State College (PSC) and Wind Creek Chicago Southland have teamed up to launch The Prairie State College Art Showcase at Wind Creek, a new rotating exhibition highlighting local artists, including PSC students and alums.

The exhibit opened on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Wind Creek's newest location in East Hazel Crest, Illinois, with the unveiling of original works by inaugural featured artist Chidera Onyeizeh of Richton Park.

Onyeizeh is a PSC alumnus and recent graduate of Governors State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Printmaking. His work, currently on display at Wind Creek, blends linoleum block printing and screen printing (serigraphy), enhanced with colored pencil to build intricate light, shadow, and texture. Typography features prominently, operating both as a visual device and a conduit for dialogue between subject and viewer. Influenced by Pop Art, Onyeizeh draws from advertising, comic books, and everyday life to create layered, dynamic compositions.

"We are honored to partner with Wind Creek Chicago Southland and are grateful for this incredible platform they are providing our local artists," said Dr. Michael D. Anthony, President of PSC. "The impact of this collaboration will extend well beyond the Southland, and we are truly proud to be part of this initiative."

Dr. Jeri Bingham, vice president of External Affairs at PSC, who helped lead the partnership with Wind Creek Chicago Southland, says she is grateful for the support and shared vision and sees it as the start of something special. "We're incredibly pleased to create this opportunity with Wind Creek and look forward to future projects with the amazing team that's just minutes from our campus," said Dr. Bingham. "This exhibit is a beautiful visualization of what can happen when institutions come together to support local talent."

Executive Vice President and General Manager of Wind Creek Chicago Southland, Roger Kuehn, echoed that sentiment. "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 Kuehn. "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 PSC–Wind Creek partnership will feature new artists every two months, showcasing six artists annually. Artwork is available for purchase, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the artists.

The exhibition at Wind Creek is curated by Javier Chavira, director of PSC's Christopher Art Gallery, located on the college's main campus at 202 South Halsted Street in Chicago Heights. PSC's Christopher Art Gallery hosts eight exhibitions annually, featuring artists from across the United States. Select artwork featured as part of the showcase at Wind Creek may also be displayed at the gallery. For more information, visit prairiestate.edu/artgallery.

Prairie State College proudly serves Community College District 515 and is a hub of excellence, offering associate degrees, technical and career certificates, workforce development, and community education programs. Prairie State College was the first Illinois community college to guarantee all credits would transfer to other Illinois colleges and universities, an assurance that has grown through the Illinois Articulation Initiative. PSC is one of six Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) in the state of Illinois, and also an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). We strive to provide opportunities for our students to start near, go far, and thrive. For more information, visit prairiestate.edu and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Prairie State College