CHICAGO — Chicago artists are front and center in three shows at the DePaul Art Museum this summer. The first exhibition, which opens July 1, features artworks given to DePaul University from the Koffler Collection. Selected pieces by Dominick Di Meo, an artist whose paintings were profoundly influenced by his time in Chicago in the 1960s, will be on display beginning July 11. And, an exhibition of works by DePaul faculty will go on display July 25 in the museum on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus.

Gifts from the Koffler Collection

July 1 – Sept. 1

Samuel and Blanche Koffler became interested in local Chicago artists after moving from New York to Chicago in the 1950s. They started a foundation to buy works from Chicago artists and amassed a notable collection over the span of 40 years. Their support helped artists earn a living, and made a persuasive argument for the appreciation of regional art. In 2012, a generous gift of 95 paintings, prints and sculptures from the Koffler Collection was added to DePaul’s permanent collection.

“They were really eclectic in their taste and they didn’t just support one kind of artist. They believed in artists as a group, as a profession,” said Louise Lincoln, director of the DePaul Art Museum.

Dominick Di Meo: Visionary Garden

July 11 – Sept. 1

Dominick Di Meo was a member of the “Monster Roster” — Chicago artists who in the mid-20th century developed a distinct approach to the human figure that incorporated a dark sense of humor. An important figure in the 1960s Chicago art circle, Di Meo moved to New York in 1968 after spending  time in Italy.

“Some of his images suggest the influence of his Italian experience, a sense  that he’s walking on the  past , an accumulation of people, things and history,” Lincoln said.

DePaul Faculty Exhibition

July 25 – Sept. 29

From painting and photography to found-object sculpture and multimedia performance, these works by DePaul faculty demonstrate the strength and diversity of their professional practice and the breadth of their teaching.

Among the DePaul faculty artists are: Shiro Akiyoshi, Gagik Aroutiunian, Lisa Barcy, Marita Bolles, Jeff Carter, Tom Denlinger, Marcy Dinius, Nomi Epstein, Susan Giles, Steve Harp, Anna Henson, Randall Honold, Laura Kina, Jeff Kowalkowski, Zack Ostrowski, Bob Palmieri, Mary Ann Papanek-Miller, Keiler Roberts, Adam Schreiber, H. Peter Steves, Bibiana Suarez, Selina Trepp, Dolores Wilber, Chi Jang Yin and Mark Zlotkowski.

A reception including a live multimedia performance and an evening of film screenings is planned for September.

The DePaul Art Museum opened in its new $7.8 million three-story home in September 2011. The museum is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 773-325-7506 or visit http://museums.depaul.edu.

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