Patti Bartelstein ~ The Project Room

Light ...from Patti Bartelstein 

This past Tuesday evening, I attended to a wonderful charity event at The Project Room located in Chicago’s River North Gallery district. A relatively new space to the district, owner and fine art photographer Patti Bartelstein, has created an environment meant to “inspire action and ignite change to positively impact our world”. Tuesday’s event seemed to do just that.

The event consisted of cocktails, an intimate dinner for thirty, and a book signing. The Dinner and Dialogue reception was for author Steve Pemberton; Chief Diversity officer of Walgreens Inc, a child advocate, motivational speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed book, "A Chance In The World". All proceeds from the event would benefit UCAN… an organization with a mission to heal, educate and empower the trauma-inflicted youth of our communities.

As we sat down to dinner, Pemberton spoke—revealing segments of the story of his life. His basic message was that… Youth who have suffered trauma can become our future leaders. He—in fact—is proof of the possibility.

But the evening was not just about Pemberton’s book and the UCAN organization… the event also offered a peek into Bartelstein’s gallery. A group exhibition titled “Out of Darkness Comes Light” was displayed, creating a wonderful dinning atmosphere. The group exhibition consists of seven international artists who present work that “sheds light on our strong will to not only survive but to rise above adversity and to CREATE in ways that inspire action to positively impact our world.” The artist included in the exhibition are: Jill King, Allison Svoboda, Paul den Hollander, Justin Maxon, Jose Romussi, Marco Nereo Rotelli and Bartelstein herself.

Patti Bartelstein, an accomplished photographer in her own right, creates amazing dreamlike imagery of figures, in white flowing garments, presented in fields of moving gardens. The extended exposure of the subject creates the surreal environment. The artist backlights the image to add to the entrancing effect. In defining the content of her work, Bartelstein explains:

I work from the inside out, using internal narrative as the foundation in which to produce my canvas that reinterprets space, light and form found in the external. How I connect with the external world and then my interpretation of it is the driving factor behind my entire body of work. From all of this, my life’s work became clear, a dedication to what I have titled, “The Study of Connectivity”, an ongoing and constantly evolving portfolio of work.

If you’re in the River North area, check out “Out of Darkness Comes Light” at The Project Room. The Project Room is located at 217 West Huron, in Chicago’s River North Gallery District. Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 11 am to 6 pm or by appointment.

The Project Room supports emerging and mid-career artists in all media whose work embodies well-executed conceptual depth.
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