Christopher Art Gallery

Named for its generous donors, Bob and Marty Christopher, the Christopher Art Gallery is located on the main campus of Prairie State College. he gallery hosts six to eight shows per year, featuring local, regional and national artists, as well as student works. Gallery Director, Javier Chavira, recommends programming and often acts as curator for shows.

Hours of Operations

202 S. Halsted St.
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Summer and holiday hours vary)

Exhibition Calendar

See below.

Artist Information

Art Gallery Floor Plan

Fall Student ExhibitionSeptember 15 - October 14

Please join us at the Christopher Art Gallery for Corazón de Papel (Paper Heart), featuring the colorful and imaginative sculptures of Gloria Contreras.

Working in the Mexican folk-art tradition of cartonería, Contreras transforms paper, cardboard, and paste into whimsical sculptures filled with vibrant color, personality, and life. Her work celebrates the rich tradition of Mexican folk art while bringing it into her own contemporary artistic voice.

Public Reception: Wednesday, September 16, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Gloria and celebrating her wonderful work.

Download the event flyer

Surreal < Virestic > Uncanny

Reality gives way to imagination in this exhibition of digitally manipulated photography by Tim Arroyo and Dave Sobotka. Blurring the boundaries between the familiar and the uncanny, the artists invite viewers to question perception and embrace the unexpected.
October 19 – November 11
Reception: Wednesday, October 21, 11 am-1 pm

Prairie State College Art Faculty Exhibition

The Prairie State College Art Faculty Exhibition showcases the diverse creative practices of the department's artists and educators. Featuring works across multiple media, the exhibition highlights the artistic research that enriches both studio practice and the classroom.
November 16 – December 10
Reception: Wednesday, November 18, 11 am-1 pm

Steve Kost: From Seabee to Sculptor – The Artist's Journey of Metal Health Artwork

Steve Kost transforms reclaimed metal into expressive sculptures that speak to resilience, renewal, and reinvention. Drawing on his experiences as a Navy Seabee, his work demonstrates the beauty and potential found in overlooked materials.
January 11 – February 3
Reception: Wednesday, January 13, 11 am-1 pm

Presence: Eileen Lacy

Presence features the figurative paintings of Eileen Lacy, whose expressive works explore identity, memory, and the quiet strength of human connection. Through gesture and color, her subjects invite moments of reflection and recognition.
February 8 – March 4
Reception: Wednesday, February 10, 11 am-1 pm

Kept: Julian Graham

Julian Graham reveals the abstract poetry of the built environment, transforming everyday architecture into compelling studies of light, geometry, and texture. His photographs encourage viewers to see familiar spaces with renewed curiosity.
March 15 – April 7
Reception: Wednesday, March 17, 11 am-1 pm

Spring Student Show – Photographer of the Year

Celebrating a year of artistic achievement, the Spring Student Show features outstanding student work while recognizing the recipient of the annual Photographer of the Year award. Together, the exhibition reflects creativity, dedication, and artistic growth.
April 12 – May 13
Reception: Wednesday, April 21, 11 am-1 pm

Form Follows Flora: Where Botanical Form Meets Ceramic Design

Inspired by the forms of living plants, this invitational exhibition pairs ceramics with botany in unexpected ways. Each vessel responds to the unique character of its botanical companion, celebrating the intersection of nature, sculpture, and functional design.
June 1 – July 8
Reception: Thursday, June 3, 11 am-1 pm

Christopher Art Gallery

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