Ms. Sears has worked in the Prints and Drawings Department at the Art Institute of Chicago for the last 17 years and lives in Evanston. Her delicate and magical works include large-scale prints and handmade artist books featuring endangered animals. Whales, coyotes, birds, and other creatures are combined with calligraphy and letter forms, creating a poetic and profound artistic vision.

"To put it simply, I make art because I love working with my hands to create something that I feel is beautiful. I believe that making art is a way of living, not necessarily to make a living but to make life richer," reflected Sears in her artist statement. "For me, making art is a way of confronting and escaping life all in one. It helps me to process this complex world and, as I get older and experience loss, it helps me grieve. Grief is the thread that binds this exhibition together, and the art is a physical manifestation of mourning—my process of letting go."

Stop in and see this exhibit before it leaves on Friday, November 15! Please follow our parent/visitor policy when entering the building.