November 1, 2010 | Arts

Dittmar to Exhibit "Intense Brightness" Nov. 4 to Dec. 9

Northwestern gallery to feature paintings by guest artist Licha DeLaPena

By Judy Moore

“You Were Only Waiting For This Moment To Be Free” by Chicago artist Licha DeLaPena.

EVANSTON, Ill. --- An exhibition of abstract paintings inspired by daily life in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood will open Thursday, Nov. 4, at Northwestern University’s Dittmar Gallery.

“Intense Brightness” features more than 10 acrylic works by Chicago artist Licha DeLaPena. The exhibition will be at the Dittmar Gallery, located on the first floor of Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, on Northwestern’s Evanston campus, through Dec. 9.

An opening reception at the Dittmar will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5. There, guests will have an opportunity to make pin-back buttons. Like the exhibit itself, the reception is free and open to the public.

DeLaPena uses bursts of primary color to explore emotions, people, relationships, places, music and love. The works of Pablo Picasso, Gustav Klimt and Gor Avetisyan, a contemporary Armenian artist based in Prague, have influenced her distinctive expressionist style.

DeLaPena maintains a private space, Oktober Studio, in Logan Square. Her paintings have been showcased in venues around Chicago. For more information about her, visit www.lichaatoktoberstudio.com.

For more on the exhibition, call the Dittmar at (847) 491-2348 or Norris University Center at (847) 491-2300, e-mail dittmargallery@northwestern.edu or visit the Dittmar Web site at www.norris.northwestern.edu/dittmar.php.

Nathalie Rayter, a senior in the School of Education and Social Policy, contributed to this story.