Art in the Meadows

04/23/2026

My first order with them was a real challenge they had to take a 4" x 6" 35 mm print and a enlarge them to 18" x 24" while maintaining the resolution. Not only did they do an excellent job but they charged me a very reasonable price. I plan on using them for all my printing needs.

04/21/2026

260101 - Art in the Meadows #6 RMPD

On January 16, 2025 after I attended an event at the community center I had some extra time. The temperature was pleasing for a January and there was still snow on the ground. I took a picture looking downstream on the wooden bridge between the activity center and the Nelson Center. I looked behind me and took a picture facing upstream and took another picture. I thought well this is kind of neat so I went all the way up to Foley Park on the north side of town and took pictures on every single bridge through Rolling Meadows all the way to the tollway. I did miss the bridge over by Willow Bend School. I ended up with 60 to 70 pictures! I uploaded them to my Google drive and sent the link to Nick Troy with the Rolling Meadows Park District and Jack Bower with the Rolling Meadows Library. Nick replied the next morning saying he liked the pictures and would send them over to the community center to see if they could do something with them. Kristina Sromek was the Adult Activity Supervisor at the time. She contacted me and we discussed having an art exhibit starting March 20, 2025 and off we went! Tragically, Kristina passed shortly after her 40th birthday during the third art exhibit. It's been a struggle to keep the exhibit going but, we are now up to exhibit number seven! I'm so pleased that people are enjoying the talents of the various artists we have brought to the public through these exhibits.

04/21/2026

251013 - Art in the Meadows #5 RMPD

Robert R. Cobb is a recently retired (1999) high school art teacher, culminating 35 years of teaching experience with Maine Township High School District #207 in Park Ridge and Des Plaines, Illinois. He lives with his wife of more than 55 years, Lorna. They have three grown sons, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons Robert is a professional artist as well as a sometime poet. His works of art, largely drawings, paintings, and prints may be found in over 150 collections. His poetry may be found in recent Issues of SNAKESKIN Webzine, Basket Case Magazine, The Southem Ocean Review, The Free Cuisenart, The Nexus, The Paradigm Press Zine, and BeFreeZine -Robert's poem "Sestina Senses and Nonsense" won 2nd place in The Black Swan Review's national poetry contest. Robert was the featured post of the month in The Nepenthe Journal, June '99.

04/21/2026

250818 - Art in the Meadows #4 RMPD

Alisa Duda was born and grew up in Kaunas, Lithuania, in a family filled with artists. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Decorative Arts from Kaunas College of Art, and studied Architecture at the Art Institute of Kaunas. During her studies, Alisa illustrated the children's section for Respublika, the lagest newspaper in Lithuania.
Since moving to Illinois in 2000, Alisa received a Graphic Design Certificate at the Art Institute of Chicago and an Associates Degree in Arts from Harper College. Besides many freelance art projects, she worked as a decorative artist, art restorer, special events artist, cake decorator and illustrator. In Sept 2024, Alisa Duda became one of the directors of Oddball Art Labs, a non-profit artist organization based in Elgin, IL. Alisa participated in numerous group and solo art shows in Chicago and suburbs.

Currently, Alisa Duda paints conceptual realism in her home studio in Rolling Meadows, IL. She's focused on her new series called Yuri & Olga, where she explores her creativity based around one family photo reference. She's planing to continue the series indefinitely.
Alisa will be the featured solo artist at the September 4th Fridays Art Show in The Dole Mansion, Crystal Lake IL.
For full list of exhibitions, and to see more of Alisa's art visit: alisaduda.com

Fallow Alisa on Instagram: .theartist

ABOUT HER 5 PAINTINGS

Hypnos
In Greek mythology, Hypnos is the god of sleep, known for bringing peaceful slumber. He is the son of Nyx (Goddess of Night) and Erebus (God of Darkness). Hypnos was also the twin brother of Thanatos (Death) and a father of Morpheus (God of dreams).

Cupid’s Bow
The "Cupid's bow" refers to the double curve of the upper lip, specifically the area where the two peaks meet, often resembling a bow. This anatomical feature is named after the Roman god of love, Cupid, who is often depicted with a bow and arrow.

Narcissus
Narcissism is a medical eponym characterized by extreme self-love based on idealized self-image. The diagnosis is named after the Greek mythological character Narcissus. He was a beautiful youth who fell in love with his own reflection and ultimately died from it, being transformed into the flower that bears his name.

Mania
In Greek mythology, Mania refers to the spirit of madness or insanity. The Maniae (plural of Mania) were personified spirits of insanity and frenzied rage and were a force that could drive mortals to extremes of mental instability.

Echo
In Greek mythology, Echo was an Oread, a mountain nymph, who was cursed by Hera to only be able to repeat the last words spoken to her. Echo's curse became the origin of the word "echo."

04/21/2026

250630 - Art in the Meadows #3 RMPD

Hi there,

I'm Stephanie Kowalczyk, creator of SinderKiln Pottery. I am so excited to share my passion for ceramics with the community I grew up in.

I began my journey with ceramics in 2007. What started out as a few classes at Harper College, transformed into a humbling journey that led me across the world. I apprenticed at Mazamar Art Pottery in the Mojave Desert, where I made 50 mugs a day among other functional wares. My newly honed talent led me to France. There I collaborated with Naiim Pottery, making lanterns and North African Tajines. I also embarked on a two-month backpacking trip to tour the iconic pottery of Japan. You may notice in my work, an homage to the many cultures that have inspire me as I strive to create functional art.

The thing I love most about pottery is its ability to connect people, whether it is across the dinner table or across the ocean. I can't wait to see where this love of clay will take me next.

04/21/2026

250501 - Art in the Meadows #2 RMPD

Learning a new hobby at 55 is not about starting
over—it's about starting fresh. It's in
rediscovering curiosity, embracing challenge, and
giving yourself permission to be a beginner
again.

I feel it can reawaken passions, create new
connections, and spark a sense of fulfillment
that’s deeply personal. I chose photography
because I could combine it with my love of travel. I
think photography and travel are the perfect
companions—one feeds the soul, the other captures
its expression. Capturing that perfect shot in
photography is a fleeting dance between patience
and instinct. It’s about seeing not just what’s in
front of you, but what could be—a story told in a
split second of light, shadow, and emotion.

Whether it's the golden hue of sunset washing over
a quiet street or a candid smile caught in motion,
the perfect shot often happens in a blink.
Mastering it means understanding your subject,
your surroundings, and your gear, but more
importantly, it means being present—ready to
freeze a moment that will never come again. I
can't wait for my next chance to explore a new
destination.

Jill O'Reily

04/12/2026

250320 - Art in the Meadows #1 RMPD

I hope you are well. I had 4 items on my agenda for
January 16, 2025. I had free time in the early
afternoon so I decided to take some pictures! The idea of a Salt Creek project intrigued me. I ended up with 59 shots from Campbell Street Bridge at Florey Park to Lois Drive Bridge. Our wonderful City of Rolling Meadows has so much to offer! We have July 4th Parade, Bites & Beats, Fridays Rock! Concert and many more. I finished my photo shoot of Salt Creek and something dawned on me. We don’t have any kind of Art Exhibit!
My intent is to start an ongoing Art Exhibit with art
created by Rolling Meadows residents! No charge, no accolades, just a place to show art in an open setting to be appreciated by all. Maybe this will inspire someone to do the same! I’ve approached several city officials regarding this and it’s been received with a lot of enthusiasm. Let’s see what evolves! .
Thanks a bunch! Be well, keep warm and stay safe!
Choose to Dance©
Roxy

UPDATE. AS OF MARCH 15, 2025!!!!
The first, (that I know of), Rolling Meadows art exhibit is March 20th and 21st 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It will be held at the Rolling Meadows Park District Adult Activity Center, (3705 Pheasant Drive). It will be in the library of the center, just follow the signs.
Our plan is to keep this as a continuing exhibit changing up the artist on a monthly basis. We hope to involve artists of Rolling Meadows only. This summer we would like to have the City's involvement and have these events possibly at Kimball Hill or other parks around our City! We would like to introduce ours to our City and at the same time bring people to our various venues, (Adult Activity Center, our schools, our parks who knows?).
This first exhibit presents some of the photographs from one of our residents. It was a photo shoot that she titled "Salt Creek from the Bridges of Rolling Meadows". The artist hopes to be there all day on Thursday and after noon on Friday. Admission is free for all.
Choose to Dance©
Roxy

04/11/2026

Community Volunteer Spotlight
Roxane Summer Finds Inspiration in Community Service
City of Rolling Meadows News and Views Winter 2026
Article by Ryan McKeon

Roxane (“Roxy”) Summer has called Rolling Meadows home for 10 years, but her record of volunteer service is one that most people likely would not match in a lifetime.

Organizations and groups to which she donates her time and talents include Community Church of Rolling Meadows; the Rolling Meadows Community Events Foundation; Rolling Meadows Garden Club; Rolling Meadows Park District Adult Activity Center (AAC); the AAC Advisory Board; the Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) Council; and Friends of the Rolling Meadows Library.

She is also a Friend of the City’s Veterans Committee.

“Volunteering makes me feel whole,” explained this retired quality assurance inspector/process engineer. “It’s rewarding to serve others – and I’ve met so many kind, gracious people and made some wonderful friendships along the way.”

Co-Founded Arts in the Meadows
One of Roxy’s proudest accomplishments is her role in establishing Arts in the Meadows, a rotating exhibition of local photographers, painters, sculptors, and other artists in collaboration with the Rolling Meadows Park District. She is forever grateful for the support of the event’s other co-founder, Kristina Sromek, a Park District recreation supervisor who passed away last summer. Exhibitions take place at the Adult Activity Center (3705 Pheasant Dr.), with plans to host future exhibitions at other locations across the City.

Roxy is also a photographer who enjoys capturing the City’s physical beauty in photos. One of her recent shoots highlighted “Salt Creek from the Bridges of Rolling Meadows.”

Good Vibes
“There is a lot I enjoy about this city, but my favorite thing about Rolling Meadows is its overall vibe,” Roxy said. “This is a friendly, caring community – one I love being part of.”

04/11/2026