Exhibits

Main Gallery

1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN

Woven Worlds: Fiber as Medium, Thread as Language

June 20 through August 23, 2025

From the earliest days of human civilization, fiber has been essential to survival—woven from bark strips into baskets, spun from animal fibers into clothing and blankets. These materials and techniques, so deeply embedded in daily life, have also long served as inspiration for artists. Yet, because of their familiarity, fiber arts have often been dismissed by critics as mere craft or hobby rather than a legitimate fine art form.

Following World War II, fiber artists challenged this perception, transforming traditional fiber techniques into nonfunctional, conceptual works of art that aligned with the burgeoning women’s movement.

Pioneering artists such as Anni Albers and Claire Zeisler worked to overturn the notion that fiber was secondary to other artistic media, proving instead that it was a powerful vehicle for artistic expression.

This summer, South Shore Arts proudly presents Woven Worlds: Fiber as Medium, Thread as Language, an exhibition showcasing the diverse and innovative world of contemporary fiber arts. These artists have mastered and subverted everyday materials—wool, silk, thread, and more—using techniques like embroidery, felting, weaving, and knitting to craft deeply personal and culturally resonant works.

Fiber art is a multifaceted tradition that spans centuries and continents, reflecting both personal narratives and broader cultural histories. From the practical to the symbolic, fiber arts serve as a means of healing, identity expression, and societal storytelling. Woven Worlds blurs the line between reality and imagination, inviting viewers into a tapestry of dreams, cultural narratives, and unexpected beauty. Within this space, fibers become conduits for transformation and distortion, evoking both wonder and unease.

Curated by Exhibits Manager Brandon Johnson, Woven Worlds will feature the work of 20 Midwest artists and will be on display from June 20 through August 23, 2025, in the Main Gallery at South Shore Arts. The opening reception will take place on Friday, June 20, from 6–8 PM at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN. Join us as we celebrate fiber as a medium of boundless creativity and profound storytelling.

Atrium Gallery

Sound the Alarm: Juan Carlos Rodriguez

Artist reception: July 18, 6–8pm

South Shore Arts is proud to present Sound the Alarm, a powerful solo exhibition by artist Juan Carlos Rodriguez. Sound the Alarm is a collection of paintings aimed to prompt viewers to think about the world they live in. With every brush stroke, composition, and word placed, Rodriguez meticulously chooses to make the viewer realize that something is off here. Rodriguez showcases more than 18 recent paintings that explore the intersections of identity, community, and political consciousness through vibrant, movement-driven works.

Each piece transforms the canvas into a space where joy, struggle, resistance, and resilience converge. The exhibition confronts themes of displacement, identity politics, cultural erasure, and collective memory, offering a body of work that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

“At it’s core, my work is about connection. Whether addressing inequality or shedding light on uncomfortable truths, I want my art to resonate with people on a personal level. I aim to evoke a response that lingers, sparking dialogue and inspiring action. Art, for me, is not just a form of expression but a way to contribute to the collective conversation about who we are and who we can become.” - Juan Carlos Rodriguez

Sound the Alarm is a visual manifesto—an urgent call and a vibrant celebration of lived experience, resistance, and the power of community.

Substation No. 9

435 Fayette Street, Hammond, IN

Momentary: An Exhibition by The Underground Artists Group

August 1–September 13

Artist Reception: Friday, August 8, 6–8pm

Drawing from personal experiences, the featured artists explore the emotional terrain shaped by changing perspectives and the passage of time. With over 20 works in various media, Momentary offers a poignant meditation on fleeting joy, memory, and the quiet sorrow that often comes with change. The exhibition captures warmth, longing, and the uncertainty of the future with sensitivity and depth. Ultimately, Momentary is a tribute to the evolving nature of memory—how it shifts as we grow and move forward—encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and perhaps recognize echoes of their own stories in the work.

Substation No. 9 is open Mondays 5–8pm and Saturdays 10am–2pm

ARE YOU AN ARTIST?

More than 15 exhibitions fill four South Shore Arts galleries each year, showcasing regional, national and international artists and cultures. If you are an artist interested in exhibiting with South Shore Arts, submit your exhibit proposal here or contact Brandon Johnson, Gallery Coordinator, at Brandon@southshoreartsonline.org

SPONSOR AN EXHIBIT!

Advertise Your Business While Supporting the Arts.
Exhibit sponsors receive:
• logo and credit line on signage at exhibit
• logo and/or credit line in publicity and promotion
• opportunities for corporate entertaining throughout the exhibit

Contact Sandie Phalen, Director of Marketing and Development
219/836.1839, ext.107
 

© All images are copyrighted by the respective artists.