LLCC Trutter Museum to open “Small World—Near to Far” exhibit Sept. 25

Exhibit features pieces from Trutter collection and LLCC art faculty; public invited to opening reception 5-7 p.m.

The Philip and Mary Kathryn Trutter Museum at LLCC is celebrating the opening of a new exhibit, “Small World—Near to Far,” on Friday, Sept. 25. The opening reception is being held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Trutter Center on the Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. The public is invited.

“Small World—Near to Far” is the sixth exhibit in the museum and will feature nearly 70 items, with 43 small pieces, from the Trutter world heritage collection. Pieces being featured in the exhibit include a bronze Chinese Temple Dog from the early Ching dynasty (1644-1912), Japanese Netsuke ivory carvings, clay Peruvian “Facepot” or “Portrait Jug,” amethyst carvings of monkeys and stone carvings of faces from the Yucatan. Big and bold art being featured will include signed prints by Salvador Dali and Marc Chagall.

To celebrate the talent of the world close to home, the exhibit also will feature the artwork of current LLCC art faculty and professional artists Michelle Coakes, Al Shull, Leslie Stalter and Thom Whalen, in addition to artwork by founding LLCC art faculty. Various pieces by Springfield photographer Carrie Beard will be on display at the opening reception.

Philip, a local architect, and his wife, Mary Kathryn Trutter, traveled throughout the world from the late 1950s through the mid-1970s. Traveling around the world approximately 10 times and visiting 100 countries and principalities, they collected a vast array of art, artifacts and other cultural items of interest. The Trutters exhibited a love of lifelong learning and desired to share their values with the LLCC community. About 750 pieces in the Trutter collection and a cash gift were bequeathed to the college after Mr. Trutter’s passing in December 2000.

Museum hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and anytime by appointment. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact Janet Semanik at 217.786.2217 or visit www.llccfoundation.org.