Michelle Coakes, art professor, will have nine pieces of ceramic art featured in a statewide exhibit at the State Street Gallery in Chicago Oct. 16-Dec. 21. The exhibit, “Connections: Select Work by Illinois Artists and Artisans,” highlights the work of 33 artists and artisans living and working in Illinois. The juried collection is largely tactile and three dimensional.

An artists’ reception will be held on Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m. The gallery is located on Robert Morris University’s Chicago campus, 401 South State St., Chicago, IL 60605. It is open Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Featured artists and artisans include: Sharon Bladholm, William Butler, Michelle Coakes, Michael Coakes, Kass Copeland, Sharon Davie-Barrett, Tammy Deck, Roberta Elliott, Deborah Fell, Alan Emerson Hicks, Sarah Kaiser, Ginny Lee, Anne Leuck, Patty Kochaver, Mays Mayhew, Eugenia Meltzer, Jason Messinger, Heather McQueen, Didier Nolet, Dennis O’Malley, Nancy Pirri, Robin Power, Michelle Rial, Mary Russell, John Scarborough, Beth Shadur, Laurie Shaman, Hugh Spector, Jim Spizzo, Mary Watson, Nina Weiss, James Wilbat and Shelley Wright.

View the poster for the exhibit: Connections: Select Work by Illinois Artists and Artisans.