The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC) launched its 2020 tandem quarterly art shows series on February 5, and the response all around has been fabulous.
The week prior, the Larry Cohan’s Neighborhood Retrospective was hung throughout the Lyons Regional Library on new rigging procured by the library and the LAHC. Priscilla and Hanna Cohan, sisters of the local artist who suddenly passed away last September, were on hand with over fifty other attendees for the opening reception of the LAHC’s new Quarterly Lyons Regional Library Show series. Cohan’s retrospective, which is on display through April 3, features an array of scenes of Lyons and the 2013 flood done in Cohan’s approachable and unassuming folk style.

The LAHC’s Quarterly Town Hall Art Show series continues in town hall’s Shirley F. Johnson Council Chambers, and is open for viewing when the room is not in use for town business. The theme for the current show, also on display until April 3, features varied artistic responses to this show’s theme, “Twenties – What’s In A Number?”
Reception attendees were encouraged to stroll between the two nearby venues for a dual local-art experience. Small empanadas provided by local Macarena Schrodt-Anguita and beverages were available at the library. The donations received at these and other such events help fuel LAHC’s numerous arts undertakings.
The next tandem opening reception is slated for April 8 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. The theme for the next Town Hall Art Show is “Plein Air – Bringing Outdoors In” and, as always, is open to all genres, interpretations, ages, and abilities. Area artists are invited to bring up to five ready-to-wall-hang pieces to Town Hall on April 3 between 5 and 7 p.m. The second Lyons Regional Library Show will feature Lyons’ Sally White King’s “Bearable Light” solo exhibit.
For those visual artists and writers who might like to work ahead, the next ‘open to everyone’ Town Hall Art Shows are themed, “Abstraction – ‘In Other ‘Words’” (hangs July 31 through October 9) and “Free For All – Whatever Floats Your Boat” (hangs October 9 through January 8).
If any local musicians, performers, or culinary purveyors are interested in exploring what providing entertainment, appetizers, and/or beverages at these events might look like, please contact Arielle Hodgson at ahodgson@townoflyons.com.
The LAHC appreciates and encourages a 10% to 20% donation from any sales of art that happen during the course of or as a result of these shows. Donations are also always welcome. This revenue is critical to achieving the commission’s goals for expansion of local arts opportunities for public edification and enjoyment.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming involved with the LAHC or being considered for a future showcase at a 2021 Quarterly Regional Library Shows, please contact Lauren Click, the LAHC’s chair: laurenmclick@gmail.com.