Mount Vernon fine artist Michael Aldag has a photograph titled “Quiet Bell” (2025) featured in the Illinois All-State Art Exhibition at the Giertz Gallery, Parkland College in Champaign. The work, part of his “Temple” series documenting former church buildings in Southern Illinois, depicts the former home of Bell Missionary Baptist Church in rural Iuka. The juried exhibition runs from June 8 to July 23 and showcases contemporary Illinois artists.
This matters because it highlights the recognition of a regional artist in a statewide juried exhibition, underscoring the role of community-based art shows in elevating local talent. Aldag’s inclusion as the southernmost artist in the show brings visibility to Southern Illinois’ art scene and demonstrates how personal heritage and faith can inspire a cohesive photographic series that resonates beyond its immediate locale.