Jean Poklop is a painter working with realistic images to speak allegorically on spiritual and environmental themes. Cycles of time, of life, and of nature are her subjects. Born in Chicago in 1934, she has maintained her studio in Park Ridge, IL for many years. She received her professional training at the University of Illinois (BFA Painting) and at Columbia College (MA Interdisciplinary Arts Education). Currently, she is affiliated with Space 900, a cooperative artists group located at 1040 W. Huron, Chicago, and with Gallery E.G.G. at 1474 W. Hubbard, Chicago.
Her work is represented in numerous private collections, including the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and Meister Brau. It has been seen in One Person Exhibits throughout the State, including Loyola University, Chicago, Illini Union Gallery, Urbana, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, and Old Town Triangle Association, Chicago. As a working artist, Jean participates in a number of group and juried exhibitions each year. Her work has been included in exhibits at the Union League Club, Beverly Art Center, Illinois State Fair, Watercolor U.S.A., Evanston Art Center, and the Muse-Arts Sales and Rental Gallery, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MO.
Jean has been an art instructor since 1986, teaching in the Adult Continuing Education Program for Oakton Community College as well as at the Old Town Triangle Association, North Lakeside Cultural Center, Art Encounter, Evanston, and Expressways Children’s Museum, Chicago Cultural Center. Currently, she is on the faculty of the Suburban Fine Art Center, Highland Park, IL and conducts water-media workshops from her studio.
As an active participant in the arts community, Jean is a member of the Chicago Society of Artists, Chicago Artist’s Coalition, and Chicago Women’s Caucus For Art. She has served on the advisory board for “Cultures Connection to Foreign Relations” at Oakton Community College, helped develop A Fine Arts Appreciation course for District 64, Park Ridge, and been an artist in residence at Wescott School, Northbrook, IL. She has been a guest artist at Columbia College, Morraine Valley College, Oakton Community College and Loyola University.
Jean’s most recent work, in watercolor and acrylic, deals with the environment and the guardians of our natural world. She continues to use her own landscape photographs and sketches as background material for the contextual Pieces she creates.