Milner Library will host an exhibit reception and artist meet and greet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 17. The exhibit Collaborative Explorations, currently on display on Floor 2, is a selection of works created through the partnership between Illinois State University’s Visiting Artist Program and Normal Editions Workshop (NEW).

In 2017 NEW received an award from the Fell Trust to bring artist Amy Cousins to Illinois State University and work on a collaborative print project with the NEW team. Cousins’ collaboration with NEW resulted in the print Can’t Stop Dancing currently on display in Milner Library as part of the exhibition Collaborative Explorations.

Cousins has returned to Illinois State University this semester for a long-term residency as part of the Visiting Artists Program. During her time on campus, she has been teaching a weekly seminar and working on her own creative projects.

The Visiting Artist program at Illinois State University features a number of short and long-term residents each semester with the goal of bringing “diverse artistic practices and fresh voices to the School of Art.” Normal Editions Workshop has enjoyed a close relationship with the Visiting Artist Program, and the exhibition at Milner Library features recent prints completed by artists who came to Illinois State as part of the Visiting Artists Program.

Cousins will sign some of her prints and speak about this project at the October 17 reception. She will also be donating one of the impressions from her project to the ISU LGBTQ Institute. This generous gift was inspired by Associate Professor Paula Ressler and Becca Chase, who gave Cousins a tour of the institute last year.

Light refreshments will be served at the reception.