“Hunt & Gather”

Evanston Art Center

2603 Sheridan Rd.

Sunday, April 16

1-4 p.m.

Admission: Free

The Evanston Art Center’s spring benefit auction begins Sunday with a public reception.

The annual fundraising event consists of a month-long exhibition and a silent auction, culminating in a party and live auction on May 13.

The exhibition, which features contemporary art every year, has pieces donated by more than 100 artists, with the auction’s proceeds going to the art center’s school and to other programs.

There are two new features to the benefit this year, said Lelde Kalmite, the center’s spokeswoman.

In addition to the art donated by the artists themselves, the center has also received donations from galleries and prominent collectors in the Chicago area, Kalmite said.

The center will also auction off pieces of tribal art.

“People who are interested in contemporary art also tend to be interested in tribal art,” Kalmite said.

The tribal art collection is made up of donations from several artists and includes pieces from Africa and New Guinea.

“Our executive director, Alan Leder, said this is the best collection of auction work that he’s seen in many, many years,” Kalmite said.

Community members and art enthusiasts are encouraged to stop by to “hunt and gather contemporary art,” or just to admire the exhibition, she said.

There will be a reception with the artists on April 23.

“Dialogue” opening reception

Gillock Gallery

1402 1/2 Greenleaf St.

Saturday, April 15th

6-9 p.m.

Admission: Free

A reception for Chicago artist Norbert Marszalek’s “Dialogue” series is planned to take place this Saturday at the Gillock Gallery’s Evanston location.

Marszalek’s “Dialogue” series consists of paintings that each depict a person sitting across from the viewer with different expressions, as if in conversation.

For the last two years, Marszalek’s pieces have been part of group exhibitions across the country, including the Bowery Gallery in New York and the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago.

The next solo showing of Marszalek’s work will be from May 15 to June 9 at the Rosewood Arts Center in Kettering, Ohio.

The Gillock Gallery has been part of the North Shore arts scene since 2001 and opened a second location in Chicago in January.

The “Dialogue” exhibit has been on display at the gallery since April 1 and will run through April 29.

Reach Anna Prior at [email protected].