The Collective
Located in the heart of Downtown Rockford, Illinois, Kith and Kin Art Collective was created by owner, Sandi Kohn. This creative collaborative features artists Drew Helge, Carrie Johnson, Drew Eurek, Jessica Quam, Rudy Galindo and Val Olafson.
Jessica Quam
Rockford Native. I am a multimedia artist that has been practicing for years. I attended the Art Institute of Chicago for painting. I transferred to Loyola University to receive my bachelors in Business Administration with emphasis on Marketing and Graphic Design. Since 2009 I have shown my art in galleries across the Illinois, I have taught local painting classes, donated handfuls of pieces for silent auctions non-profits (Rockford Art Museum, Pink Heels of Winnebago County), had several articles written in papers and published online, I’ve done hundreds of commission pieces, and collaborated with many local artist. I have had a digital piece shown at MoMA in New York City and I have a permanent piece hanging at The Standard.
Drew Eurek
Drew Eurek is an artist from Northern Illinois, who works in abstract expressionism using oil paint and charcoal on canvas. He has actively studied and painted for 20 years in the Northern Illinois area. His works play with color and form and are layered to show his progress from start to finish. Childhood experiences, as well as vintage film and magazines, are incorporated into his works to create a unique and exciting approach to each painting. Each piece strives to evoke emotion and familiarity from the viewer. Playing with shape and form, his work imposes joyful overtones with dark or deep subtext. His overall goal is to push the abstract and inner expressionism into a type of communication or feeling yet also appealing to core human sexuality and attraction. Drew takes his inspiration from childhood nostalgia and pin up art as well as technicolor film.
Carrie Johnson
I was born and raised in Rockford, IL. After living and working in Chicago for 10 years, I decided to move back to my hometown, a decision I never regretted. After working at Rockford Art Museum for several years, I decided to take my passion for painting more seriously. I rented studio space in the old Atwood building where I was able to dedicate more time to painting. After that I moved to Mainfraim studios where I was able to work with inspiring, talented people every day who pushed and encouraged me to keep on painting. I now paint out of my home studio where I live with my partner Rick and our two dogs, Petunia and Cowboy.
Painting has always provided me solace. I paint when I’m happy or when I’m sad. I paint when I’m hopeful and on the other hand, paint when I feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. I have found that I cannot just paint to paint. Each line has intention behind it and I have a particular thought in my head every time the brush hits the surface. I have made several paintings in the past that don’t have thought behind them and they get tossed. I guess you could say I’m an emotional artist. For the last several years, my work focused on loss however, this new body of work exudes hope. New lines of color are now at the forefront of my work with strong lines and imagery driving the work. I always look forward to seeing my work change as I navigate through life’s ups and downs.
Val Olafson
Valerie holds a BFA in Interior Architecture and Photography from NIU and a Masters in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As well has exhibited her Photographic work since 1996 in solo shows as well as group shows and collaborations, she has taught at RVC since 2000. She has also authored/co-authored several National Register nominations.
My first sojourn in art was theater and I dived in. At 30 I returned to college and earned a BFA in Interior Architecture and Photography, which I only picked up to add to the first but a flame was lit. A professor encouraged me to pursue a new Master’s program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Historic Preservation, marrying photography and architecture. I have used both as an adjunct instructor at RVC for the past 23 years. I have enjoyed showing my photographic work in solo exhibits, group shows, and some very personal collaborations. I am proud of the Historic Preservation work I have done by authoring several National Register nominations and serving on the Rockford Historic Preservation Commission. I like to think of myself as a Renaissance Woman.