Aurora Public Art Gallery Unveils "Kinora: A Cultural Heritage Group Show" Running through 9/20/25

By Marita Valdizan, a native of Peru, that includes her signature Peruvian wire crochet. ARTIST'S STATEMENT: "For the first time, I’m creating both sculpture and installation at a monumental scale. It’s an exciting opportunity for me, not only as an artist, but also personally as I get to share the roots of my life, my history, and my family’s legacy with the community."

Showcasing the talents of artists such as Georgene Schramer, former Mayor Tom Weisner’s aunt, Ward 10 Aurora Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Abdoulaye Conde, Martha Ponzio, Marita Valdizan, Karla Wong, Varun Vasireddy and Breyona Smith, Kinora: A Cultural Heritage Group Show features art exhibits that celebrate global diversity!

A highlight of the show is the inclusion of significant ethnographic artifacts from the Solomon Islands, generously provided by the family collection of former Mayor Tom and Marilyn Weisner, and art from Papua New Guinea, from the family collections of Milton & Cecil Johnson and Marcus & Christine Felde. Addam Brummel also contributes a utilitarian piece from Africa.

The exhibit at 20 E. Downer Place in Aurora, IL will run from Friday, August 1 to Saturday, September 20. Aurora Public Art’s gallery hours are from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M. on Wednesday through Friday, and from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. on Saturday.