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Website: www.theartcenterhp.org

Highland Park, IL — The Art Center Highland Park (TAC) is proud to announce Unfamiliar Patterns, an exhibition from the acclaimed painter Eleanor Spiess-Ferris and NYC-based sculptor, Michael Ferris. This mother and son duo are exhibiting a series of work exploring themes of identity and cultural tapestry.

Eleanor Spiess Ferris paints storybook-like scenes with ethereal beauty and enigmatic references. She brings her unique treatment of paint to a new series of gouache paintings, making this a rare collection of work from an artist whose work lives in museums and institutions across the U.S.

Michael Ferris carries his large-scale sculptures into the show: massive wooden busts depicting people he knows, each covered with cascading patterns hewn into the wood grain through a wood intarsia method. Alongside his mother’s work, Michael Ferris’s sculptures respond with a shared history, and make references to his own Lebanese heritage.

Unfamiliar Patterns explores the genealogical concert of inheritance, legacy, and the imprint of the artist passed down through relationships, time, and the action of creation.

Exhibition Details:

Opening Reception: November 6, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Exhibition Dates: November 6 – December 14, 2026
Location:
The Art Center Highland Park
1957 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035

For media inquiries, interviews, or images, please contact:
Caleb Smith – csmith@theartcenterhp.org
James Lynch – jlynch@theartcenterhp.org

About The Art Center Highland Park
The Art Center Highland Park (TAC) is a nonprofit visual arts organization dedicated to presenting innovative exhibitions, arts education, and community engagement. Committed to cultivating a deeper appreciation of the arts, TAC fosters inclusive access and creative dialogue across generations and communities.

Learn more at theartcenterhp.org