The Barrington Area Arts Council presents Barrington artist Kelly Stachura in a solo exhibition entitled noir et blanc at BAAC Gallery at the Barrington Area Library. The exhibit will be on display March 3 to May 1. Barrington Area Library is located at 505 N. N.W. Highway in Barrington.

A Barrington High School graduate, Kelly Stachura began her undergraduate study of art at William Rainey Harper College (2003), later earning her bachelor's of fine arts in studio art at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2005). A prolific multimedia artist with inclusion in over 30 exhibitions in Chicago, throughout Illinois, and in New York City, Kelly has received various awards for her talents, including The School of the Art Institute of Chicago Student Leadership Award ('04 to '05); the Corporate Creativity Award ('04 & '05); the Nippon Steel USA Award ('04 & '05); the Awards in Art 2004 Exhibition (Fiber--ISU University Galleries, Normal, Ill.); and the Small Works Purchase Award ('03, William Rainey Harper College, Palatine).

Kelly Stachura was the recipient of the Merit, Academic Incentive, and Enrichment Scholarships ('03, '04, '05, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago) and the Renee Windle Danforth Memorial Endowment/Fine Art Scholarship ('03, William Rainey Harper College), among others; has published articles; and is presently photographer for Terpsichore Dance Ensemble (Libertyville) and costume designer for Ellen Werksman & Julie Salk (Midwest Dance Collective). Her art resides in the permanent collections of Joan Flasch Artists' Books Collection (Chicago); The School of the Art Institute of Chicago ("Steady" 162 Residencies Collection); and William Rainey Harper College.

Kelly states, "In my photographs...I blend the elements of line, form, shadow, and positive/negative space...in this state of masked personality and individuality, a new identity is formed through the power of gesture...still images are created from fluid, time-based movement and are transformed into eternal static form."

Kelly's photographic images, "The Barrington Series" (local scenes, framed art, and notecards), are available at the Barrington Area Arts Council Gift Boutique at 121-B Barrington Commons Court, downtown Barrington, which will also soon include her jewelry and ceramics.