Vibrant Spirits: The Art of Derek Webster
July 8, 2004 - October 2, 2004

Press Release:
Exhibit of Chicago Artist Derek Webster opens July 8 at Intuit

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art will present the exhibition Vibrant Spirits: The Art of Derek Webster from July 8 through October 2, 2004 at Intuit, 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday; admission is free. School of the Art Institute Art History Professor Marilyn Houlberg curates the exhibition. It will open with a reception on Thursday, July 8 from 5 - 8 p.m.

Born in 1934 in Honduras, Webster was raised by his mother and grandmother in Belize and Honduras. He came to the United States at age 30 to visit his sister and decided to stay. He worked as a maintenance man for 14 years before he was able to buy a home for his family, his wife and daughter, in Chicago. In 1978, his newfound proprietorship sparked an urge to personalize his house and yard. Utilizing whatever materials he could find - wood, glass, jewelry, and other found objects - Webster sculpted creatures from his imagination.

Webster's internationally recognized yard art is a strong example of one man's effort to share his cultural roots and sense of accomplishment with his community. Through the exhibition at Intuit, a significantly increased number of local community members will be able to understand the overseas journey that led one man to express his proud sense of place in Chicago. It is also a perfect example of Intuit's continuing efforts to call attention to inspired artistic achievement and to promote a universal creative spirit, not one that is garnered by an insular community of academically trained artists and scholars.

As part of the Chicago Park District's Art in the Garden project opening in June 2004, Webster will be one of 24 artists who will each transform a garden in Chicago into a unique artistic environment by using plants, sculptures, and a variety of creative elements. Webster's work will be featured at Douglas Park and in the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Running concurrently in Intuit's front gallery through August 28 is Outside the Lines: Ordinary Pastimes, Extraordinary Art. Genesis: Gifts and Promised Gifts from Intuit's Permanent Collection will open in September.