Rarely Viewed McDonald’s Art Collection Comes to Michigan City

Housed in their corporate offices in Oak Brook, IL, and throughout the United States, McDonald’s Corporate art collection spans decades and includes more than 3,700 pieces of 2- and 3-D art works by regional, national and international artists. Thanks to a unique arrangement, local residents will have a rare opportunity to view these distinguished works for a limited time at Lubeznik Center for the Arts. McDonalds-art-1

Opening on Saturday, November 13 with a fundraising preview and reception, Beyond the Arches: Selected Works from McDonald's Corporate Art Collection will feature 38 pieces from a remarkable collection of 20th century works by American artists.

Included in the exhibit is Down the River by renowned painter and collage artist Mary Lou Zelazny. An adjunct professor at Chicago's School of the Art Institute, Zelazny combines paint and paper images to create compositions that are at once real and surreal. In Down by the River she paints and constructs two faceless figures, composed of mechanical parts, weapons and household objects. The work explores a favorite Zelazny theme: Setting forth on water.

McDonalds-art-2Also evoking a theme of motion is a dynamic bronze figure by sculptor Ted Gall, titled Motion. With a wheel for feet, Gall's figure flings himself forward, a discarded mask thrust in front, cape streaming behind.

Fans of all things McDonald's are sure to notice the iconic arches subtly portrayed in the chrome bumper of a late '50s Chevy Impala in Jon McDonald's (no relation!) Reflections. Commissioned by McDonald's Corporation, the colorful painting is sure to evoke memories of car culture and drive-ins.

The exhibit will be on display in Lubeznik Center's Hyndman Gallery through February 13. A public opening reception for Beyond the Arches, as well as Jack Lane's Saloon Society Chicago Style, will be held on November 19 from 6-8 p.m. On Tuesday, November 30, Professor Emerita, Purdue University, Guest Lecturer Joan Chesterton will discuss the works in an evening program. For more information please phone 219.874.4900 or visit www.lubeznikcenter.org

Beyond the Arches: Selected Works from McDonald's Corporate Art Collection is sponsored by: LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, McDonald's, Northern Indiana Lakes Magazine, WIMS AM 1420 and WNIT Public Television. McDonalds-art-3

The Lubeznik Center is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Galleries are closed on Mondays. For more information please visit www.lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900. All times are based on Chicago time.