Waubonsee Community College is hosting a new exhibition titled “Marie Von Ohlen: An Artful Life” to honor the memory of the late artist and her contributions to the college and the local community. The exhibit, which features 21 of Marie Von Ohlen’s paintings, opened on the Sugar Grove campus and will remain available for public viewing until December 12, 2023. A public reception is scheduled for November 19, 2023, from 16:30 to 19:30, and will include a lecture by her daughter, Ellen Von Ohlen, who will discuss her mother’s artistic journey and her role in the college’s establishment.
Marie Von Ohlen, who passed away from breast cancer at the age of 42, was a passionate painter and a significant figure in the founding of Waubonsee Community College. Ellen, now 69 and residing in Oswego, reflects on her mother’s legacy, noting how the artist would often paint landscapes in the open air with friends from the Aurora Art League. These works captured everyday scenes from local neighborhoods, showcasing Marie’s love for her community.
Ellen’s deeper understanding of her mother’s artistic life was shaped by a book written by Nancy Hopp in 2011 about Ruth Van Sickle Ford, a renowned watercolor artist who mentored Marie. Ellen recalls fond memories of her parents collaborating to establish the Aurora area’s first community college. Her father, Dale Von Ohlen, played a crucial role as the steering committee leader that founded the college in 1966 and served as its first board president.
In a poignant gesture, when the college sought to name a building after Dale, he requested it also honor Marie, leading to the establishment of Von Ohlen Hall, which serves as the fine arts center. Dale also set up the Marie E. Von Ohlen Memorial Endowed Scholarship using funds from his board president reimbursements. Ellen’s request for an exhibit emerged after she received a heartfelt thank you from the college’s new president, Brian Knetl, in 2022 for her contribution of artworks.
The exhibition at Waubonsee Community College is significant not only for its artistic showcase but also for its ties to the college’s history. Knetl expressed enthusiasm about the exhibit, having previously seen Marie’s work during renovations of the fine arts building. One of her paintings is prominently displayed between Von Ohlen and Bodie halls, named after Richard Bodie, Marie’s physician and a former board member.
Marie Von Ohlen is celebrated as a “prolific” painter and a strong supporter of Waubonsee’s mission. She actively contributed to the college’s growth, even designing promotional materials that helped pass the referendum establishing the institution. Although she aspired to be an architect, societal expectations of her time led her to pursue a career in art instead, starting at the Art Institute of Chicago. After marrying Dale, she dedicated herself to family activities while nurturing her passion for painting.
Throughout her artistic career, Marie would venture out with fellow artists from the Aurora Art League to capture the essence of local landscapes, creating a visual narrative of her surroundings. Ellen has shared that her favorite painting is of a busy Shell gas station in Aurora, which she feels represents her close bond with her father. Another deeply cherished piece is titled “Be Still and Know That I Am God,” created during her mother’s battle with cancer. Ellen describes the painting as a reflection of her mother’s struggles and love for her family.
As the exhibition progresses, it serves as a celebration of Marie Von Ohlen’s artistic legacy and her profound impact on the community and the college. Ellen hopes that visitors will connect with the art and gain insight into her mother’s life, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of creativity.
