Human form takes the spotlight in ‘Body Language’

An Oak Park Art League student engaged in a sculpture class. "Body Language" is one of the league's few annual exhibitions that provides a venue for figure sculptors.

Go figure! The Oak Park Art League wants to inspire people to appreciate artworks based on the human form, either by taking classes or simply enjoying its annual “Body Language” art exhibit.

“Body Language,” on display at the league’s main gallery, 720 Chicago Ave., from Feb. 8 to March 5, will feature artworks by a wide variety of artists who responded to an open call for body-themed pieces.

“This is a really popular show for us because it allows people who do figure sculpture to have a venue for their work,” said the league’s executive director David Stoklosa. Whereas the league holds other open call exhibits, many themes don’t lend themselves to art representing the human figure, he explained.

“I think we will see a higher level of sculpture this year because we’ve really put an emphasis on it over the last two sessions [of classes],” Stoklosa said.

About 50 artists are expected to exhibit up to three works each in “Body Language.” There are no restrictions on media or size of artworks.

“It’s a very attractive show for people. It caters to an entirely different element,” Stoklosa added.

“Body Language” has been a regular league event for about a decade and tends to attract a relatively large audience, as do most of the league’s open call exhibits.

Besides exhibiting some of the creative ways in which artists depict the human form, Stoklosa said he hopes “Body Language” will introduce more people to the league’s figure drawing and sculpture classes. To help, a live model will be on hand in a second-floor studio during the exhibit’s opening reception, which will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8.

“We will have you come here and get inspired by what you see, and then have the opportunity to go upstairs and complete a work,” Stoklosa said. “We’re trying to generate interest in the classes we have.”

This winter, for example, the league is offering drop-in figure study sessions and classes in figure drawing, figure painting and sculpture.

“We get the comment a lot that ‘I’ve lived in Oak Park for years and had no idea you were here,’ ” Stoklosa said. He hopes that exhibitions like “Body Language” will change that and increase awareness of league programs for adults and children.

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