These paintings pay homage to the Hudson River School, particularly Bierstadt - and like those works, DeJong's paintings have idealized, romantic overtones. The thing that is amazing about these tiny images is that so completely and effectively convey the power of nature - the vastness of mountains, the fury of weather, the force of rushing water, the power of nature to begin and end life. In revisiting the Goethals exhibition after seeing DeJong's paintings, one is struck by the capacity of nature to touch the soul in such significant and visceral ways - and the power of art to make that happen. Beauty can draw us into an infinite in which we can recognize ourselves. Michael DeJong will be shown through July 8.
Handsome catalogs accompany both shows.
The Sioux City Art Center is a block off the interstate at 225 Nebraska Street. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and the facility is fully accessible. No feedback has been posted yet.