Evanston Art Center Opened Whispers in the Dark Exhibit
The new exhibition showcases mental health through the works of seven artists in the Lobby Gallery.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Evanston Art Center has launched Whispers in the Dark, an exhibition exploring mental health, personal history, and social taboos. The show serves as the final installment of the COMPASS residency program.
Why it matters
By focusing on underrepresented artists, this exhibition creates a space for dialogue around marginalized social issues. It offers visitors a visual exploration of complex psychological experiences through various creative mediums.
The show features seven artists and includes specific works such as three abstract self-portraits by Matilda Brumbaugh. The display utilizes diverse mediums including oil, acrylic paint pens, and pastels.
The players
Evanston Art Center
This local institution hosts exhibitions and provides community space for art education and cultural engagement.
Azul Alberto Nogueron
He is the curator behind the COMPASS residency program which aims to highlight marginalized artists.
Matilda Brumbaugh
She is a contributing artist known for her abstract self-portraiture work.
Tiffany Grove
She is a featured artist whose work contributes to the thematic exploration of mental health in this exhibit.
Ricky Terrell
He is a contributing painter whose series of journal-themed works are displayed in the collection.
The details
The exhibit, currently housed in the center's Lobby Gallery, features specific contributions such as Tiffany Grove's painting The Magician Longs to See and Ricky Terrell's works Journal Entry No. 2 and Journal Entry No. 4. It marks the concluding chapter of curator Azul Alberto Nogueron's COMPASS residency.
Timeline
Matilda Brumbaugh completed her piece Unto Eternity in 2025.
The exhibition held its opening reception on September 27, 2026.
The exhibit is scheduled to remain on display until November 1, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This exhibit follows the precedent set by Azul Alberto Nogueron's COMPASS residency, a program dedicated to elevating marginalized voices within the art community. The conclusion of this residency signals a transition in the local gallery's programming focus.
Visitors can view the collection in the Lobby Gallery throughout the duration of the show. The exhibition provides local residents with an accessible opportunity to engage with contemporary works addressing mental health.
The takeaway
Artistic exploration serves as a vital tool for processing personal history and difficult social conversations. Viewers should consider how different mediums, from pastels to oil, change the emotional impact of a subject like mental health.
Further reading
Discover more about current displays at the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Northwestern.
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