BROOKINGS – The Brookings Arts Council will host a “Meet the Artist” reception featuring Eileen Binkley from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5.

Binkley is a Brookings art teacher and artist with works reflecting her vision of South Dakota through the eyes of motherhood. 

BAC Executive Director Heather Kuhlman said Binkley’s pieces are fresh, innocent and are expressions of the artists’ childhood memories, and inspired by charmed vintage illustrations of beloved children’s books.

In describing her work, Binkley explains that when pregnant, she reflected on her childhood. “Becoming a mother restored the innocent feeling of being a child, and I realized that I could still make art. This body of work was created over four years and two pregnancies.”

Binkley’s exhibit opens Wednesday with an artist’s reception and talk being held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the BAC. Her artist talk will begin at approximately 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

The public is invited to attend to ask questions of Binkley and to enjoy her work. Her exhibit will run through Nov. 3, and her works will be available for purchase. 

The exhibit is open to the public with no admission charge. The Brookings Arts Council, 524 Fourth St., is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, contact call 692-4177 or email artscouncil@brookings.net.

Eileen Binkley photo