Resonance

Sunday, May 17, 2026 • 12–3 p.m.

Opening reception for artists Tony Bedolla, Lenin Delsol, Stuart Fullerton, Mary Qian and Iona Ellsworth from The Palette and Chisel art club.

Held in the Vanderpoel Art Gallery
Ridge Park Fieldhouse
9625 S. Longwood Drive, Chicago

Free admission and parking

The Palette & Chisel began in 1895, when students from the Art Institute came together to augment their formal studies. Today, the Palette is a thriving art community of students, members, and teachers who focus on realist painting and drawing, primarily working from life. They offer dozens of classes for all levels and have open studios for artists to hone their craft. They host exhibitions with art for sale, as well as social gatherings and lectures. Artists from the Palette are well represented in the Vanderpoel Art collection and John Vanderpoel was a devoted friend of P&C during his lifetime (1857–1911).

The word “Resonance” means “a phenomenon in which a vibrating system or external force drives another system to oscillate with greater amplitude at specific frequencies.”

The artists in this show used concepts, techniques and philosophies of past masters, such as John Vanderpoel, to create their own unique visual languages and harmonies. In this way, the traditions and discoveries of the past are brought forward, creating “resonance” in their work. Iona Ellsworth came up with the concept.

Tony Bedolla, a native of Chicago’s Southwest Side, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, American Academy of Art, and the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts. He is unique in blending graphite pencil drawings and oil paintings without using blending tools. Now mastering impressionism, Tony pays particular attention to movement and emotion within his figure anatomy paintings and is teaching his techniques to fellow artists.

Lenin Delsol, a Chicago-based painter and draughtsman runs Envisionaire, Inc., a commercial art studio. He works and teaches in watercolor, pastel, and oil and serves as vice president of the Palette & Chisel.

Stuart Fullerton, president of Palette and Chisel, attended Harvard and retired after a long career as a federal prosecutor. Stuart has been teaching art since 2012 and refers to John Vanderpoel’s book “The Human Figure“ in his classes. He is also a signature member of the Oil Painters of America and of the American Impressionist Society.

Mary Qian grew up in Shanghai, China and after graduating from Brigham Young University, she moved to Chicago. A longtime member and board member of Palette & Chisel, Mary is influenced by naturalism and impressionism and her paintings capture the sitter from life.

Iona Ellsworth grew up in New Mexico, graduated from Colorado College and obtained a post-baccalaureate certificate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where her main interest became classical realism. She has developed a strong understanding of the principles of light, form and composition through many workshops, including the Florence Academy of Art and Grand Central Atelier.

Past exhibits and events

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The gallery is now accessible by elevator.
Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – noon. 
Call 773-294-8311 for information or an appointment.

Ridge Park Fieldhouse, 9625 S. Longwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60643

Send donations and correspondence to: 10429 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, IL 60643