Contact: Kyla Kruse 

SPRINGFIELD — The Trutter Museum & Murray Gallery at Lincoln Land Community College will host the exhibit “Underfoot” featuring artwork by Illinois-based painter Kevin Veara March 2-April 10. The exhibit is open for viewing weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except during mid-semester break March 7-15. The museum and gallery are located on the upper level of Menard Hall on the LLCC Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road.

Veara’s artwork celebrates the intricate life of the Sangamon River ecosystem. Known for his vivid depictions of birds and the native environments they inhabit, he creates paintings that merge close observation with a deep personal connection to place.

Working in acrylic, Veara documents moments of quiet vitality — the return of a favorite bird, the brief call of a seasonal visitor or the way native plants nourish and protect the creatures that rely on them. His paintings highlight the interconnectedness of the river landscape while offering viewers a portrait of the Midwest’s subtle but profound biodiversity.

Living on several acres along the south fork of the Sangamon River, Veara has become closely attuned to the rhythms of migration, plant cycles and the interdependent relationships between species. His ongoing efforts to restore native habitat — removing invasives, supporting natural plant communities and observing the river through seasonal change — informs the authenticity and intimacy of his imagery.

Veara earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and has worked in numerous public and private collections. Alongside his studio practice, he is the owner and operator of Black Moon Tattoo in Springfield.

Learn more about LLCC’s Trutter Museum & Murray Gallery and its exhibits at www.llcc.edu/trutter-murray.