Last week I attended the opening of a Skokie Art Spot popup a couple blocks from my home. Hosted by Skokie’s Fine Arts Commission and juried by Skokie artist Jay Ryan, the exhibition features creations from artists who live or work in Skokie.
As I made my way around the exhibition, a small group were fixated on Bastet by Pamela Sloan. As they discussed it, they were approached by Sloan, who proceeded to answer questions about the piece and her career.
Is it a horse? Is it a bunch of rocks? Whatever you might see, it is beautiful.
Bastet is part of Sloan’s Unearthed series, in which she buries paper in soil for several months at historically significant areas. Upon unearthing, the paper has been transformed into fascinating pieces of art. Sloan might add slight touches to the piece.
Talking a bit more to Sloan, I was pleasantly surprised to learn one of her latest unearthing projects is located where I grew up on the Far Southeast Side of Chicago. I already am looking forward to seeing that piece when it is unearthed.
I also connected with Ellie Henderson, whose The Good Ole Days work fascinated me. Owner of The Ellie Bellie Sweet Shop, Henderson is an artist who works with ceramic pieces and sculptures. A thought-provoking piece, this transports the viewer to simpler, younger days.
© Ellie Henderson
© Ellie Henderson
The popup is relatively small but impactful. A first for Skokie’s Fine Arts Commission, I hope it is not the last.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jan 14, 2026Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica Unveils Multimillion-Dollar Transformation
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica recently debuted its $16 million transformation of all 315 guestrooms and 15,000 square feet of meeting space. The update also includes a brand-new, all-day restaurant. Renovations of the Santa Monica, California, property began in 2024.
Sponsored Content
SAIL UNIQUE: A New Chapter in Luxury Ocean Travel
Imagine a place where European elegance meets the rhythm of the sea, where time slows and every detail is designed to inspire connection, discovery and a deeper sense of ease. This is Explora Journeys, the European luxury lifestyle ocean brand redefining how the world is explored by sea.
Daily
Jan 14, 20262026 Wave Season Deals You Should Know About
It’s officially wave season, meaning there’s great deals on tap across many cruise lines, both big and small. Save on these brands for your next cruise:
eFlyer Reviews
Jan 14, 2026Bab Samhan, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah Review
Diriyah is engineered as an immersive first “touchpoint” for visitors to Saudi Arabia, putting history and culture front and center. While still a work in progress, it is already a place that reflects the future of destination tourism spelled out in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With enforced building codes dictated by the original Najdi villages of the region, it also serves as a more relaxed alternative to Riyadh’s futuristic downtown core.
Sponsored Content
Gorilla Forest Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary, Reopens After Stunning Transformation
Gorilla Forest Lodge offers an unrivaled base for encountering mountain gorillas. The lodge's location inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s gates means guests are never far from these magnificent creatures, with gorillas occasionally wandering onto the property itself.
eFlyer News
Jan 14, 2026Mandarin Oriental Opening in Mallorca
This spring, Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca, debuts, bringing a design-forward retreat to the coastline near Puerto Portals. With direct access to two secluded coves, panoramic views, and a strong commitment to Mallorcan arts and heritage, this resort sets a new standard of luxury hospitality in the region.
eFlyer Lead
Jan 14, 2026International Hotel Chain Rebrands
After nearly 100 years operating properties across the world, Group Barrière, one of France’s most iconic luxury hospitality brands, rebrands to Barrière Collection, separating the group’s portfolio into four distinct categories, each relating back to core facets of the brand’s identity.
Sponsored Content
Ireland: The Pinnacle of Golf by the Sea and Beyond
With the legacy of The Open at Royal Portrush still fresh, Ireland secured its place among the world’s most exceptional golf destinations. For those in search of championship courses, dramatic landscapes and renowned hospitality, the island offers an experience unlike any other.
Daily
Jan 14, 2026Turkish Airlines Launches New Routes to Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s vibrant capital of Phnom Penh (KTI) is easier to reach than ever thanks to new routes launched by Turkish Airlines. Offered three times per week, new routes operate from Istanbul (IST) on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with return flights to Istanbul on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
ShareThis