11 Aug “Beautiful Beliefs” Selected for Juried Exhibition with the Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists, “Later Impressions” – Opening Reception August 14, 2026
Chicago Alliance
of Visual Artists
“Later Impressions” – Presented by The Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists – RSVP Here!
Greetings Friends!
It is very fulfilling to find myself in this prolific season of artistic growth in synchronicity with my husband, Dr. John Lucas, as his professional life is also soaring as the Founding Dean of Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine.
This 24 x 20 framed original oil accompanied by poetry entitled “Beautiful Beliefs” is a celebration of where our life together has brought us. Just in time for the White Coat Ceremony 2026 that ushered in the inaugural class of the first medical school to open its doors in Chicago in nearly a century, I received word that my work was selected by distinguished arts professionals, Marilyn Propp and Jennifer Murray, for one of Chicagoland’s premier juried exhibitions, “Later Impressions” presented by The Chicago Alliance of Visual Artists. The exhibit will be in place at The Art Center Highland Park from August 7th to September 26th with a festive opening reception with the artists on Friday, August 14th, 2026 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm.
If you are local to the Chicago area, John and I look forward to seeing you at the opening! In the meantime and for those of you who cannot be with us in person, here is a little preview of my contribution to this meaningful moment where life and art embrace in the arms of a very special exhibit:
“Beautiful Beliefs”
Inspired by the Journey of my husband Dr. John Lucas,
Founding Dean of Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine
Painting and Poem by Rina Lucas
In order to build a life
Whose legacy lingers
It helps to have those
Who truly believe in us
To teach us to begin
To believe in ourselves,
It starts with our families
Our Parents and Grandparents
Aunts and Uncles
Brothers and Sisters
Cousins and Loved Ones of all sorts,
If we are fortunate
These people are praying over us
From our birth,
Speaking good things into our lives
Even as they may struggle
To secure dreams of their own
They see what we might be
And tell us so
“You can be anything”,
Sometimes the minstrels
In that chorus
At first
Are humble
And few
Sometimes they are one person
Who really believes in us
Sometimes that person IS us…
But as time rolls forward
And potential becomes reality
Goals become accomplishments
More voices join in
To the song of our lives
Mentors
Friends
Colleagues
Teammates
A Spouse or Partner
Our Found Tribe
Cheering us on
Holding up our hands
When we get tired
Checking in
Asking the hard questions
But always with the message
“You can do this”,
Someone chooses
To open the door for us
Because THEY can
And somewhere down deep
Inside the small, brave
Core of our being
Where loveliness lives
We commence believing
In our own purpose
Our unique calling
That even through
Doubts and disappointments
We always hoped was there,
And before long
We are seeing
Our work
Our lives
Our love
Through the beautiful lens
Of those who have
Believed in us
From the beginning
And all along the way,
We look around in awe
Accepting as truth
The miracle
Of their hopeful words to us
Realized,
And we commit anew
To faith in humanity
In ourselves
And in all those we love
Whose lives we have touched
And will touch,
Knowing our radiant trust
In what is true
And utterly inspiring
Can make it ever so,
And now
Our hand is on the door…
We swing it wide open
To let the light in.
Many thanks for sharing this preview of the exhibit with me! See you at The Art Center Highland Park!
1957 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
1-847-432-1888
theartcenterhp.org
Rina Lucas
Staff & Palette
Artist Bio
Soprano Rina Lucas is known for her powerful instrument, effortless range, and musical versatility. Comfortable in multiple genres, she has performed as a soloist with the Charleston Symphony, with the Lowcountry Voices, during the televised Spotlight Awards, in her own multimedia Piccolo Spoleto productions in SC alongside pianist and composer Arshak Sirunyan, and in her original virtual and live shows at The Moss Center and the Floyd Center for the Arts in VA. In addition to her accomplishments as a vocalist, Rina is also a gifted poet and visual artist working in oils. All of her paintings, rich and diverse in subject and style, are accompanied by poetry and signed in Hebrew as a nod to her roots. She has been featured in numerous juried exhibitions along the East Coast, here in Chicago, and beyond. Her interdisciplinary work has also been recognized by Artistonish Magazine, Classical Singer Music Magazine, Medici International Music Competition, Music International Grand Prix, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and TERAVARNA. With a Bachelor of Science from James Madison University and a Master of Physical Therapy from Gannon University, Rina’s path to performance has been nontraditional, having turned to the arts full time in 2012 after a career as a Physical Therapist. Since that time, she has developed her talents with several excellent mentors including: Professors of Voice – Sandra Barnhardt, Patricia Clevenger, Dr. Jill Terhaar Lewis, and Ariana Wyatt, Artists – Michael Farrar, Z.L. Feng, Jonathan Green, and Terry Lyon, as well as the former Poet Laureate of Charleston, SC, Marcus Amaker. She owns Staff & Palette, her studio for paint, poetry, and voice in the Greater Chicago area where she has recently relocated with her husband John and their beloved pups, Ariel and Eli.
