Witlock, Marikay Peter, Prairie Chapel, numbered print, c. 1988

A quiet and haunting image of the prairie inspired by the Thorn Creek Nature Center, Prairie Chapel is an original graphite drawing by artist Marikay Peter Witlock.

Through a generous donation by the artist, the Prairie Chapel print is available with a donation to Friends of Thorn Creek Woods of $75 or more, all of which will be used to benefit Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve.

Intrigued by the promise of a patch of prairie, Witlock visited Thorn Creek Nature Center in the late summer of 1988. She left that visit with a vision of prairie and chapel woven as one, and a profound sense of the sacred in the land. Prairie Chapel became the first in a series of over 35 drawings combining architectural elements with the grasses and forbs of Illinois.

A local professional artist and tireless volunteer for the arts, Marikay’s current artwork is available through The Illinois Artisans’ Shop, in Chicago, and Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

The Prairie Chapel print is a limited edition of 300 signed and numbered prints on acid free 80 lb. paper. Image size: 13” x 17”. Finished size: 18” x 21”. Friends of Thorn Creek Woods is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Donations to Friends, over the value of the Prairie Chapel print (valued at $75) are tax-deductible.

To view a framed print, visit the Nature Center Friday through Sunday between 12 noon and 4 p.m. Contact Friends at 708-747-6320 or thorn_creek@att.net.