New Galleries Showcasing Photography, Paintings Open In Aurora

AURORA, IL — Art is flourishing in downtown Aurora.

To mark the start of September, two new galleries are opening Friday, and they're located just three blocks apart, officials said.

The Nolan Gallery, a Black-owned business, will feature fine art photography by its founder, owner and namesake, Nolan McCants. The artist will display photographs from Chicago to Cuba and throughout Africa, according to a news release. The gallery is located at 33 S. Stolp Ave.

Nieponski Gallery, the new woman- and Black-owned business at 59 S. LaSalle St., will feature more than two dozen original paintings by owner Elias Akwo Chaz Nieponski. The owner is doubling as the gallery's resident artist, Chief Communications Officer Clayton Muhammad said.

To celebrate, the city hosted two ribbon-cutting ceremonies; the Nieponski Gallery's began at 4:30 p.m., followed by The Nolan Gallery's at 5:30 p.m.

Both galleries will also be available for rent as event space, Muhammad said.