Throughout the history of civilization, artists have questioned the common assumptions held within society. Mary Shelley used fiction as a way to explore the issues surrounding the rise of science in the early part of the 1800s. Her work is now approaching its second century, and we are still discussing the issues that it raises. In what other ways have artists questioned the world around them? Do artists have a responsibility to point out society's misconceptions?

Stickney-Forest View Panel Members
Moderator: Justin Synnestvedt
Mr. Synnestvedt holds a master’s degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and is presently studying linguistics at the University of Chicago. He is a professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Moraine Valley. Throughout his 38 years of teaching, Mr. Synnestvedt has held a long interest in inter-cultural studies, especially in conflict between the modern (scientific) and traditional (religious) worldviews.

Andrew Zbeeb
Mr. Zbeeb holds a master’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master’s degree in philosophy and theology from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He is an instructor of Philosophy and Humanities at Moraine Valley. Mr. Zbeeb is a consultant to WGN TV’s God Squad.

Michael Nedza
Mr. Nedza holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in theater from Northern Illinois University. He is the technical director at Moraine Valley's Fine and Performing Arts Center, where he also teaches theater. Mr. Nedza's final design thesis researched, designed, and executed the scenic design of Anton Chechov's play Uncle Vanya.

Ricky Cobb
Mr. Cobb holds a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Louisville. He is an instructor of sociology at Moraine Valley His graduate thesis, Industry of Cool: A Sociological Analysis of Pop Music, focused on pop music as a sociopolitical commentary of society.

Green Hills Panel Members
Moderator: Krista Appelquist
Ms Appelquist holds a master’s degree in communication studies from Northern Illinois University. She is an instructor of Speech and director of Forensics at Moraine Valley.

Erik La Gatutta
Mr. La Gatutta holds a master’s degree in fine arts from the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied painting. He is an instructor of Fine Art at Moraine Valley, who teaches drawing, life drawing, and painting. Mr. La Gatutta is an exhibited painter whose work explores the relationship between people, technology and the environment.

Tyler Hewitt
Mr. Hewitt holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan.He is an instructor of Studio Art-Photography and Design at Moraine Valley. Mr. Hewitt is a nationally exhibited photographer whose research and work focuses on the organizational and conceptual structure of collage-theory.

Fran Smolucha
Dr. Smolucha holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Chicago. She is an internationally known researcher on the development of artistic creativity and has authored several publications in this area. Dr. Smolucha is a professor of Psychology at Moraine Valley.

Vittorio Carli
Mr. Carli holds a master’s degree in English from Illinois State Univesity. He is a faculty member at Moraine Valley Community College where he teaches composition, literature, and film. Mr. Carli’s film and art reviews regularly appear in The Star Newspapers and in other publications such as Chicago Artist’s News, Tunnel Rat and The Daily Herald.