MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (October 6, 2025) — The latest art exhibit in Monmouth College's Len G Everett Gallery is by a 2007 alumnus of the school — John Carroll of Polo, Illinois.
Collectively titled "Visions of Nature — An Eco Art Exhibit," all of Carroll's new sculptures — many of them cairns — are created from repurposed materials. Free and open to the public, the exhibit will be on display through October 24. Carroll will be on campus for a closing reception and artist talk that date, 3-4:30PM.
A cairn is a human-made pile or stack of stones — or, often in Carroll's case, wood — raised for a purpose, usually as a marker or as a burial mound.
"They are a way to mark a path or place in life — whether a physical marker to your favorite spot in the yard or as a reminder of someone cherished," he said.
"The construction of the cairns are hexagonal courses, which I consider to be the universal shape in life. I've added various dimensions to the cairns by creating some with movement and others with negative space."
Carroll is self-employed in construction but still tries to stay active in the art community, doing a few shows a year.
"Nature has been the leading inspiration of my art," he said.
