The Niles Public Art Commission, in conjunction with the Niles District Library, will be offering the second in a series of Fine Art Presentations this week.

This free, public event will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, in the rotunda of the Niles District Library, which is located at 620 E. Main St. in Niles.

Tami Miller, curator of the Krasl Art Center, will present a view of the life, art and successes of Richard Hunt.

A student of the Chicago Institute of Art, Hunt’s art is influenced by progressive 20th Century artists. In 1971, when Hunt was 36, the Museum of Modern Art in New York purchased one of his sculptures. That piece remains in the MOMA permanent collection. Hunt is internationally recognized with work in many public collections, which include Paris and Israel.

In 1974, Niles received a major work of Hunt’s titled, “Hybrid Form II.

The Haas Family Foundation donated this work to Niles as a way of saying “thank you” for the success that their grandparents found when they immigrated to America. The grandchildren credited Niles for their success.

Among his accomplishments as a preeminent sculptor, Hunt was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as one of the first artists to serve on the governing board of the National Endowment for the Arts. He was also on the panel that selected the Viet Nam War Memorial.

The public is also invited to a reception following Miller’s presentation for conversation. Beverages, finger foods and dessert will be provided for attendees by the Niles Public Art Commission.

All are invited to this free event, as it is certain to appeal to art aficionados.

For more information, please contact Jeanne Watson, Niles Public Arts Commission Chair at (269) 687-6074 or by email at jeanne0503@comcast.net