Please join us at our opening reception for "HOPE Dies Last"! 

"HOPE Dies Last" is Toni Maugeri's series of assemblage urban artifacts inspired by people, society and the environment. The artworks are made with words and symbols interwoven with ritual. Each work begins as a tale of empowerment and transformation. As Toni creates her art the materials delicately twist together layer by layer. She gently encourages us to engage in this series of calls and responses. Her hope for us is a journey of personal crossings that unfold slowly and naturally, in all their glorious grit, for better or worse. So please, wander in, explore and find another part of your tale.

Born and raised in Chicago Toni developed an appreciation for the beauty of urban grit. Her assemblage urban artifacts are made by combining things that have been discarded or not considered beautiful in a conventional way with wood, organics, naturals, metal, fiber, found and charged objects, concrete, encaustic, charring, repurposed and reclaimed materials, paper, spray paint, ink and stain. The materials are assembled with glue and cold connections. Her colors evolve from the materials and she often uses them symbolically.

"HOPE Dies Last" is Toni's first one woman show in Chicago. Tony Maugeri and The Dime cordially extend an invitation to the "HOPE Dies Last" opening reception.