An informal gallery talk about local artist, Paul T. Sargent, a former Eastern teacher, will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tarble Arts Center.

Michael Watts, director of the Tarble Arts Center, will speak about Sargent’s work. Watts will discuss the evolution of Sargent’s style and the different paintings depicting local scenes around the Coles County area.

Swapping stories, sharing information, and talking informally about Sargent’s works will be the highlights of this event.

Terry Barnhart, professor of history, said he was personally interested in Sargent’s papers.

Barnhart said Tarble had made considerable effort to collect Sargent’s works. A representative sampling of Sargent’s various art works and papers are available in Eastern’s archives, located in the Booth Library.

Copies of Sargent’s 1933 autobiography will be available, and Watts has gathered various information about Sargent from the archives.

Sargent was born and raised in the Coles County area and attended Eastern. He went on to study at the Art Institute of Chicago, and came back to live in Coles County.

Sargent also taught summer art classes through the extension period at Eastern.

“He influenced a handful of people that went on to success in the visual arts,” Watts said.

Many of his art work depicts local scenes, and Watts said Sargent had a strong connection to the local area and Eastern.

Watts said he expects many people who knew Sargent, Sargent’s family members and friends and people who are familiar with his works to attend the event.

The admission is free, and the event will close with an informal reception.