Each month City Hall offers features of different artists and various art pieces on the walls of the building.

City Hall is not just a building with offices; it provides the town with various works of art.

Yvonne Larson, city art curator, discovers talented artists in the Coles County area to feature for a month or two in City Hall.

The featured artist this month is Charleston native Jon Schubert.

Larson said Schubert never showcased his art before it went up in City Hall.

When she saw a drawing, Larson said she knew his work had to be made public.

Larson said many people have commented on Schubert’s artwork because of his artistic capabilities.

Schubert has several works showcased in City Hall. Most are drawings that include Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, his parents and his grandmother.

“The one of his grandmother is my favorite because you can see the love he has for her, and she really comes to life on the page,” Larson said.

Since the age of four, Schubert has sketched and created drawings that are still a part of his main art form.

“I started with pencil, and that is still my weapon of choice,” Schubert said.

Schubert said he created his favorite piece at the age of 12, which was of “The Beast” from the Walt Disney film “Beauty and the Beast.”

“I think what I really appreciate about the piece is the identifiable raw emotion that comes through,” Schubert said.

Schubert is currently constructing a Web site to display an online portfolio of his work. He said he has recently become very interested in providing art to people and doing more with art.

Schubert has done many portraits, as well as mural-type projects. He said his work has been very well received by the recipients and has given him a sense of fulfillment.

City art has also featured locals Dave Hunter and Curt Starkey.

Each artist is unique and has a different approach to creating their art.

Starkey’s artwork involves cats and plant life. He said in his city art profile his body of work reflects his joys and beliefs about life.

“I am constantly attempting to capture the energy of the life around me,” Starkey said.

Also, Starkey’s father, Milburn Smith, was the founder of city art and the city art council in 1984.

Hunter said he uses a lot of color and humor in his works. He said city hall displayed one piece he created of a crocodile lying with his belly in the air.

For additional information about this month’s artist or his work, contact Jon Schubert at 493-7559 or [email protected].

Abby Allgire can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].