Forest View officials dedicated a wall in Village Hall on April 24 to honor Lois L. Hrejsa, a longtime resident and accomplished artist who died in 2025.
The dedication recognizes Hrejsa’s seven decades in the village — from 1955 until her death — and her contributions to the local arts community through teaching, public art projects, and mentorship.
“We honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Lois for her extraordinary contributions to her family, her community, and the arts,” Village President David Liska said in a proclamation issued that day.
Hrejsa earned her bachelor’s degree from the American Academy of Art and later taught fundamentals there. She instructed students at The Center, the LaGrange Art League, Morton College, and the University of Illinois at Allerton, according to the proclamation.
Her artistic reach extended beyond the classroom. Hrejsa co-owned “Images, a Gallery” in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and founded and directed the LaGrange Art League School. She worked in pen and ink, watercolor, and oil — with house portraits among her most celebrated pieces.
Her work appeared in Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” public art project, where she contributed a piece titled “Planet Chicago,” and in “Suite Home Chicago” and other sculptural installations.
Hrejsa also served the Forest View community in other ways. She taught craft classes for the Forest View Park District and was a Cub Scout Den Mother in the 1960s.
Her family donated several of her original works to the village, which will be displayed on the dedicated wall. The gift ensures her artistic legacy will continue to inspire visitors to Village Hall for years to come, officials said.
Hrejsa was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, who served honorably in the Korean War from 1952 to 1953. She is survived by three children — Jim (Village of Stickney Trustee),Lori, and David, and a proud and devoted grandmother to five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.