Wheaton Blog

“Actually, I’m a writer,” said Sami Milloshi, the self-taught artist and Wheaton staff member whose works of art are on display until December 12 in Wallace Library.

A native of Albania, Milloshi has worked part-time at the college for almost 10 years. He has authored eight books, primarily in Albanian, as well as two books of poems and The Wall Clock: And Other Short Stories, in English.

A year after joining the Wheaton staff, Milloshi felt that he needed to find something to do when he retired. He decided to try painting, then bought his supplies and went to work. “I started with oil, but it was hard for me, so I changed to acrylic,” he explained. “But I treat acrylic like oil.”

A majority of the work on display are nature scenes, with glimpses of his Albanian roots sprinkled in, including his childhood home and native dancers.

Milloshi has studied art books that he borrowed from the library and has asked a few Albanian painters some questions, but most of his talent he acquired by simply doing it.

The exhibition in the library marks his second at Wheaton. In 2018, after hearing about his artistic accomplishments, formerPresident Dennis Hanno encouraged Milloshi to display his work on campus. “I even sold some of my paintings,” he said. “And after that, I became sort of the painter of Wheaton College.”

When Milloshi’s new exhibition opened on November 10, President Michaele Whelan was among the attendees. And the show is off to a fast start, as several of his paintings have already been sold.

“I like this place,” Milloshi said about Wheaton. “It’s good for me.”

Photo by Bujar Veselaj

Categories:
• Art