When green turns to maple apricot and oak gold, it`s a sure sign it`s time for the annual Arts and Riverwoods walk. More than 2,500 pairs of shoes scrunched the winding, narrow leaf-covered roads last weekend in the woodsy northern suburb`s annual pairing of house walk and art show. Biking, hiking or taking the chartered shuttles to five houses chosen for the walk each year has become a tradition.
”I don`t feel like fall is here unless I go to the Riverwoods Art Show,” said Deerfield resident Ginny Gessler, who has been doing the Riverwoods walk since 1961.
Started by residents in 1960 as a way to raise funds to pay for a zoning battle against a developer, which, by the way, the residents won, the show celebrated its 33rd year with a highly select mix of old favorites and first- time participants.
”We choose 25 artists, but about 300 artists apply,” said event chairman Jerry Saperstein.
”This is one of my favorite shows,” said popular bits and pieces sculptor Robert Cumpston of Colfax, Ill. And no wonder. His deer, dogs and a menagerie of real and imaginary creatures, made from rusty farm implements, seemingly grazed contentedly on the grassy lawn outside the home of Deeon and H.L. Singer. The real thing: a family of five deer, watched the walkers anxiously from a nearby grove.
The woods and wildflowers were a big plus to Deerfield photographer Joseph Kayne, a first-time exhibitor. ”I like this. The photographs match the nature here,” said Kayne, whose exhibit at the rear of the spectacular home of Antje and Jerry Kalov overlooked a forest.
This annual pairing of open house and art is also good for Riverwoods.
”It helped pay off the debt on our village hall. And it helped pay for the bike trails,” Saperstein said.
About half the $16,000 raised annually funds art projects at local elementary and high schools. But money is not the top raison d`etre, according to H.L. Singer. ”Sure we make a little money. But mostly we want people to enjoy our community,” Singer said.
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