You never know what you might find at the St. Charles Fine Art Show.
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“We always have something new. We have some artists that return year after year, very popular artists with our patrons,” said Lynne Schwartz, executive director of Downtown St. Charles Partnership. “And we always have new artists as well.”
The 17th Annual St. Charles Fine Art Show will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday on Riverside Avenue between Route 64/Main Street and Illinois Avenue in downtown St. Charles.
“Artists had to be juried and selected to participate in the show, so it is a high quality art show,” Schwartz said. “And then there are also artists awards that are awarded Saturday afternoon. There’s a small committee that selects awards.”
Approximately 100 artists will be displaying and selling their works, representing various media including sculpture, painting, photography, glass, jewelry and more.
“There’s a large variety and appeal to a wide audience with different tastes and also different styles, different mediums,” Schwartz said. “I think there’s something for everybody, things at different price points as well.”
Held rain or shine, the event will also offer a feature tent by All Things Art Studio. The teaching art studio will offer a number of demonstrations and hands-on activities to those attending the show.
Patrons can pay a fee to learn how to paint step by step from 12-1 p.m. Saturday and 1-2 p.m. Sunday.
“And then they’ll have a hands-on collaborative piece,” Schwartz said. “People will paint a small canvas and it will be put together in a collaborative mosaic piece that they will have on display in their studio.”
Live musical entertainment will also be provided throughout the show, and free 45-minute trolley rides throughout downtown St. Charles will also be available.
“There’s a docent on board and they talk about some of the historic and architectural buildings downtown,” Schwartz said.
Approximately 10,000 people visit the show each year, she said.
“We draw both local people, people from the Tri-Cities, as well as people from Chicago and other suburbs outside of the Tri-Cities,” Schwartz said.
Individuals and businesses can participate in the Patron Program, which helps support the show and artists.
“If people pledge to purchase at least $200 during the course of the show — and it can be among various artists — they are part of the Patron Program. There’s a patron tent where they can go and visit during the show and sit down. And they can also provide a ribbon to the artist where they made the purchase,” Schwartz said. “It’s a great program because the artists know that there are serious art buyers – people that are coming to buy and to purchase — which also helps us have a wonderful quality show.
In addition to the art show, visitors can view works of art both inside and outside downtown businesses. Through the Art Around the Corner partnership, artists are paired with local businesses that display their works. Live music will also be performed at the First Street Plaza, on the west side of the river, throughout the weekend.
“There’s a great opportunity for people to explore,” Schwartz said. “We have a very walkable downtown and a lot to see and do, and we encourage people to check out all of that while they’re here.”
Cichon is a freelance writer.
St. Charles Fine Art Show
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Riverside Avenue between Route 64/Main Street and Illinois Avenue, St. Charles
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Tickets: Free
Information: 630-443-3967 or http://www.downtownstcharles.org/events/saint-charles-fine-art-show/