Lori Heitman has been enjoying looking through the artist applications for Saturday’s Art in the Park and Music Festival in Lake Villa.
“It’s amazing to see how many local talented people we have,” said Heitman, co-chairwoman of the event. Heitman, an artist, also works in the finance department for the village of Lake Villa.
The fourth annual event, held at Lehmann Park next to picturesque Cedar Lake, features return, as well as new artists.
“Someone new this year has done some beautifully hand-made purses, tote bags, stuffed animals and aprons,” she said.
Another new artist this year does floral watercolors. “They’re gorgeous,” said Heitman, who works with a committee to review the applications. “We make sure it’s quality work.”
Up to 1,000 people come to the event each year depending on the weather to browse among handmade jewelry, painted furniture, watercolor and oil paintings, photography, sculptures and woodwork created by local artists, she said.
Co-chairwoman Marsha Cairo, who will show her photography and acrylics at the event said she helped start it with the former owner of Julie’s Coffee in Lake Villa four years ago.
“We wanted an event the community could rally around to support the arts,” Cairo said. “There are so many local people who are really good artists who don’t have a chance to get their work out to be seen.
Cairo said her work features photographs of pets and babies.
“I like to capture their emotions,” she said. “Dogs smile. They’re happy and sad. Sometimes when a person is looking at his pet, there’s this eye contact and there’s such a strong emotion in that. I love to capture that.”
Her acrylic paintings include whimsical abstract flowers, she said.
Volunteer musicians add to the atmosphere by playing folk, bluegrass and jazz music.
“We’ll put the musicians on a raised stage under a big tent by the lake this year,” Cairo said. Among the performers will be violinists, mandolin players and singers.
A local Italian restaurant owner will sell pizza by the slice during the event, Cairo added.
The village is considering changing the date to early fall next year, she said. “I would also love to combine it with a wine tasting.”
“We want to have an art festival happen every year that people will remember and talk about,” Cairo said.
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Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Art in the Park Art and Music Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; rain date is Sunday
Where: Lehmann Park, 89 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-356-6100 or go to www.lake-villa.org