Greetings fellow Oak Lawnians!
Have you noticed the gigantic colorfully decorated acorns scattered about town? They are part of Oak Lawn’s Acorns on Parade, a community art project, which went on display in early July.
Acorns on Parade is the brainchild of the Oak Lawn Arts Commission (“OLAC”), a non-profit organization that formed in December, 2014. Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury, who is an avid arts supporter, wanted to bring awareness to the newly formed Arts Commission, so she encouraged OLAC to think “Big, Bold and Large” to promote itself.
Linda Vorderer, chair for OLAC and an art teacher at Queen of Peace High School in Burbank, said the acorn program has “been in planning for more than a year. We brainstormed several ideas for the sculptures and we decided on acorns.”
The acorn sculpture exhibits are similar to those found in St. Joseph, Mich. Vorderer is very familiar with those sculptures which, she said, have been a big success.
“Art in the community makes an impression on people and gets people interested in the community,” Vorderer said. “The sculptures are an important part of growth and adds to the economic impact.
“Sculpture exhibits are gaining popularity. The first sculpture exhibits were lions and then the Cows on Parade were second.”
The lion sculptures were on display in Zurich, Switzerland in 1986 and the popular Cows on Parade, an international public art exhibit that also originated in Switzerland in 1998, featured life-sized cow exhibits. Over 79 cities worldwide, including Chicago which hosted “the cows” in 1999, have hosted Cows on Parades or various types of sculpture exhibits.
Tasso Papadopoulos, an Oak Lawn resident and artist, created the prototype sculpture that is being used for the acorn casting mold. Once the acorns are painted and decorated, a final step before being displayed, said Vorderer, is for them to be “sprayed with auto coat, like they use on cars, so they’re waterproof and weatherproof.” The oversized acorns measure 3.5 feet x 3.5 feet. x 4 feet, sit on a base and, even though they are hollow, it usually takes two people to move them
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Acorn sponsorship is $1,000, which includes an “acorn and the artist and painting materials. If a sponsor wants to have an artist paint its acorn or, if the sponsor has their own artist, that’s fine. If not, we connect them with an artist. We facilitate a conversation between the sponsor and the artist and the artist will consult with the sponsor on image development if they need it,” Vorderer said.
The program has been well received by the Oak Lawn community, including schools, local businesses and organizations, such as the Oak Lawn Children’s Museum, which has its acorn on display outside the museum.
“When the acorns went on display, more sponsors were interested, so we’re pleased with the results,” Vorderer said.
Acorns are still available for sponsorship. Vorderer suggests that anyone interested in sponsoring an acorn should contact Carmie O’Leary at Village Hall at 708-499-7742 or via e-mail at [email protected] as soon as possible.
“We’d like to have everyone on board by Sept. 15,” Vorderer said. Proceeds go to the Oak Lawn Arts Commission projects and events. The Commission also will host a Community Acorn Painting at this year’s Fall on the Green and the public is invited to help paint an acorn.
Here’s this week’s celebrity announcements: Happy birthday to Rocky Martin, who’s turning 19, from his parents, Neo, Roxanne and family. Kevin Weathersby’s mom wishes him a happy 24th birthday. Aggie Mark wishes her granddaughter, Jackie Ferrucci, and daughter, Susan Helen Fisher a happy birthday. Kelly Bubel’s family wishes her a happy birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Kim Dearth from her parents and family. Special birthday wishes go out to Dottie Arnold, from her children, grandson, family and Peanut. Happy birthday to Sara Rybicki. Birthday wishes go out to Steve Grams, from his parents, David and Gisel Grams, and Koni. Happy birthday to Tom McAuliffe, from his children, Kyle, Kody and Patrick. Jeannine McFee wishes her husband, Dave, a happy birthday. Happy birthday to Tom McKay, who’s turning 64, from Denise, Cody, Shannon, Chris, Cayden and Esther. Happy 68th birthday to Randy Devillez from his family. Steve Kamper’s family wish him a happy birthday.
Wedding anniversary wishes go out to the following couples: Kevin and Deborah Michicich on their ninth anniversary; John and Kathy Karakas on their 29th anniversary; Mike and Rita Hoy’s 32nd anniversary; and Bill and Margaret Petzel’s 49th.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff”going on with your family or within the community. Call me at (708) 899-9544.
Until next time…