Excited about “art in our very own back yard,” the fledgling Crestwood Art Council will host its inaugural Fine Arts Fair Sunday at the Crestwood Recreation Center.
Village trustee Theresa Flynn said although the Art Council committee’s goal is to “share the talent within the town,” they reached out to all artists, “not specifically from Crestwood, but to anyone that would want to be part of it.”
Flynn said the Art Council’s vision is to create a classy event with “a very lively buzz” that will appeal to everyone.
More than 20 artists are scheduled to display their artwork. Oils, acrylics, watercolor and photography will be among the fine arts represented, while artisan crafts of jewelry, stained glass and pottery will be on display, as well, Flynn said.
It’s a win-win event for artists and guests alike, she said.
“Artists can showcase their talent and have a chance to sell and get their name out there,” Flynn said.
And guests can bring the family and make a day of it.
The free seven-hour event will include refreshments of cheese, mini desserts donated by The Pointe at Kilpatrick assisted living community, wine donated by Crestwood mayor Lou Presta and hot beverages.
Live music throughout the day will round out the ambience.
Local musicians scheduled to perform are Dave Molinari, a Mokena musician whose repertoire includes oldies, sing-a-longs and light rock on guitar and harmonica; the New Serendipity Singers, an all-female group of harmony singers who will accompany themselves on guitar, bass, banjo and mandolin; and Abbey Collins, a 14-year-old Crestwood teen who will sing and play acoustic guitar.
For the younger set, the art studio Art a la Carte, of Orland Park, will offer a $3 painting session that includes an 8 x 10 canvas, paint supplies and a smock in the Family Art Room of the recreation center.
Flynn said although the Art Council is “just in the baby steps of formation,” the art fair is not its first project. The all-volunteer group earlier this year began a beautification project on Cicero Avenue with flower planters, Flynn said, and plans to continue the project with new lighting and sidewalk improvements. Public park improvements include a new paint job for the “Honest John” missile at Walker Park and a community “Crestwood on Concrete” mural which was painted on the outside of the Standard Bank Stadium during the summer.
Another baseball-themed mural by Crestwood artist John Howard is underway with plans to complete it in 2017, Flynn said.
Crestwood artist and Art Council member Kay O’Brien said she hopes the Fine Arts Fair will “be a success and …bring in people from the community to see that the arts are encouraged here and that there’s a showcase for people to bring, display and, hopefully, sell their work. I would hope this would be an annual event.”
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Fine Arts Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 13
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Where: Crestwood Recreation Center, 5331 W. 135th St.
Information: Village of Crestwood at 708-371-4800
Etc.: Admission and refreshments are free. $3 charge for children’s Art a la Carte activity