Jennifer Evans teaches high school photography, creates art with colored pencil, ink, pastels and water colors, and also offers adult classes in water color and other art media.
Simply put, art in most any medium is Evans’ passion, and she along with other members of the Grayslake Arts Alliance, will be showing off their passion at the collaborative event Pouring Over Pages, held on March 17 for those ages 21 and older at the Grayslake Area Public Library.
“It’s the first time the Arts Alliance and Grayslake Library Foundation are joining to sponsor a fundraising event to help the library and provide a space for local artists to show their work,” said Evans, who lives in Lake Villa and owns Periwinkle Art Studio.
The $50 ticket price includes a commemorative glass, a free glass of wine and a tour of various media created by Grayslake Arts Alliance members.
“It will be like a gallery walk with wine. I’m really excited about it,” Evans said.
While listening to background music and sipping wine, guests can view a variety of art for sale.
“We will have oil paintings, colored pencil drawing, photographs, work in pastels and acrylic and jewelry,” Evans said.
Some examples include “In Bloom,” an acrylic work by Kristen Neveu, “Lavender Farm,” a pastels piece by Roni Malic and “Very Fine,” a colored pencil work by Phil Schorn.
Evans who mostly creates floral and abstracts, will show, “Pink Rose Bouquet,” set in a wooden frame. She created the floral art work with acrylic ink, colored pencil, pastel and some stenciled grain paint on heavyweight watercolor paper.
“I grew up with a grandmother who was a gardener,” Evans said. “I spent a lot of time with her. I love color and I love everything about blooms.”
Evans and other Alliance members will tell stories such as those at the event. Also, a table will be set up to display books Arts Alliance members have written. A writers group that is part of the Alliance, meets monthly at the library.
Photographer Ernest J. Schweit will show some of his photography work, as well as sell his books. He worked with Nancy Schumm-Burgess to create “Wisconsin Barns,” a book featuring information and photos of old barns in the dairy state.
Evans said the event is part of what the Grayslake Arts Alliance is all about, sharing ideas and creations with other artists.
“A while ago, I rented a studio space in Millburn to pursue my art. But I began to realize it was a solo operation with me in the studio working by myself. I was looking for an audience of peers, people I could work in collaboration with or at least have a way to show my art and have feedback on my art,” Evans said. She met Alliance members. “They were so welcoming and open to different artists of all media.”
The collaboration is a new venture for the Arts Alliance, which has sponsored member exhibitions along with seminars and tutorials.
“Our new president, Zee Lacson is very connected with different entities within the village,” Evans said. “She really is bringing a lot of new energy to that role.”
Evans said she expects the event to bring together “people who are interested in supporting their local library and our local artists, who are passionate about sharing their art with the community.”
Pouring Over Pages
When: 6-9 p.m. March 18
Where: Grayslake Area Library, 100 Library Lane
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Tickets: $50
Information: 847-223-5313, grayslakeartsalliance.org
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.