The first signs of winter this weekend included a winter-themed art market showcasing work by homegrown, seasoned artists in a celebration of local talent.
The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Artisan Guild hosted their Winter Fair Holiday Boutique on November 7 and 8 at CROYA, the Lake Forest Recreation Center, both days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Robin Mueller, president of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Artisan Guild, said they’ve hosted a version of their Winter market event for the past 19 years.
“Our purpose from the beginning has been to give artists a way to bring their creative work out of the basement, into the light of day, and out into the world,” Mueller said.
This year’s winter holiday boutique featured local artisans demonstrating a broad range of talents – from painting, to photography, millinery, jewelry, fiber arts, woodworking, quilting, mixed media, fiber arts and more.
According to Mueller, the Guild is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2005 by a group of friends who were also artists, each focused on creative craftsmanship and working with their hands.
“Twenty years later, our mandate to promote an appreciation for hand-worked art is strong, and we encourage creativity and the exchange of new ideas, while developing camaraderie among artisans living in the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and surrounding areas,” Mueller said.
Artists, like Sandie Bacon, from Waukegan, participated in Saturday’s holiday boutique.
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“While art-making is often a solitary practice, local shows like this one allow us an opportunity to connect with other artists, to build a local community,” Bacon said.
Bacon, who, in addition to being a member of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Artisan Guild, is also President of Arts on the Bluff in Lake Bluff.
Mueller says our hyperlocal art shows throughout the year allow artists to capitalize on the unique community location, while fostering community pride.
At the LF-LB Artisan Guild shows you will not find products by mass-produced vendors.
Instead, area artists are provided with a place to share their art, and in return, artists donate a 10% portion of the proceeds from each sale to an area charity selected by the organization.
“This year, CROYA (Committee Representing our Young Adults), is the beneficiary and also the location of the Winter Fair Holiday Boutique,” Mueller said.
Youth from CROYA who volunteered during the event were able to earn community volunteer hours to submit on their college applications.
The winter market also featured sweet treats for purchase, provided by Claude Bouteille of Taste of Paris in Mundelein.
Jody Simmons from Buffalo Grove attended on Saturday.
“I like the fact that this is truly a fine arts show, with the highest quality artists and artisans, handcrafting each of the items they sell,” Simmons said.
Nancy Mieling, vice president and show coordinator, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Artisan Guild, says many artists use the Guild as a stepping stone to sharing their work with the public, or as a launching pad for starting a small business.
“One thing is for sure, the creations you find here at the Winter Fair Holiday Boutique, you will not find anywhere else,” Mieling said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.