Just as a one-of-a-kind painting can appreciate in value, the passage of time has increased the popularity of the Geneva Arts Fair, a two-day event showcasing fine artisans from around the country, organizers said.
Art collectors and newcomers filled South Third Street in Geneva on Saturday and Sunday to get a look at work in a variety of mediums including oil paintings, pottery, photography and more at the fair.
Painter Jim Zhang brings a “global perspective” to his art pieces. He has studied and lived in China, Japan, Germany and the United States. His work covers a range of styles from impressionistic to contemporary.
“My work is a blend of East and West,” he said while participating in the fair over the weekend.
Zhang began painting in his youth in China. His paintings at the fair included landscapes and wildlife scenes.
“I am most happy when I am painting. If I am having a bad day, I paint,” he said.
North Aurora resident Dawn Sohr is enamored by the art of pottery-maker Hironobu Nishitateno, who took part in the Geneva Arts Fair.
Sohr has several of his pieces, including serving bowls, mugs and bud vases, she said.
“I admire the textures, patterns, glaze and the thoughtfulness of his useable pieces,” Sohr said.
Nishitateno was born in Japan and studied economics in Tokyo before following his passion for art. His love for making pottery “springs from a desire to bring beauty and nature into daily life.”
The artist travels with a notebook in hand and sketches designs and shapes that are incorporated into new works, he said. His style is “based on the simplicity and functionality of Japanese pottery, using natural materials and colors typical in nature.”
More Top Picks Hp Color Laserjet Pro Mfp M283fdw
“I am always sketching,” Nishitateno said.
Liz and Mario Cairo purchased two paintings and a sculpture at the Geneva Arts Fair over the weekend.
“This year, it seems like a lot of art pieces just caught our eye,” Mario Cairo said.
The West Chicago couple are regulars at the juried art fair.
“We like to get original art pieces and support local artists,” Liz Cairo said.
Fine art photographer Igor Menaker has been an exhibitor at the annual event in Geneva for the past five years. His black-and-white photographs of Chicago architecture look as though they were made with pen and ink.
“I use a special technique called Gigapixel photography. None of my images are a single shot. They are hundreds of images that are stitched together,” Menaker said. “That’s why there’s so much detail.”
A photograph of the historic Chicago Board of Trade building at 141 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago caught the eye of Mark Bedore of Naperville at the fest.
“I worked at the Chicago Board of Trade for about 35 years. Many of these sites are relics now – not really a place of work anymore,” Bedore said.
Stacia Ellermeier, of Geneva, purchased three of Menaker’s prints including one of the Chicago Theater marquee.
“I am drawn to black-and-white photography and I appreciate Chicago’s architecture,” Ellermeier said.
Painter Judy Steffens, who creates beach and ocean-front scenes, also took part in the Geneva Arts Fair.
“The waves and sand – the summer vibe. We lived in Florida for a while and being in that close proximity every day to people on the beach inspired me. Even though we live in Illinois now, I continue to be inspired by the time we were there,” Steffens said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.