Artists offer rare delights at Oakbrook Center show
Artist Arnavaz Barshan's lips say it's the simple things in life that make you happy.
Sharing a love of craft with someone. Combining strengths to succeed. Re-creating the beauty of nature.
Her artwork says visit the 48th annual Fine Craft Exhibition Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, at Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook.
This year's expo, “A Conservatory of Rare Delights,” features 90 juried artists.
Barshan's botanical-themed wall hangings, made from colored strips of paper, were used by Oakbrook Center to promote the event and are a featured item that will be displayed among vendors set up within the outdoor shopping center.
“Paper. It's an everyday item that is embellished into beautiful wall art by curving it and creating botanical-looking wall art,” said Suzanne Beres, senior marketing manager at Oakbrook Center. “I think that's really unique and different.”
Artists will show 3-D art such as jewelry and works made from metals and precious stones, different fibers, ceramics, wood and blown glass.
The beauty of nature is a popular theme each year, Beres said, and all artwork on display is for sale.
“Gardening and being outdoors seems to be very popular, and we have some artists who reflect that in their work,” she said.
“Many people come out to look at the different mediums, whether it be for their garden or for them to wear.”
Barshan, of Darien, learned quilling — the art of shaping and gluing strips of paper into designs — from her mother, Shirin Mundagar, who is currently visiting from India.
A carpet designer by trade, Barshan represents the design aspect of their works, which include jewelry and botanical-themed greeting cards and wall hangings featuring hydrangea, roses and spider plants. Mundagar represents the technique.
“It's a combination of me and her,” Barshan said. “With paper, things can go wrong, you have to have a steady hand. ”
While some people have perfected their craft their entire lives, the ladies say their skill at quilling just recently bloomed.
Mundagar took up the craft about six year ago in her home in India while caring for her ailing husband, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. It became her outlet.
“It's quite depressing for the person who is taking care of them,” Barshan said. “It's a good thing to start her life again and start something work-wise. It's not just getting money out of it, but at the same time it's people really appreciating art and appreciating what you're doing.”
Participating in the show is an honor for both, she said.
Artists were invited to present at the expo or applied and were accepted. It's a juried show and artists may win an award in one of 10 different categories.
Admission is free to the expo, open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 9, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 10.
For information, call (630) 573-0700 or visit oakbrookcenter.com.
If you go
If you go
What: Fine Craft Exhibition
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 9, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 10
Where: Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
Cost: Free
Info: (630) 573-0700 or oakbrookcenter.com