Elgin arts festival looks to be bigger than before
Art and soul return for another summer weekend in Elgin with one of the premier art festivals around.
The third annual Art and Soul on the Fox festival returns this Saturday and Sunday to the Elgin riverfront.
More than 95 artists and 85 booths will fill the grounds on DuPage Court and South Grove Avenue in downtown Elgin. Last year’s attendance reached about 8,000 people.
“It’s really well attended and a lot of fun,” said festival coordinator Sigi Psimenos.
She said it is in its third year without the aid of the now-extinct FoxFireFest. FoxFireFest was canceled after the city of Elgin cut off the festival’s budget. Psimenos knew downtown needed another festival, even on a smaller scale.
“People in Elgin are used to going to festivals during the summer,” Psimenos said. “We didn’t want to see the city go without one.”
“It brings art to the area and tries to find affordable art for everyone’s needs,” said Sandy Kaptain, chairwoman of the festival’s artists.
Prices for art at the festival range from $5 to several thousand; Kaptain said there is something for everyone, including but not limited to watercolor, oil and pastel paintings.
Just like in years past, all the art has been selected by a jury and may be rewarded. The event will hand out $1,000 in cash awards; the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, an organizer of the event, will award an additional $2,000 in purchase awards.
Another highlight of the festival will be the Thrones of Summer public auction. People will get a chance to bid on the decorated thrones that were all throughout Elgin this summer. Gail Borden Library is currently receiving votes on which are the best of the thrones on its website. The top ten favorites will be auctioned off live on July 31; the remaining thrones will be part of a silent auction that begins July 30.
Food and drink vendors, musical entertainment and kids activities will all be available. Kaptain said this year’s festivities look to be better than before.
“I just hope we don’t have the 98-degree-plus weather we had recently,” Kaptain said.
Art and Soul on the Fox is free to the public. For details, visit artforall-elgin.com.
If you go
What: Art and Soul on the Fox
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 30; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 31
Where: downtown Elgin, DuPage Court and South Grove Avenue
Admission: Free
Details: artforall-elgin.com