Elgin's Art and Soul on the Fox boasts variety, diversity

Lauri Novak will display her worldview through travel photography at Elgin's Art and Soul on the Fox this weekend, a fine art fair that also features local musical talent and kids' activities.

"Traveling gave me an appreciation for the world around me and I started seeing in different ways, different perspectives and appreciating what I saw," said Novak, an artist since she was 10.

"I see the world in photographs and love that my photography helps others to see the world around them in a new and different way."

Her purist, minimally edited shots of architecture, landscapes, and animals will be shown in booth 9S at the seventh annual event. The juried art show is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, along Grove Avenue and Spring Street in downtown Elgin.

This year, the Elgin Artspace Lofts gallery and the retail space at the corner of Spring and Fulton streets have been included as sites for additional fine artwork.

Along with Novak's photos which range from Salzburg to Sedona, the Elgin resident said Elgin Art and Soul can be seen as its own travel experience with the myriad new artists and spectators who visit.

"Sharing my passion with the public and meeting people who have a shared love of the arts made for two full days of enjoyable conversations, more ideas, and inspiration for myself and also for some of those who visited my booth," Novak said. "Yes, we're there to sell, but it's the connections and reactions that I find most important."

Karen Castillo is the president of Art for All, a not-for-profit organization that encourages artistic expression in Elgin. The group works in conjunction with the city of Elgin to organize the event.

Castillo will be returning to the event for her fourth year. She said she has always considered herself an artistic person, but never imagined pursuing a career in the arts.

She photographs on a more local level than Novak and heavily edits her photos to recreate a final product with an aged appearance.

"I transform my original photographs into art by using various computer applications with resulting works that often closely resemble paintings," Castillo said. "Many of my works are points of interest taken in Elgin."

Another Elgin resident and member of Art for All, Linda Williams, will return to the event bringing her pastel specialties. She uses an impasto technique which entails manipulating layers of oil paint with her hands to blend colors.

"I am inspired by the quiet beauty in nature and tend to focus on landscapes and florals," Williams said.

She said her favorite part of the art fair is the wide variety of artists and artwork. And she hopes it will encourage new artists to contribute to the diversity.

In addition to visual art, performing arts will be showcased on stage, with a variety of entertainers all day Saturday and Sunday. Storytelling, belly dancing, folk music, guitar and classical music will all take a turn on the stage, located on DuPage Court. To keep younger visitors entertained, a children's stage and activities area will be at the corner of Grove and Spring streets. An information booth will be at the corner of DuPage and Spring streets.

For details, a list of artists and performers, visit www.elginartandsoul.com.

If you go

What: Art and Soul on the Fox

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Where: Downtown Elgin, DuPage Court, Spring Street and South Grove Avenue

Admission: Free

Details: <a href="http://www.elginartandsoul.com/">www.elginartandsoul.com</a>