Naperville Art League's silent auction has '70s theme
The auction may be silent, but the Naperville Art League's '70s-themed fundraiser - with a soundtrack likely to feature the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac and the Ramones - will be anything but quiet.
"If people want to wear their bell bottoms, they're more than welcome," said Debbie Venezia, the league's executive director.
Original art donated by league members, friends of the league and artists who regularly display their works at the league's late-summer Riverwalk Fine Art Fair will be featured in the silent auction Friday, April 22. Auction offerings will include paintings, wall art, ceramics, metal works and fiber art, said Linda VanderKolk, Naperville Art League president.
VanderKolk is one of several art league members donating pieces to the auction. An artist who specializes in art quilts, she is a member of the Fiber Art Divas, a group of like-minded artists who meet monthly.
"I started out with art quilts," VanderKolk said, "but now we have people who are doing felted art and figurines. We like to try new things."
The Divas collectively are donating 8-inch-square pieces that VanderKolk describes as "all different kinds of art."
Venezia said the artistic squares are perfectly suited for small spaces that need the addition of a bit of visual interest.
Money raised at the auction will help fund improvements at the art league's building, 508 N. Center St., just northeast of Naperville's downtown, Venezia said.
"We're raising funds to complete renovations in our classroom. The money is targeted for our storage closet," Venezia said.
"We've been in the process of renovating that, step by step," VanderKolk said.
Venezia said the first half of the renovation project, already completed, was funded by a $5,000 grant from the city of Naperville. The Special Events and Cultural Amenities grant money comes from a portion of the city's food and beverage tax, which is distributed to organizations pursuing projects that provide cultural experiences and foster a sense of community, she said.
"We're fortunate in that Naperville embraces the arts," Venezia said.
Venezia said the Naperville Art League, founded in 1961, has been at its current location since 1976.
The league offers its more than 200 members and the community valuable resources, VanderKolk said, including, "the sharing of ideas, the opportunity to take classes; we have social gatherings every month. There's an opportunity to show your work in the gallery."
Venezia said the silent auction fundraiser will include raffles and refreshments. Suggested donations at the door are $10 for the public and $5 for students with a student ID, she said.
"The entry donation gives you a bidding card," she said.
VanderKolk said art enthusiasts are invited to visit the league gallery from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday for a peek at auction items.
"Some of it will be on Facebook," she said.
The auction opens at 6:30 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m. Friday. Venezia said a collection of "buy it now" items will be available in addition to the auction items.
If you go
What: Fine Art Silent Auction Fundraiser to benefit the Naperville Art League
Where: 508 N. Center St., Naperville
When: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 22
Admission: Donation of $10, $5 for student with ID, entitles guests to bid
Info: (630) 355-2530 or napervilleartleague.com