Naperville fair to bring 130 artists to Riverwalk

Regulars at the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair know they can count on revisiting the work of favorite artists at the annual show while also being treated to a novel twist or two courtesy of newcomers.

“You're going to see a lot of familiar faces. You'll see some of your old favorites along with new artists,” said Debbie Venezia, executive director of the Naperville Art League.

The free event comes Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18, to the Naperville Riverwalk and Jackson Avenue, between Main and Eagle streets.

The juried show attracts a variety of artists, including several who travel from across the country and even a few from abroad, Venezia said.

Getting a tented booth at the show is a competitive venture. Venezia said that this year, the art league received more than 500 applications. A jury selected about 130 artists from that pool.

“The artists' network is a very strong one. Word gets around,” she said. “We have a reputation as being a good show.”

Even so, there are sometimes last-minute changes in the artist lineup.

For many, the Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is the last show of their season, Venezia said. Those who have done well with sales all summer may chose not to participate due to low inventory. In those cases, she said, the vacated spots are filled with artists on the waiting list.

Attendees include individual art enthusiasts and buyers purchasing pieces on behalf of corporate clients. Prices, she said, range from as little as $20 to pieces that can cost thousands of dollars.

“It's a huge price range,” she said.

This year, 14 media categories will be represented including acrylic and oil painting, ceramics, wood, drawings, digital art, mixed media and print making.

“We try to keep the show balanced. We don't want any one medium to override the show,” she said. “We also try to keep the same number of artists in each category.”

Among the returning artists is George Ceffalio, a Glen Ellyn painter who was awarded Best of Show in the 2015 Riverwalk Fine Art Fair.

Ceffalio said he does original oil paintings, mostly still lifes.

“It's a Dutch master style,” he said. “I do have some landscapes, but there are just a few.”

He said he exhibits at several fairs each summer.

“The Riverwalk is definitely my favorite. This'll be my eighth year there. There are so many artists from around the country that want to get in that show,” he said. “The people are very receptive. The buyers come out. I've heard that about 80,000 people come out. That's phenomenal.”

The fair, launched in 1986, is a fundraiser for the Naperville Art League, a nonprofit organization that offers classes and art shows at its gallery, 508 N. Center St., and promotes interest in artistic expression.

“This is the event that keeps our doors open at the Naperville Art League Gallery. We depend on this,” Venezia said.

The two-day fair will feature performances by the DuPage Symphony Orchestra at the Riverwalk Amphitheater on the southeast corner of Jackson Avenue and Eagle Street. Also performing will be Allegro!!!, a group of Suzuki musicians from the Naperville Suzuki School and the Western Springs School of Talent Education, Venezia said.

In addition to the artists' exhibits, Venezia said representatives from about 10 businesses will host booths at the event. Among those will be the DuPage Children's Museum, where children's activities will be available, and a vehicle display from Cadillac of Naperville.

Riverwalk Fine Art Fair

<b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17 and 18

<b>Where:</b> Jackson Avenue between Main and Eagle streets, Naperville

<b>Admission:</b> Free

<b>Info:</b> <a href="http://napervilleartleague.com">napervilleartleague.com</a>