2017 Libertyville Festival of the Arts at Cook Mansion
2017 Libertyville Festival of the Arts at Cook Mansion
Libertyville's 37th Annual Festival of the Arts will take place August 5th and 6th 2017 centrally located in Cook Park across from the noteworthy Cook Mansion. The Cook Mansion was built in 1878, and retains its original Victorian style.
This year's Judge of the Festival of the Arts is Susan Anne Russell, who is an artist, professor, actress and author. Although Susan is originally from NYC and has lived and studied in Chicago for number of years, she has made Lake County her home since her twenties.
Though Libertyville Festival of the Arts is not as widely known as Chicago's Old Town, Gold Coast or Bucktown Art festivals, Libertyville draws highly talented artists utilizing various mediums with a diverse group of artists in genre, age, level of study, and background. The show's promoter is the David Adler Music and Arts Center.
This year the show will draw close to 5,000 attendees, with 70 booths and $200 in cash prizes. There will be live music, children's activities and food vendors. This weekend show will occur from 10AM-5PM. The genres displayed will include showcased works of photography, painting, mixed media, jewelry, glass, and 3D artworks.
The Festival of the Arts is a group of artists who come together to exhibit and sell their work. Susan Anne Russell will be the judge, of best of show, and will award certificates and ribbons to the individual areas and disciplines. Having sold and exhibited her art to galleries and collectors from Milan to Chicago, Susan herself is a dedicated artist.
Having graduated from School of the Art Institute with her BFA and Columbia with her MA in Interdisciplinary Arts, Susan has been an artist since adolescence. As the author of "Exposing Yourself To The Performing Arts" two of Susan's sepia paintings are included in the book. The textbook is published by BVT out of California, and can be found in the museums and libraries internationally, inclusive of Oxford, Harvard and Yale.
Susan's work has been accepted into Miami Spectrum, New York Biennalle and other major art shows represented by galleries. As a professor for over a decade, Susan loves exhibiting work and knows the inner workings of the art scene. Having had solo and group shows throughout her career, one of her most memorable was at the Adler Mansion in 2013. Susan is a regular artist at Adler. This summer she taught a Bon Voyage class and she has sold her art at the annual Prohibition themed Auctions, which help support and fund the maintenance and advancement of the historical grounds and Mansion built by David Adler.
Additionally Susan is an Art history and Performing arts professor since 2005. She
teaches Pop Art and Impressionism at the Highland Park Art Center and has been a member of the Chicago Artist Coalition and other art affiliations and groups throughout her life.
"I am looking forward to viewing an array of work featuring the best talent Lake County has to offer. I am a firm believer in the artists and their individual vision. I know everyone who has entered the show, is dedicated to their art form and it will be an honor to observe such an abundance of high quality work. The selection process will be based on craftsmanship: artist's skill in the use of material; use of appropriate technique for medium, originality, creativity; uniqueness of style and overall visual Impact: quality and presentation.
Using this format will allow me to arrive at the Best of Show.
I am looking forward to a great turn out and the best talent on display in the Midwest. It is my hope that this show attracts visitors from Chicago and the suburbs who are seeking the historical experience that Libertyville has to offer. Libertyville is filled with shops restaurants, and taverns that give it a timeless feel. During the summer, Libertyville Festival of the Arts is a rare pearl."