Art in the Barn a picturesque affair
Country landscape paintings are very popular. Almost everyone enjoys an image of nurturing barns dotting a grassy field. Add a few brush stokes ferreting in children frolicking the day away, a pumpkin patch and farm animals, and it's a masterpiece.
The poetic scene above will jump right off the canvas and become reality if you attend the 33rd annual Art in the Barn show this weekend in Barrington.
Amid the work of more than 160 artists from around the country, families can enjoy live music while grabbing a brat, dog or malt.
Kids can visit a children's art tent, decorate pumpkins or take a pony ride.
"It's one of the nicest events in the Chicagoland area because the setting on the campus of Good Shepherd Hospital is one of rolling hills and green grass," said Sherry Tomasko, the event's co-chair. "We have set up a pumpkin patch with corn stalks and hay bales."
The event started out in the mid-1970s with 30 artists. It has since grown to more than 160 artists and is attended by more than 7,000 people. Over the years, Art in the Barn has generated more than $2 million for programs at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital.
"The money goes to whatever programs the Auxiliary of Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital pledges to," said Bonnie Bixby, who has been involved with the event for more than 26 years. "This year, the money is earmarked for the cardiac care center."
Bixby said the art will be housed in historical barns that once belonged to Quaker Oats. However, she indicated the real highlight of the affair is the artists.
"Last year, one of our artists had cancer," she said. "He was about 87 and his dying wish was to be in the show. He was going through the cancer program at the hospital and wanted to do something to help the cancer ward."
There's something for everyone at Art in the Barn. Offerings include sculptures, oils, watercolors, mixed media, photography and jewelry. Fox River Grove artist Sandy James is bringing both jewelry and sculpture to the show.
"I do botanically themed jewelry and sculptures," James said. "I use actual leaves I cover in cooper. Then I put green or bronze colored patina on them."
James collects the leaves for her creations, including maples and oaks, from forests, nurseries and yards. She is glad for the recycling opportunities.
"I'm a long-time gardener and I'm really into the environment," she said. "This is a way to recycle and show the beauty in nature."
Her jewelry collection includes barrettes, earrings, pins and pendants. She will be accepting special order requests at the event, as she has in the past.
"After her grandma passed away, one lady had me make six leaf pins for her sisters out of their grandma's ivy plant," James said.
If you go
What: Art in the Barn 2007
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Hwy. 22, two miles west of Hwy. 59, near Barrington
Admission: $5 adults, children under 12 free
Call: (847) 842-4496