'Anything goes' for these artisans at Kaneland fest

Getting children to sit still and focus on a project is an art.

Yet, art teacher Pam Maxwell had no problem holding children's attention Sunday as she taught them the art of printmaking at the annual Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival at Kaneland High School.

"Art is a good activity to get kids to slow down and be involved in a series of events," Maxwell said as she inked a roller to make a custom print.

Printmaking was among many hands-on art activities for children.

The festival also featured professional artists giving demonstrations, including painters, potters, jewelers, sculptors and photographers.

Musicians and dancers provided entertainment, and artwork by Kaneland School District students of all ages was on display.

The popular festival attracted a large crowd to the school.

"It's great to be able to expose the kids to the different art materials," said pastel painter Mel Thompson of Oak Park. "It's amazing how receptive so many of them are."

Thompson offered some advice to a young aspiring artist: "The most important part of being an artist is to draw everyday. The hardest part is deciding when a picture is done - when you've said just enough."

Ceramic artist Cory McRory of Sandwich displayed her fanciful creations, including teapots with feet and automobiles with railroad cowcatchers.

"I like to see when people are walking by and they're not expecting it," McRory said. "I get a lot of smiles."

Fiber artist Lynne McNulty was methodically knitting a sweater, carefully lining up the seams.

"To put a sweater together is a lot of number-crunching," McNulty said. "The stitches and rows have to come out to the right number or I've done something wrong."

As for the colors of the yarn that McNulty chooses for her wearable art, there are no limits.

"You have to be bold and daring," McNulty said. "Anything goes."