Art fair paints pretty picture of Naperville

The recent completion of a renovation project along a portion of the Naperville Riverwalk has the Dandelion Fountain and its surroundings looking spiffier than ever. And just in time.

This weekend, the fountain, the covered bridges and the walkways along the DuPage River will get a bit of a coming-out party, courtesy of the 23rd annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair.

"It's kind of the kickoff of the renovated Riverwalk property," said Debbie Venezia, fair chairwoman and executive director of the Naperville Art League, which sponsors the fair. "With the fall colors and the art work, it's really going to be stunning."

The top 145 of 880 applicants to the juried show will set up booths and tents along the Riverwalk and on Jackson Avenue between Main and Eagle streets.

"They kind of request where they want to be," Venezia said.

While several artists, many of whom travel from all over the country for the show, will be new additions, many are returning exhibitors.

"The artists kind of become part of the family," Venezia said, "I always look forward to seeing them."

The fair will feature oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, pastels, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry and fabric art.

"We try to get a nice balance. We try to even it out with all the media," said Laura Rivas, president of the art league's board of directors. "The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair is rated one of the best outdoor art fairs in the country. Naperville is a community that appreciates this kind of festival and appreciates the quality of artists we have from around the country. It's very special if you find a piece of art that speaks to you."

Venezia said artists get plenty of room to set up their displays.

"We want the artists to feel comfortable," she said.

Space between displays also works to the visitors' advantage.

"If it's too cramped, you don't appreciate the work of the artists," she said.

This year, Michigan artist Bruce Holwerda's work was chosen for the fair banners affixed to city light poles along Washington Street.

Venezia describes Holwerda's "large format" paintings as "very fun, exciting, (full of) motion."

Fair posters feature the work of Villa Park artist Eddie Corkery, a Naperville Art League member.

"His work, it's so soft, it's very personal. You look at it and you get a feeling of serenity and warmth," Venezia said.

And Native American artist Mark Fischer's work, a likeness of his metal horse sculpture, was chosen to grace postcards promoting the fair. Fischer, of Germantown, Wis., is a member of the Oneida Nation of Green Bay and is making his Riverwalk fair debut, Venezia said.

This year's fair will include exhibits from Little Friends, a Naperville-based organization for developmentally disabled people, from Clay Space, a Warrenville ceramics studio, and from Celebration of Peace, she said.

Also the DuPage Symphony Orchestra and the Allegro String Performance Group will entertain.

Vendors will serve food in the parking lot on the corner of Main Street and Jackson Avenue, Venezia said.

If you go

What: Riverwalk Fine Art Fair, sponsored by Naperville Art League

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21

Where: Naperville Riverwalk and Jackson Avenue between Main and Eagle streets

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 355-2530 and napervilleartleague.com

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