11th annual St. Charles Art Show to feature student mosaics

Fine arts isn't limited to professional artists - at least, not in St. Charles this weekend.

Among the paintings and sculptures on display at the 11th annual St. Charles Fine Art Show will be several mosaics, designed and executed by local elementary and middle school students.

"We want kids to be enthused about the arts," Elizabeth Bellaver, a Fine Art Show committee member, said. "The more kids who have the opportunity to use their creativity, the better."

Students from Norton Creek Elementary School in West Chicago and Haines Middle School in St. Charles had the opportunity to work with Pam Maxwell, a professional artist, to design the mosaics which will become permanent installations in their schools.

The mosaic that will be on display at Haines will commemorate the school's upcoming 50th anniversary.

"It really is outstanding that we were able to get enough support to make this event happen ... in what is clearly a difficult economic environment," Bellaver said. "I think this really speaks highly of the people within the community."

According to Joyce Simkus, an art instructor at Norton Creek, several fifth-graders contributed to the design of their school's three garden themed mosaics.

Maxwell will use the designs from both schools to create the mosaics, which the students can sign up to decorate between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday during the show.

"It's going to be a neat experience (for the students), working with a mosaic artist," Simkus said.

Bellaver also expressed her enthusiasm about the students participating in the project.

"The energy is just palpable; (the students) are fired up having such a great time," she said. "This is going to be dozens of kids who will be able to say: 'I did that."

About 100 artists will also be displaying work at the show. Buyers and visitors will have an opportunity to see paintings, jewelry, sculptures, photography, and ceramics for display and purchase.

Located on First Avenue between Route 64 and Illinois Avenue in downtown St. Charles, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free and free parking is also available in city lots close to the event. For more information please visit: www.dtown.org.

If you go

What: St. Charles 11th annual Fine Art Show, a juried show featuring the work of over 100 artists, many of whom are local

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 23 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24

Where: First Avenue, between Route 64 and Illinois Avenue, St. Charles

Cost: Admission is free; parking is available in nearby city lots

Info: dtown.org/events/fine_art_show.asp

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