Wine, art merge in new Itasca festival

During a vacation to Scottsdale, Ariz., Itasca Trustee Ellen Leahy saw something she knew she simply must bring home.

She stumbled upon an art festival that also celebrated the best of local vineyards. Leahy decided to propose a similar event in her hometown.

After about a year of planning, that event will come together for the first time starting Friday, Sept. 25, and running through the weekend as Itasca launches its Fine Arts and Wine Festival, dubbed "Benches on Parade."

"The (Arizona) fest was a great success. I loved it and thought it would be a great thing to bring to Itasca," Leahy said. "The art and wine together - you don't usually see that - and I thought it would be something to attract people to Itasca over all the other art shows out there."

The juried fest will feature 70 artists from the area and around the country showing their work in Usher Park, near the gateway to the newly created River Walk, Iris Plaza. They will showcase and sell a variety of media, including ceramic arts, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography and sculpture, and will compete for $5,000 in prize money.

Five Illinois wineries also will offer tastings throughout the weekend: Owl Creek Vineyard, Waterman Winery and Vineyard, Hailey's Winery, Berryville Vineyards and Itasca's own Wine with Me featuring World Wines and Lynfred Winery.

"I certainly want it to be very, very successful," Leahy said. "I wanted the event to be especially good for the artists and wineries, because without them we really don't have an event and we want them to come back every year."

The fest's namesake, "Benches on Parade," stems from 15 painted benches that were decorated by artists participating in the event, as well as residents. Leahy said the benches, recycled from storage of unused village items, showcase the creativity of area residents.

They will be on display in Usher Park starting Friday and available for purchase via silent auction throughout the weekend. Winning bids will be announced at noon Sunday.

On Friday, as part of the fest, village leaders will host a ribbon-cutting to officially open the Itasca River Walk, a nature trail that runs behind the park district and municipal complex as well as past the nature center.

They also will rename Line Street as Gigi Gruber Lane, to honor the 12-year village president who stepped down last spring.

Other activities for the weekend include a sidewalk chalk artist and art activities for children, who can draw or paint still lifes on easels and hang them to dry. Leahy said she hopes it will instill art appreciation in future generations of fest-goers, since the Itasca Fine Art and Wine Festival is slated to become an annual event.

"I think that will draw in children and I think it is important to teach children the love of art," she said.