Village promotes local artists with Bloomin' Buffalo Grove initiative

A new art program is about to take flight in Buffalo Grove.

Bloomin' Buffalo Grove is an initiative of the Buffalo Grove Arts Commission. It features works produced by artists in the community, amateurs and students as well as professionals, said Carol Berman, the village's liaison to the commission.

Professional artwork such as painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography will be displayed and available for purchase from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, at Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Buddy Baseball, a game played by individuals with disabilities. The proceeds will also support arts programming in the village.

"Our goal is to promote art any way we can," said Berman, and judging from the birdhouses that were on display at recent Buffalo Grove village meetings to promote the upcoming event, she means it.

The birdhouses were painted and embellished by professional artists, students and members of the community.

One birdhouse is a collage of signs and logos associated with the village, including the sign welcoming motorists to the village. Another birdhouse is painted with Chicago motifs, including the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Cubs and Sox.

Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra personally designed a birdhouse with an attached fire engine replete with flashing lights, sirens and other sound effects.

Rice, split peas and birdseed cover another birdhouse designed by a professional artist strictly for the birds.

The birdhouses probably will be priced between $25 and $60, Berman said.

Berman said the Arts Commission members asked artists exhibiting at the last Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival if they would consider donating a piece of art.

"The community has been so supportive of this program," Berman said. "With the economy the way it is today, so much of the arts programming has been cut from the schools (and) from the Illinois Arts Council, (which) has not obtained the funding that they have in years past. Our goal as the Buffalo Grove Arts Commission is to try and promote art within our community as much as possible."

Anyone with questions can contact the Office of the Village Manager at (847) 459-2518 or e-mail bgarts@vbg.org.