Barrington launches new festival with mix of local, national artists

Amdur Productions mounts high-end art shows throughout the summer, from Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove, to the Gold Coast and North Shore.

This weekend, however, the company introduces a new entry into the circuit: the Barrington Art Festival.

"It's different than any other show I've done," says Amy Amdur, whose namesake company is based in Highland Park. "There's an interesting mix of local and world class artists, showing side by side. Plus, the strong music component gives the people of Barrington something special."

The inaugural art festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Cook and Station streets, near the Metra train station in the heart of downtown Barrington. Admission and parking are free.

In all, more than 140 artists will be featured, in a variety of media, including ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, photography, watercolors, and wood.

They range from New Mexico-based sculptor Fred Prescott, whose larger than life animal sculptures have to be forklifted in; to gold jewelry sculptures by Robert Trisko, of St. Cloud, Minn.

Barrington area artists include Sue Daly, whose pen and ink house portraits will feature some of the village's iconic buildings.

"Every piece of art is for sale, with all different price points that start at $20, and go to $200, $2,000 and even $20,000 from one of Prescott's sculptures," Amdur said.

An "Acoustic Café" will offer live music throughout the fest, while children will be able to roll up their sleeves at the debut of the "Paint a Wall" attraction.

Members of Barrington's new Cultural Commission planned the Memorial Day weekend show, saying that ever since the Barrington Area Arts Council folded three years ago, residents have been feeling a void.

"There are lots of artists in this area looking for a place to put art and looking for more opportunities," said commission member Susan Russo of Barrington. "This show has created a lot of energy and opened up new opportunities for artists to collaborate."

In December, Russo and other local artists formed the Barrington Cultural Arts Center. They hold classes at Citizens' Park in Barrington, and in July will host their second annual "Art in the Park" event showcasing their work.

Fifteen of the artists with the Barrington Cultural Arts Center will have their own tent at the show, where each will have a panel offering their pieces.

"It's really exciting," said Russo, a stained glass artist. "This is a large scale show with a reputation of drawing a lot of people who like to buy art."