Festival of the Arts has long history in Libertyville
The David Adler Music and Arts Center is presenting its 32nd annual Festival of the Arts Aug. 4 and 5, in Libertyville’s historic Cook Park.
During the last several years, the festival has hosted work of artists exhibiting from across the country. The festival also presents various musical groups and a variety of children’s activities.
The David Adler Music and Arts Center has been hosting the festival to preserve the legacy of the original Libertyville Art Club, founded in memory of David Adler by Adler’s good friend Herb Ruud.
On Sept. 23, 1949, 24 artists met at the home of Frederick Penny on Second Avenue in Libertyville to form an art club. Ruud gathered the group of enthusiastic artists and continued to hold meetings on the second floor of the village hall.
Ruud served as the first president, with Penny as vice president and Marjorie French Ruud as the secretary/treasurer.
The aim of the newfound Libertyville Art Club was simple: encourage and aid anyone interested in painting and the allied arts. The club started providing the community with painting sessions with live models, classes in all media for adults and children, exhibitions, and demonstrations by well-known artists.
As the club continued to prosper and grow, the Adler house became the official home of the Libertyville Art Club. The hope for this move was for the club to continue to stimulate and encourage art in the area and to maintain the Adler house primarily as an arts center and also as a community center.
In August 1953, the Libertyville Art Club held the first Libertyville Art Show, now known as Festival of the Arts. The first exhibit drew more than 300 pieces from various working artists around Libertyville.
Today, The David Adler Music and Arts Center holds the responsibility of continuing the Festival of the Arts. The show is organized by the center’s four administrative staff members, who strive to preserve the legacy of the Libertyville Art Club’s mission: to stimulate and encourage art in the community.
As a not-for-profit organization, the David Adler Music and Arts Center relies solely on the support of individuals in the community to maintain its programming and special events, such as Festival of the Arts.
For more information on the 32nd Annual Festival of the Arts or to submit an artist application visit www.adlercenter.org or call (847) 367-0707. The David Adler Music and Arts Center is at 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville.