Artéculture multimedia show part of West Chicago's Blooming Fest

Artéculture, a multimedia pop-up art show, will showcase work by new and emerging artists Saturday, May 20, as part of West Chicago's annual Blooming Fest.

An initiative of the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, Artéculture encourages new artists to exhibit their work in the creative space at 103 W. Washington St. and to share their talents with the thousands of visitors who will be downtown to celebrate spring, gardening and community. Artists wishing to participate may find the online submission form at westchicago.org under Residents/Forms and Applications.

"Based on the quality and variety of artwork at last year's event, I don't think there will be any shortage of artistic expression at Artéculture again this year," said Rosemary Mackey, West Chicago staff liaison for the Cultural Arts Commission.

"Visitors to Blooming Fest should definitely plan to make a stop at 103 W. Washington, which is just adjacent to Main Street and the larger garden-focused festival."

The art show will be open throughout Blooming Fest, which runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20, in downtown West Chicago.

A preview of Artéculture is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 19. Headlining the preview evening will be visual artist Lewis Achenbach and guest jazz musician Juan Pastor and his band Chinchano. The innovators will team up for a live performance of Jazz Occurrence, a sensory encounter that combines jazz music and art into one experience.

Jazz Occurrence, founded and produced by Achenbach, is a blend of sonic and visual art. His website says, "The Jazz Occurrence is a documentary in progress, combining concert footage, painting performance, audience reaction, musician interviews and animations."

Achenbach is a well-known artist in the Chicago community as well as in DuPage County. In addition to his regular art shows in the area, he has volunteered on the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, led art workshops for children, and guest taught art classes at nearby elementary schools.

Achenbach is packaging his Artéculture Jazz Occurrence appearance in a summerlong series of events throughout Chicago and the Western suburbs. For information about future performances, visit lewisachenbach.com/.

Guest musician Juan Pastor and his band Chinchano fuse modern jazz with the deeply soulful folk rhythms of Pastor's native Peru. Featuring pianist Stu Mindeman and bassist Patrick Mulcahy, the ensemble is driven by Pastor's drums and percussion, often employing the Peruvian cajon. The band performs original music composed by all three musicians that explores a variety of South American styles. To hear a sample of the music, visit chinchano.bandcamp.com/.

Blooming Fest also will include crafters, live entertainment, food, family fun and the West Chicago Garden Club's annual plant sale. For information, visit westchicago.org/city-events/blooming-fest/.