Browse the works at Art in Wilder Park event
Chloe Underwood took a break from chatting with festivalgoers at Junkstock, a vintage art event held last weekend roughly 20 miles west of Omaha, Nebraska, to talk about her art and one of her next art fair stops - a two-day run at the Art in Wilder Park event in Elmhurst.
"We primarily focus on paper goods - posters, greeting cards, prints," said the Yorkville artisan, who with her mother, Sandy, heads Untamed Roots, a business that offers handmade treasures.
The duo turned what started as a fun diversion into a thriving enterprise.
"We have always enjoyed doing projects. We started doing small craft shows. Now, this is what we both do full time. We're kind of self-taught," she said. "We're on the road about every month."
Underwood will be one of more than 100 artists exhibiting and selling their work at the Elmhurst festival this Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5.
"Many of the artists have been doing my show for many years," said show founder and presenter Roz Long. For the 23rd annual show, artists will be traveling to Wilder Park from as far away as Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and California.
The Underwoods will be making their second appearance at the Wilder Park show.
"Last year was our first year," Underwood said. "I was blown away at the number of people she brought in there."
Long bills the show as a "marketplace of unique art" that regularly draws about 10,000 people. It includes live music, children's activities, food vendors and opportunities to explore the historic Wilder Mansion.
The juried show will include art in a variety of media, including jewelry, mixed media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, painting, glass, fiber art, printmaking and wood.
A pop-up exhibit of top artists from elementary and middle schools in Elmhurst Unit District 205 will be on display inside the Elmhurst Art Museum, which will waive admission fees this weekend.
"In the kids' court, we have some really fun activities. A 9-year-old artist will have pages for kids to color," Long said.
Long said a henna artist will do demonstrations, an art teacher will create mini paintings and a group will work on a mural while, nearby, food trucks will offer typical fair food along with several gourmet selections.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days, acoustic musician Scottie Long will perform inside the mansion, while School of Rock performers will be outdoors.
Prices for the artwork range from modest to extravagant.
"I have a couple artists that sell paintings for $2,000. We also have crafts that are $8. I have about 20 percent new artists," she said.
The nearby Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art will be open and will offer free admission, plus a "gold panning" event for children, weather permitting.
"This is definitely a cultural arts destination. If you take the train you're only a block from the park," Long said. "We have people who come and spend the whole day and evening. We have so many people that make it an annual family affair."