Spooky fun in Elgin: Something Wicked exhibit opens Oct. 4 at Side Street Studio Arts
Side Street Studio Arts, at 15 Ziegler Court in downtown Elgin, will open its seventh annual monthlong visual art exhibition "Something Wicked" this weekend.
Originally developed in conjunction with Elgin artists John LaFleur and David Metzter, "Something Wicked" will feature 40 artists working in a variety of media, whose subject matter is meant to instill a combined sense of wonder, awe, and perhaps a little dread.
The exhibition kicks off with the First Friday Opening Reception from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. The event is open to the public and there is a $5 suggested donation at the door.
Featured artists include BaM! (Bruce Bachelder and Mike Rende), Daniel Burke, Erin Cramer, Rhiannon Hunter, Karl Jahnke, Eric Kraybill, Julie Mars, Metzger, Janelle O'Malley, Chris Palm, Jason Phillips, Erin Schreiner, Mary Sweeney (Horror Floral), and many more. Additionally, Oddball Art Labs' Mobile Art Machine will be on-site for the duration of the exhibition.
Other activities include Drop-In Small Wonders for young artists aged 5-12, in the theater from 4:15-6:15 p.m. for a $5 suggested donation at the door. This monthly event features a variety of creative visual and performing arts activities, led by SSSA's professional artist-educators. And, First Friday in the Lab will run from 6-9 p.m. This month the Lab will feature Halloween-themed projects for all ages, including on-site screen-printing of Something Wicked T-shirts. Participants are welcome to bring their own shirt and print for a $5 suggested donation, or grab one of SSSA'S for $10.
"Since opening in 2013, Something Wicked has been one of our most successful events," said Erin Rehberg, SSSA founder and executive director. "The spooky fun of the visual art combined with the brewing energy of downtown Elgin in October, leading up to Nightmare on Chicago Street, makes the whole month such a wonderfully wicked time."
SSSA was founded by Tanner Melvin and Rehberg in 2013 as a nonprofit outlet for the Elgin arts scene. Side Street provides educational and creative resources and an inclusive space, run by artists. Side Street's mission is to support the artist and artistic journey through collaboration.
Something Wicked will run in the gallery through Oct. 27. Free gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. For information on Something Wicked or any of SSSA's programs, call (847) 429-2276 or visit sidestreetstudioarts.org.