Geneva hosts 23rd Arts Fair this weekend

Geneva’s Third Street will feature 140 artists for the Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd annual Arts Fair this weekend, officials said.

The fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, featuring a variety of media, including painting, photography, jewelry, fiber art, sculpture, pottery, woodwork, ceramics, and glass.

Among the artists is Craig Roderick from Jasper, Alabama, who features flower photography using a technique called light painting. The subject flower is illuminated from different directions with LED light in a darkened room, then multiple exposures are layered to achieve the final image, according to his website.

It will be Roderick’s second time at the Geneva Arts Fair.

“Last year we did the show in Geneva on a recommendation from another artist,” Roderick said. “I’d never been there before. I was so impressed with the downtown area. And the people who ran the show were extremely well-organized. The show was small enough not to be overwhelming.”

Another artist, Ali Hasmut of Park Ridge, was born in Babylon, Iraq, before coming to the U.S. in 2000.

Hasmut graduated from the University of Fine Arts in Baghdad in 1997, moved to Jordan, and worked with two galleries presenting oil paintings of portraits, still life, landscapes and figures, according to his website.

Hasmut said he now focuses mainly on cityscapes.

“I like the cityscapes in the rain and reflections of the light when I walk in the city in the rain,” Hasmut said. “I take photos and see which photos I can make my artwork from. So I start with a photo.”

The list of artists and their work is available on the Chamber’s website at genevachamber.com.

A standout feature of the event is a floral installation at the Arts Garden, at South Third and Franklin streets.

Plandscape Inc. of Elburn sets up a 30-foot in diameter circle of a garden setting, said owner Todd Selin.

“We’ll have trees and benches and a musician to do live entertainment during the event,” Selin said.

There will be live performances from musicians from noon to 2 p.m.

Also offered is a free children’s art workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday on Franklin Street behind the information booth.

On Saturday, Water Street Studios of Batavia will host a firefly craft or drawing project.

On Sunday, the Geneva Foundation for the Arts will host artist William Estrada to show how to create a screen-printed tote bag.