Prairie Arts Festival returns Memorial Day weekend
A 5-foot photo of the Roman Forum, with the historic Coliseum in the background, serves as a sure-fire draw for patrons interested in photographer Jim Rasmussen's work.
The detailed shot will stand on display outside Rasmussen's booth at this weekend's Prairie Arts Festival, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and featuring more than 150 crafters and artists.
"It's my biggest selling scene," says Rasmussen of Mount Prospect. "There is so much detail in it and, for most people, it reminds them of when they were in Rome."
Rasmussen makes a living selling his photos of cityscapes and European scenes at art fairs across the country. Last weekend, for instance, he was at a show in East Lansing, Mich.
However, each Memorial Day weekend, he returns to the Prairie Arts Festival in Schaumburg, one of the first shows where he exhibited.
"If the weather is good, it's a well-supported show," Rassmussen says. "And for an artist, it pays to come back. The show draws some very serious shoppers."
Schaumburg officials say attendance can vary, depending on the weather, from 5,000 to 10,000 people over the two-day run.
This year they will find a mix of ceramics, drawings, fiber arts, blown glass objects, jewelry, mixed media, paintings -- including watercolor, acrylic, oils and pastels -- as well as photography, pottery and sculpture.
"The biggest increase in artists applying into the show has been in jewelry," says Roxane Benvenutti, Schaumburg's special events coordinator. "But we try and keep a good balance in order to offer a wide variety of fine art."
John Latko of Schaumburg serves as volunteer chairman of the fest, expanding on his role as a Schaumburg Cultural Commission member. He says the event draws patrons for its setting and atmosphere, as much as it does for its artists.
"The fest is located on the beautiful grounds of the Schaumburg Municipal Center, so attending the show is like taking a stroll through the park," Latko says, "while meeting artists, admiring their artwork, listening to live musical performances, having a picnic lunch and maybe going home with a piece of original art."
The venue will offer more than 15 food vendors, with everything from traditional pizza, burgers, hot dogs and brats, to Greek food, Chinese dishes and Indian specialties.
Shoppers will find live music playing continuously on three stages at the festival, performing a mix of jazz and folk, to acoustic guitar and African music played on a stringed kalimba.
Schaumburg officials believe the Prairie Arts Fest is the only one of its kind going on over Memorial Day weekend in the Northwest suburbs, with only one they know of going this weekend in St. Charles.
Consequently, it continues to hold a unique place in the community as a local tradition and entertainment destination over the long holiday weekend.
If you go
What: 21st annual Prairie Arts Fest
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Schaumburg's Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, Schaumburg Road and Summit Drive
Cost: Free
Call: (847) 895-3600 or www.prairiecenter.org
Entertainment
SATURDAY
10 a.m. Mueller Group (jazz), south stage
10:30 a.m. Karen Banaszewski (harp), west stage
11 a.m. Steven Suvada (guitar), north stage
1 p.m. Patchouli (folk/jazz/world), south stage
1:30 p.m. Andy Young (Hammered Dulcimer), west stage
2 p.m. Greg Herriges Duo (eclectic acoustic), north stage
SUNDAY
10 a.m. Kurt Michaels (electronic), south stage
10:30 a.m. Greg Herriges Duo (eclectic acoustic), west stage
11 a.m. Kalimbaman (original music for African kalimba), north stage
1 p.m. Mueller Group (jazz), south stage
1:30 p.m. Steven Suvada (guitar), west stage
2 p.m. Patchouli (folk/jazz/world), north stage