Libertyville to show works of art among the roses

Get ready for a little extra artistic flair in downtown Libertyville this weekend.

Organizers say the David Adler Festival of the Arts is expected to attract about 8,000 people.

"Residents will be exposed to a quality of artwork they might not normally see everywhere," said Chris Madsen, program director of David Adler Music and Arts Center. "Instead of going to an indoor gallery to see different mediums of art, the art festival is a good way to enjoy artwork outdoors."

Awards for Best of Show and Best of Category will be given between the 3D functional, 3D nonfunctional, two dimensional, jewelry, painting and photography visual art medias.

Around 70 to 75 artists traveling from across the country will have their artworks displayed in booths along the walkways of Cook Park's rose garden.

Ronald Lewis, from Austin, TX, is one participating artist.

"It's my full-time job to travel around the country selling at art shows," Lewis said. "It can take me only and hour or up to a day depending upon the piece of art I am creating."

Art spectators can expect to see Lewis' creations of tree and dragon sculpture and jewelry; bracelets; pendants; and free-flow bronze people, frogs and trees. Lewis also carefully handicrafts and welds a variety of sterling silver rings fitted with semiprecious gemstones ranging from amber to birthstones. He also works with a mixture of metals, such as copper and 14 karat gold.

"I don't use casts or molds when crafting my artwork," Lewis said. "I'll usually start off with an idea and then it could turn into something entirely different. The end product is always a surprise."

On a more local level, Laurell Pottery Works in Lake Villa is bringing high-fired stoneware and pottery pieces.

Inspired by the 1920s American Arts and Crafts movement, George and Elise Laurell have been working with pottery for the past 10 years. Both of them incorporate a natural and environmental perspective within their artwork. Many of their botanical pot designs are interwoven with carvings of acorns, maple and oak leaves, grape vines, lizards, frogs and dragonflies.

"Each of our pots are unique and one-of-a-kind pieces," George Laurell said. "Between wedging the clay, throwing on the wheel, trimming, altering, carving, applying decorations, bisque firing and glazing, it can take up to three to four days to create an entire pot."

All of their pottery pieces are dishwasher, food, freezer, liquid and oven safe.

Other artists at the art festival will sell a variety of water color, acrylic and oil paintings; fine woodworking; copper, steel and bronze sculpture; hand carved North American rock art and even woven Swarovski crystals.

Festival organizers gathered in April to review each of their artistic entries. Acceptability was based upon quality and marketability of the artist's product.

"The quality of the artwork at the David Adler Art Festival will be very high," Madsen said. "We encourage people of all ages to come out and view the art."

David Adler's Festival of the Arts

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday

Where: Cook Park, Milwaukee and Cook avenues

More info: www.adlercenter.org