Fox Valley arts group celebrates 50th
In February of 1958, 11 women (including a member of the women's board of the Art Institute) met for lunch at the Dunham Woods Riding Club in Wayne to discuss bringing the cultural programs of the Art Institute to suburbia. They named themselves the Wayne Geneva Community Associates.
In 1965, the group changed its name to the Fox Valley Associates because members came from a wider region.
Today, the group boasts more than 300 members and its affiliation with the Art Institute remains strong.
The Fox Valley Associates of the Art Institute is celebrating its 50th anniversary by inviting the public to hear Geoffrey Baer of WTTW Channel 11 present "Exploring the Fox Valley" at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Baer is an Emmy Award winning producer best known as host of programs that tour areas in and around Chicago.
According to Roger Tilbrook of St. Charles, chairman of the publicity committee, the group is also celebrating by donating $5,000 to the Art Institute's Building of the Century Campaign for the new modern wing.
"We've been putting the money away bit by bit for years, looking forward to our 50th anniversary," Tilbrook said. "It's been a little trickle, not a flood."
The groups sponsors monthly programs from September until April that typically include a lecture - often by an educator from the Art Institute - and lunch. Most programs are held at the Dunham Woods Riding Club where it all began and are open to the public for a fee.
Topics can range from painting and sculpture of a certain period to local architecture. The group also receives three free lectures at the Art Institute. On days when the group goes into the city, the program may include a bus tour of one of Chicago's more interesting neighborhoods, and always lunch at a Chicago restaurant.
True to the mission of promoting Art Institute programs and the study of art in general, the group supports art volunteers in the classroom and portfolio night, which highlights artwork of local high school students. The group awards a scholarship each year to one of the students to study at the Art Institute. Also, the associates support the art insights program, a series of presentations to senior citizen groups.
The bond to the venerable Art Institute appear stronger than ever.
"Our chair and two program people go to the managers meeting at the Art Institute the second Monday of the month," said Pamela Tilbrook, Roger's wife. A member for 10 years, she is membership chairwoman and a past president. "It's a way of communicating. And it's a treat because we go to a lecture by a curator in the morning, have lunch and then our business meeting."
Membership in the group includes being a member of the Art Institute of Chicago.
For information, call Pamela Tillbrook at (630) 443-0313.
If you go:
What: "Exploring the Fox Valley with Geoffrey Baer" presented by the Fox Valley Associates of the Art Institute to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Baer is a host and producer at Channel 11.
When: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17
Where: Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles
How much: $15 at the door