Prairie View Arts show to feature more than 25 artists

More than 25 new and returning regional artists will be featured - along with live entertainment - at the Prairie View Arts Invitational next month in Naperville.

The fine arts fair will run from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 7, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church, 1828 Old Naperville Road.

Organizers say the fair is designed to bring creative people together in a way that supports artists and musicians. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Youth Outlook, which supports LGTBQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) youth in the community.

The Friday night opening sale and reception is free with complimentary champagne and snacks. Coco's mobile taco truck will be in the parking lot for those who want something more substantial.

Music starts with live piano performances from 5 to 7 p.m. and folk duo Ally & Owen from 7 to 9 p.m.

The art raffle to support Youth Outlook will run Friday night until 4 p.m. Saturday, when names will be drawn and winners can pick up their art.

Members of Youth Outlook will be on hand throughout the show to answer questions about their mission.

The art show and sale continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. A bottomless soup bowl lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a donation. More than 10 different kinds of soup will be served.

The 25 artists who will be displaying their work are hand-picked and range from emerging artists to fine craftspeople who have been creating, selling and teaching others their skills for 40 years.

The show also will feature award winners from 2016, including Cindy Sampson, who was awarded Best in Show and Artists Choice awards. Sampson creates stunning mixed media wall pieces from found images and items.

Another award winner, Amy Taylor, is returning with her wearable hinged jewelry pieces. Estelle Serena, a weaver who creates colorful and durable handwoven rugs out of scrap from fabric mills, also will return.

New artists this year include Cory McCrory, an instructor and local potter from Sandwich, who creates whimsical and functional work; painter Mollie Cranch, who will show her layered paintings of botanical forms and wildlife inspired by nature, meditation and motherhood; and Three Bee's based in Bartlett, who will sell local honey and handmade Bee Well bath and beauty products.

Admission is free. For details, visit prairieViewarts.com or www.facebook.com/Prairieviewarts.