New address and exhibit at Fine Line in St. Charles

Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles is getting ready to unveil its brand new entrance and new address: 37W570 Bolcum Road. All the hard work, from the first spade of dirt to the final touches, has come to fruition.

Come celebrate the completion of this major project at Fine Line from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 21, at a “Bricks & Brats” party. The event’s official ribbon cutting will take place at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Enjoy live music by Flight With Monsters throughout the evening. Tickets are available online or at the door.

“This project has been in the works since 2009,” said Lynn Caldwell, director of Fine Line. “For the first time in our history, Fine Line will have an address, a sign, and a driveway that all coincide.”

Fine Line, which has been at its current location since 1986, has had to restrict some of its offerings over the years due to zoning restrictions and limited parking availability.

“We’re here by special use (permit). In order for Fine Line to grow, we need to expand our hours. Because our entrance is through a subdivision, the county hasn’t been able to do that for us,” Caldwell said.

In addition to greater visibility and easier access, the new entrance will also provide Fine Line with the opportunity to offer weekend workshops as well as host more students on campus.

A handcrafted wrought iron sign, made under the direction of Fine Line instructor Dan Caldwell, will grace the new entrance upon completion. This entrance replaces the rather hidden and sometimes difficult-to-find entrance of Twin Silos Road.

The public is invited to “Bricks & Brats.” Tickets are $20 each in advance and $25 at the door, and include dinner and two drinks. Purchase tickets online at www.fineline.org/.

You can be a part of this project and honor someone in your life at the same time. Donate toward the remaining construction costs of Fine Line’s new entrance and parking lot with the purchase of a custom engraved brick that all can enjoy for years to come. Information is available on Fine Line’s website and at “Bricks & Brats.”

Small Expressions exhibit

When you think of weaving, you can’t begin to imagine what’s on display at this year’s Small Expressions exhibit, presented by Handweavers Guild of America, which opened in St. Charles June 1 and runs through Sept. 7.

Each year, HGA chooses a different location in the United States for this show. Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles is thrilled to host this annually juried exhibition this year.

A range of weaving techniques, such as basketry, dyeing, needlework, beading and more, have been incorporated into remarkable works of art by 31 weaving artists from 17 states and three countries.

Three artists from Japan each have a piece in this year’s show, including the mesmerizing “Twistingle” by Noriko Tomita, that won second-place in the show’s opening night judging.

In first place is the complex “Ceremonial Semblance: It’s in the Cloth,” by Tori Kleinert of Kentucky.

Laura Foster Nicholson, the juror of this year’s show, also presided over the judging at the opening reception.

“The winning piece represents the cross-cultural ethnicities in the weaving world,” said Lynn Caldwell.

Every piece in this show is one-of-a-kind, and all are smaller than 15 inches.

“This is an interesting juried show. (Laura Foster Nicholson) said the artists use regular, traditional materials as would be used for much larger pieces. Adapting them for this size is a challenge,” Caldwell said.

Each unique piece in this year’s Small Expressions show is captivating and stands on its own. Together, these works of art create an unparalleled exhibit worth coming to see at Fine Line Creative Arts Center.

Fine Line Creative Arts Center offers adult art classes, including: basketry, braiding, dyeing, and felting; ceramics classes in wheel throwing, hand building and sculpture; drawing, printing, collage; fine metal work, lampwork beadmaking, blacksmithing, fused glass, and more. The gallery is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. For details, visit the website or call (630) 584-9443.