Long-running fair bringing art to Naper Settlement
More than 100 artists will display their works this weekend when the 55th annual Naperville Woman's Club Juried Art Fair returns to Naper Settlement.
The fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the settlement's 12-acre grounds at 523 S. Webster St.
"A lot of people like that they can walk around downtown and they also get to walk around and see the settlement," club President Janet Coffey said. "It gives them a nice day to spend looking at different art pieces and also looking at different buildings."
Club members say the fair began in 1959 in Naperville's Central Park behind the group's home in a historic building at 14 S. Washington St.
"Through many years of consistent dedication to promote art awareness and appreciation in our community, the Naperville Woman's Club has the longest-running art fair in Illinois," Roxanne Lang, art show director, said in an email.
The event has grown to feature local and national artists who will be competing for ribbons awarded by three judges in categories including ceramics, drawings, glass, fiber, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, sculpture and wood carving.
Works will be for sale and donated pieces from most artists will be up for bid at a silent auction Coffey will be running at the Pre-Emption House. But watch out - if Coffey sees something that catches her eye, like the photograph she bought last year of colorful leaves shot in Minnesota, her name might show up in a bidding war, too.
"Every year, my husband says I buy too many pieces," Coffey said. "But I always look for something unique and different."
Art enthusiasts who want to learn as they browse can watch artists demonstrate glass blowing, use of a pottery wheel, drawing and painting. Kids can get their creativity on at the Petite Picasso tent, where they can experience painting and working with clay.
Speaking of clay, the material is the star of the event's charitable element, called the Empty Bowls project, Lang said.
"The 'clay people' from ClaySpace of Lisle have created many beautiful bowls, mugs and plates for the 'Empty Bowls' fundraising booth," Lang said. "Proceeds from the sales at this booth go to combat hunger in local food pantries."
Proceeds raised from the art fair as a whole also will be donated to food pantries. Last year, Coffey said the club gave $6,200 to the pantries at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and Loaves & Fishes Community Services.
Admission and parking for the art fair are free. For details, visit napervillewomansclub.org or call (630) 209-1246.
If you go
What: 55th annual Juried Art Fair
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13
Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
Who: Sponsored by Naperville Woman's Club
Cost: Free admission and parking; art for sale
Info: napervillewomansclub.org or (630) 209-1246