Easy on the eyes: Art festivals return this weekend to Barrington, Schaumburg
Art lovers can browse the work of hundreds of fine artists this weekend, with the return of the Prairie Arts Festival in Schaumburg and the Barrington Art Festival.
Barrington
The Barrington Art Festival returns for its 10th annual event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 25-26. The festival runs along Cook and Station streets in downtown Barrington. Admission is free.
“The Barrington Art Festival has become a community treasure during the last 10 years,” says Amy Amdur, president of Amdur Productions, which produces the show. “Adding art to Barrington's already charming downtown, which is filled with fantastic cafes, boutiques and restaurants, only enhances the village's appeal as a must-visit, must-see weekend destination.”
The festival will showcase the work of more than 130 juried artists from around the world in a variety of mediums. Discover artists offering ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, painting, sculpture, leather, furniture and more. Find a unique piece of art to add to your own art collection, home, office or even your wardrobe.
See the work of local artists, including Barrington residents April Graves, photography; Michaele Lulik, 3-D functional art; Beata Krupa, jewelry; and Al Buschauer, photography.
Attendees will be able to interact with artists through demonstrations and booth chats. There will be live music and kid-friendly activities, such as the graffiti wall, as well as food and drink vendors such as Lisa's Italian Ice, McGonigal's Beer Booth, Drift, El Campeon, Taquizas el Poblanito and more. For details and list of artists, visit www.amdurproductions.com.
Schaumburg
Art, music, food, and more combine to please all the senses at Schaumburg's Prairie Arts Festival, set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26. The festival, now in its 32nd year, offers a relaxed outdoor setting on the grounds of the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, where families can enjoy original works by 120 artists while enjoying live music on stages placed throughout the grounds.
Visitors can view and purchase art in a variety of media including digital, drawing, fiber, furniture, glass, graphics, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media 2-D, mixed media 3-D, painting (including watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastel), paper, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculpture, and woodworking all crafted by the artist. The juried show will award cash prizes to artists winning best of show, second and third place, along with eight merit awards.
Families with children can also stop by the arts and crafts activity tent sponsored by the Schaumburg Park District.
A palette of tastes will be provided by food trucks serving up sandwiches, tacos, barbecue, hot pretzels, ice cream, Italian ice, beverages, and more.
How about an art show within an art show? The Prairie Plein Air Competition and Show, featuring works painted in the last month depicting Schaumburg landscapes and landmarks, can be seen over the weekend in the Herb Aigner Gallery in the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts (located on the grounds).
Festival admission and parking are free. The festival is held rain or shine.
For details, call (847) 895-3600 or visit www.prairiecenter.org.